Protest in Machester trafford courts

Parents unite in the protest to open family courtsYouTube mum will fight to keep baby
By Sarah Kelly
THE woman who secretly recorded social workers telling her they would take away her unborn baby has vowed to fight to keep her child.

Heavily-pregnant Vanessa Brookes, 34, of Bradley View, Holywell Green, taped a conversation with Calderdale Council staff who said they would apply for her child to be taken into foster care as soon as it was born, claiming there was a risk the child would be emotionally abused.

Mrs Brookes has four other children. Two have been adopted, one is being cared for by his father and one is in foster care.

As reported in the Courier, the recording appeared on internet site YouTube with a desperate plea from Mrs Brookes to be allowed to keep her baby.

Calderdale Council is taking action to have the taped conversation removed from the site.

Mrs Brookes says she and her husband Martin, 41, will contest any court action.

"What they're
doing is barbaric and draconian," said Mrs Brookes.

"I should be excited about the birth but I've had all that taken away from me."

Mrs Brookes says she would be happy to have social services staff visit her at home to monitor the child's care.

A council spokesman said: "Following legal advice, we are taking action to have this item removed from YouTube, as we believe this to be against the Data Protection Act, since this recording was made without the knowledge or consent of our member of staff.

"We also have concerns that, because it involves court proceedings, it could prejudice child protection and safeguarding outcomes.

"The council does not take lightly any recommendation to the court for a child or a baby to be brought into care.

"For the sake of safeguarding the child, the council must take every action to ensure that these court proceedings are not jeopardised."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Demonstration
• kidnapped
• forced
• adoption
• family
• law
• judges
• solicitors
• social
• services
• child
• abuse
• Courts

[foreveryoung5]

They had some eyesight problems and were hyper active, her parents are blind and she is partialy sighted, they have just said she is not as capable as you or I and they would be better off away in care etc. All this mum needed was some support and given a chance with a bit of home help and a nanny. Now all are screwed up

[anniemac36]

OKay ...this is my question. Why were the other four children removed from the home? If she abused the other four children in some way or put them in danger I can understand.