I finally got to meet with M5s state caseworker and learned the nitty gritty about her case. I found out why she's been in care for so long and why she was initially removed. Domestic violence seems to be the over riding factor in her initial removal and the reason why she's still in care. There have actually been 3 failed reunification attempts so far! As far as I know that is practically unheard of. As it stands now, the case goal is still reunification with birth dad. Given his history of both domestic and child abuse, I'm not sure how he is even being considered as a candidate, but that's what the state wants at the moment. The amount of domestic violence M5 has been exposed to in her short life just blows my mind. Her initial removal came about because birthdad put her in the back seat of the car unrestrained at 18 months old and then proceeded to run birthmom over with the car multiple times and then get out and kick and punch her some more just to make sure she was thoroughly beat up! Add that to the most recent abuse of his girlfriend's baby and I just can't believe he is being considered suitable for reunification. This explains a lot about why M5 is so averse to physical touch. Not only has she been witness to birthdad's repeated abuse of birthmom, but also the abuse of birthmom's most recent boyfriend toward birthmom. UGH! I am really interested to get to meet all of these players in person.
M5 is settling in pretty well. She has a ridiculous visit schedule though so I don't see her a ton during the day. That's a shame. She could really use some positive interactions. She and Lion have slipped into a fairly easy sibling relationship. They bicker and fight as well as play nicely together and both seem to be happy about sharing a room together. M5 is pretty cautious about Scarecrow. Makes sense now that we know what she's seen other men do to her mom. He's making it his mission to slowly, but surely work his way into her heart.
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