Story
The father is a single parent of 4 children ages 7-13. These children have been removed by DCS in the past from their mother and experienced abuse and neglect in the foster care system. Their mother passed away in early 2023. The father was able to complete services and maintain housing to have the children in his care. The father has his own childhood struggles with growing up poor and experiencing abuse as a child and wants better for his kids. Although the care of the children is minimal, the children love their father and seem happy. The father has been working full time at Burger King for several years and made a connection with an elderly, disabled lady who has shared her home with him. This woman is like a Grandmother to the children, but has her limitations. The father has struggled to meet the children's basic needs but is resourceful and does the best he can. Recently the family was without electricity and water for a couple of months just when the summer heat came. The home condition is small and minimally adequate with clutter and old furniture. The 4 children share an old, filthy queen size mattress in one room, causing them to have ongoing lice and hygiene issues. The children would benefit from having a clean, comfortable sleeping arrangement with sheets and pillows.