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A Father’s Reunion: A Story Of Hope From Pittsburgh Mercy Health System And A Child’s Place At Mercy
A year ago, my life changed. I received a call from Allegheny County Children Youth and Families about my twin daughters whom I had not seen or heard from for almost eight years. They were babies when their mother took them away. She had been traveling for years under assumed names, living in shelters and strangers' homes. It wasn't until they reached an Allegheny County shelter that I would learn the reality and extent of the situation.
According to the staff at the shelter, their mother was overheard threatening physical harm our daughters. The specific information provided was that Mom "threatened to cut off the girls' legs if they tried to run away." The girls were immediately removed, taken into custody and placed in temporary foster care.
While in foster care, the girls disclosed sexual and emotional abuse by their mother and reported never knowing me, their father. They admitted to never visiting the dentist, never taking any medications, and having multiple food restrictions in place by their mom. They were taken to A Child's Place at Mercy where they were forensically interviewed, developmentally evaluated, and physically examined.
The forensic interviews uncovered both emotional and sexual abuse by their mother. The developmental evaluations revealed above average intelligence, and the physical exams showed low body weight and dental problems. My daughters were referred for further medical evaluations.
After months of court proceedings, I was reunited with my daughters, first for short visits and later I was awarded custody of both girls; their mother was criminally charged for her abuses. The girls have moved in with me and we are making a new and safe life here, together.
C.B., proud father of beautiful twin daughters.
For more stories of hope, visit www.pmhs.org and www.mercybehavioral.org.
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