Protest in Halifax

This protest was in support of a mother who has been told her baby will be removed from her 3 days after birth.
YouTube mum will fight to keep baby

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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."
Last Updated: 21 August 2007 10:32 AM

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

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

[foreveryoung5]

It appears lindamac that the vulnerable/disabled are the targets for LA's in meeting their adoption targets, they say why pay out when we can get paid by moving the child into the cattle market.

[kingkarlone]

Hey you can see my bike.

[lindamac]

Foreveryoung5 I agree with you also the DV impact has significantly impacted upon removal of children and adoption targets. I have done my homework in the data -bases.

[lindamac]

Foreveryoung5 who will represent her , she has rights as a human being and they have left a paper trail of errors and mistakes them . Tell her not to give up . This is so degrading and they call this 21st century ? treating a lady like this. Animals are treated better.

[lindamac]

Shanklinmike You try telling the general public all about taxonamy and re-classifying abuse that these SW's are carrying out in courts and they would not believe what is really going on . Then again it is all done in SECRET and done to the most vulnerable groups in society.

[foreveryoung5]

They stole this poor lady's child 3 days old locked her up in a cell for 24 hours and left her in her blood stained night dress. this is sick

[shanklinmike]

And it will always be used negatively, thanks for sticking up for it allowing this kind of abuse! Fucking socialists!

[lindamac]

Fair trial for this family please ! It is not a crime to be partially sighted. Let us use the welfare system and support this family to keep the baby. Is that not what this is all about inclusion ? for disabled groups of people? . There is nothing wrong with the law it is how you use it .