State to remove rights from custodial dad of severely malnourished son (Miami, Florida)

Once again, we see the horrible results as the rights of mothers and children are sacrificed to those of abusive fathers. The mother of this 7-year-old boy basically lost custody because of the recession and the lack of social support for single parents or low-income parents of any sort. Florida's Department of Children and Families decided--given its total infatuation with fathers rights--that this boy would be better off with dad ROBERTO FORTIN, a man who had been previously connected to the neglect death of another infant, than with Mom. And now we see the horrible results of this father infatuation policy. A child who is "mentally and physically scarred for life." A child who was not allowed to see his mom, thanks to Daddy's coercive control stuff. So much for "shared" parenting. Thank you, Daddy. And thank you, DCF.

http://cbs4.com/local/Father.Accused.Neglect.2.1893517.html

Sep 2, 2010 4:39 pm US/Eastern
State To Remove Rights From Dad Of Neglected Son
Gary Nelson

The state moved one step further in its attempt to remove parental rights from the father of a 7-year-old boy who was hospitalized due to severe malnutrition last month.

At a hearing at Miami-Dade Circuit Court Juvenile Court Thursday, the state provided testimony from a Miami Children's Hospital physician who described the severity of Roberto Fortin Jr.'s injuries.

He has a terrible staph infection and sores that "penetrate to the bone," the physician said in court.

He added that the child would be "mentally and physically scarred for life."

The father – 30-year-old Roberto Fortin – said nothing in court. The child's biological mother – Ana Santana – also said nothing during the hearing, but told CBS4's Gary Nelson after the hearing that she hopes to get her son back.

Santana said Fortin -- who had custody of their son -- had purposely kept the child away from her. She added that Fortin had no business taking care of a child after an incident five years ago. That's when their 9-month-old son drowned in the bathtub after Fortin allegedly left him unattended to take a nap.

Officials with the Department of Children and Families would not comment on why Santana was not granted custody.

Santana has said she lost custody of Roberto because she lost her job at the time and custody was given to his grandmother. Two years later, in 2007, a judge decided that the father should be awarded custody, after a home study by DCF and after determining that the 9-month-old son's death was an accident.

For now, the child remains hospitalized at Miami Children's Hospital and will be allowed visitors from aunts and uncles approved by DCF.

The child's stepmother -- Yoselin Mercedes Aguirre – was also at the hearing hoping to restore custody of her 4-year-old son. She and Fortin both face one count of child neglect.

Aguirre allegedly told authorities that she didn't care for Fortin Jr. because he wasn't her son and that it wasn't her responsibility.

No official action was taken today. The next hearing will be held on September 7th.

Fortin ultimately rushed the boy to Miami Children's Hospital after the child's heart had stopped.

Police said the boy also had lesions all over his body and pieces of flesh were "actually falling off," Delrish Moss of Miami Police said.

She said that in Florida, residents are required to report abuse if they suspect that it is happening. You can remain anonymous. It could save a life, she said. Just call 1-800-96-ABUSE.