(I said in this post that the Probable Cause hearing was when the treatment plan for the parent was determined. I was wrong; sometimes they both happen at the same time, but usually there is a separate Merits Hearing to establish a legal treatment plan.)
I attended the Merits Hearing this morning. I learned that it is best to attend court hearings if possible because you can learn so much about the case. This proved to be a challenge this morning as daycare was closed today due to torrential rains and flood potential; a previous co-worker that lives close to court was able to keep Tigger for me while I was at court.
What I learned is that it is not likely Tigger will be with me much longer. His neighbor has requested to be considered for official placement so they are completing an expedited home study (meaning it has to be done in the next thirty days). (At first, I wondered why she would call DSS about this child and then request to get him back; but I guess at this point he would still be in foster care and mom would have to follow DSS guidelines and supervision.) They are also completing a home study on Tigger's maternal aunt who lives in another state. It sounds like mom has requested that he be placed with the neighbor so that she can still see him. Dad is out of the picture and not capable of caring for Tigger. From everything the investigator said about the situation with the neighbor when Tigger was removed, I don't have any reason to believe she won't pass her home study.
I will be so sad to see him go, but glad that I went to court and learned that his leaving is a definite possibility in the near future so that I can prepare myself emotionally for that possibility.
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