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Olivia – 12 years old, receives special education services
Mark – 4 years old, attends preschool
Yolanda – 13 months old, may have developmental delays
Maggie – mother of all 3 children, Tribal member, 28 years old, unemployed
Franco – father of Yolanda, Mexican heritage, 39 years old, employed in food preparation industry
Olivia’s father – deceased
Mark’s father (Brad) – formerly in military, whereabouts unknown -
Protective Services Report
The Office of Children’s Services received a protective services report from the school that the oldest child, Olivia, age 12, reported she had witnessed a physical fight between her mother (Maggie) and her mother’s boyfriend (Franco) in her house the night before. She said at one point she saw Franco pull a knife and threaten to slit Maggie’s throat. Olivia explained she was up all night, trying to comfort her younger siblings, Mark, age 4, and Yolanda, age 13 months. This morning she left the house while her mother and Franco were still asleep. Olivia also told her teacher that Maggie and Franco fight and drink all the time. She also described what sounded like a meth pipe and used syringes on the coffee table.
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At 2:00 p.m. the same day, two OCS Investigation and Assessment workers went to the school and interviewed Olivia. From there, they went to the home and knocked on the door. After about 10 minutes, Maggie opened the door; she was disheveled, and had bruises on her cheek and arm. The home was in complete disarray, with chairs turned over, food spilled on the floor and empty beer cans scattered in the kitchen and living room. A pipe and several syringes were on the coffee table. There was no fresh food in the refrigerator and very little food in the kitchen cabinets. Olivia’s brother and sister both appeared frightened, dirty and hungry. Yolanda’s diaper was in bad need of changing. Mark had an open sore on his leg that looked infected.
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Franco came out of the bedroom, also looking disheveled, and demanded to know what the workers were doing in his home. Although he calmed down somewhat, he was fairly belligerent during the entire interview. Maggie and Franco downplayed the incident. They said there had been a party and others brought in the beer and then left without cleaning up. They adamantly denied the children were in any danger. They both refused to sign a safety plan.
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Prior OCS Involvement
The file indicates that OCS became involved informally with Maggie four years ago, after Mark was born positive for cocaine. Mark’s father, Brad, was in the military and left Alaska shortly after Mark was born. According to Maggie, Brad has made no effort to contact Mark, but he does pay child support. Maggie successfully completed an outpatient drug treatment program, and OCS closed its case.
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Other Background Information
Maggie is a member of a remote Tribe and has a large group of extended family members who live in the village, which is only accessible by air or water. Maggie was raised in the village, and became pregnant with Olivia when she was still in high school. Olivia’s father died in a fishing accident when Olivia was an infant; Maggie receives Social Security survivor’s benefits for Olivia. Maggie and Olivia moved to an urban area so Maggie could attend college, though she has not received a degree. Maggie met Brad in town, where Mark was born. She is active in her church, and is currently unemployed.
Franco was born in southern California where his parents were involved in migrant work. His parents are citizens of Mexico but have lived in California since he was born and are working on US citizenship.
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Other Background Information
Franco originally came to Alaska as a seasonal worker. Franco moved in with Maggie two years ago because he needed a place to live after his work ended and Maggie needed help with the rent. They became involved as a couple after a few months of sharing the home, and Yolanda was born a year later. Franco currently works in the food preparation industry.
Olivia receives special education services in her Middle School. Her teachers have been concerned about her due to her violent outbursts followed by silences and her poor school attendance. Mark shows no identifiable delays; he attends preschool in Maggie’s church. Yolanda may have some developmental delays, as she doesn’t crawl and rarely even babbles.