Sacramento Failed Matthew Hernandez

What sort of despicable creature kills their son in cold blood with a hatchet? Only a monster– pure evil that is incomprehensible to the rest of us– could murder their own child.

Matthew Hernandez

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Monsters exist everywhere. No part of the world escapes heinous acts from the vilest of criminals. The gruesome end to 9 year old Matthew’s life is a tragedy, one that could have happened anywhere, in any region or country. Killer Philip Hernandez could have been a resident of Delaware or Texas or North Dakota, anywhere besides California. Yet as grieving mother Jessica Hernandez will tell you….the state of California does not always act in the best interests of its most vulnerable population.

Cases such as Jessica’s are the extreme, but her allegations [evidence blatantly ignored in the courtroom, denial of basic rights, various forms of discrimination, etc.] echo throughout the state, a common denominator amongst far too many cases. Between Family Court, Child ‘Welfare’ Services, and the foster care system– something is very wrong here.

Jessica Hernandez and her two sons
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The undeniable truth: Sacramento courts failed Jessica Hernandez and her son– at the cost of the young boy’s life. A judge chose to disregard crucial information and that irresponsible decision cost a family dearly. She’s not the first judge to do so. Nor will she be the last. To whom are these authority figures judges, social workers, civil servants answering? Other than contesting a verdict via the appeals process, what choice does one have when they know something is wrong? Why must children suffer at the hands of adults supposedly entrusted with their protection?

REFORM AMONGST THE FAMILY LAW COURTS, CWS, AND FOSTER CARE IS IMPERATIVE– THE NEED IS URGENT AND THE TIME IS NOW.

Hotel California

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My Christmas tree remains standing, fully decorated with presents unopened. It will not come down until Adam comes home. Whenever that may be….

Nothing says ‘welcome home’ like my internet from Charter not connecting. Praise God for my new iPhone [thank you, Mom & Dad, for your loyal patronage to AT&T that enabled this 99 cent purchase!] so I have an outlet for all that’s on my mind. My thoughts are so jumbled I don’t even know where to begin.

Yesterday at noon I boarded a plane in Memphis. After stops in Houston and San Francisco [worthy of its own post] I finally arrived in San Luis Obispo. Upon walking into my apartment everything felt surreal. Like some sort of deja vu time warp. I always imagined this moment as Adam eagerly flinging the door open and skipping into the living room as I bring a swaddled Tatum into our cozy home. Instead, my infant daughter is 2500 miles away, the state has custody of my son, and I am more alone than I’ve ever been.

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The overwhelming pain of losing one child to the system is surpassed only by losing two children to the system. I had to sacrifice my son to save my daughter. Can you even imagine such an impossible, heartbreaking choice? I must save my strength to keep fighting for Adam. Tatum is safe, that thought so comforts me. Yet we are in three separate households and that is unacceptable. As a mother this is absolute agony. Here I am without either Adam or Tatum. One is five minutes away, the other on the opposite side of the country, but both feel beyond my reach. Pictures and phone calls barely sustain me.

God, hear my prayers. Give Adam comfort as his confused mind does not understand my absence. Let Tatum continue to flourish…despite me leaving her merely three weeks after her birth. Help Mom & Dad continue to provide her with the best possible care. Allow me the strength, courage, and faith to navigate the nightmare. Please reunite my family soon.

It should come as no surprise that the organization who shall not be named is punishing me for my decision to protect Tatum…they are dangling the threat of starting the parenting plan all over again. How much more can they destroy our family? Will this ever end? All I want to do now is resume work at the church, get a second job in retail, continue to advocate for my family– and be the best absentee mom I can possibly be.

Even if I could type a million words a minute I wouldn’t come close to saying everything that needs to be said. There are so many people in both Memphis and California I need to thank– Mom & Dad, Brandi, and Theresa especially though that’s just the short list– but that will be a joyous entry created when I have full laptop capabilities.

For now I sit in an apartment far too big for me. Alone. Completely alone. All of the company in the world couldn’t fill the void in my heart. I would do anything for my kids to be in my arms. Adam and Tatum, Mommy loves you so much.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane

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Mountaintop

Eerily prophetic of his assassination the following morning, I find comfort in these powerful words.  Martin Luther King Jr. inherently understood that the end was near.  He made peace.  I have yet to find such peace– and I’m still trudging to the summit– but these words never cease to inspire me.  What exactly are you doing with your life?  Are you living up to the legacy you want to leave behind?  How are you being the change you wish to see in the world?

Anger.  Breaking Bad.  Bible Study.  Fantastic News.  Motivation.  There is so much I wish to discuss.  But alas, I am exhausted.  Goodnight everyone.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane

Valentina Tereshkova, sterilization, and kick ass geriatrics

Alice’s Bucket List

A terminally ill British teenager decided to make a blog with her ‘bucket list.’ Thanks to the generosity of countless individuals and organizations, so many of her wishes have come true. These are the stories that warm my heart….but when I hear there were impostors pretending to be Alice and her mother it made my blood boil. How disgusting. Shame on those lowlifes.

Let’s make this an uplifting endeavor– even if you are unable to contribute financially or mail an cheerful card to Alice, consider becoming a bone marrow donor. BeTheMatch.org is great place to get started. I am proud to be on our national marrow registry and also a blood donor. Please consider doing something easy, cost efficient, and virtually painless that can save lives.

Adventures in Feministory: Valentina Tereshkova, Outer Space’s First Lady

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that I’m obsessed with space. Another great passion of mine is Russia. Add to that my penchant for feminism and Valentina Tereshkova is one of my personal heroes. Read more about this incredibly lady who beat out more than 400 applicants to be the first woman in space.

North Carolina Faces Sterilization Program’s Legacy, May Offer Compensation

North Carolina is the only state trying to make amends to thousands of people who cannot have children because of eugenics-inspired theories about social improvement that ended almost four decades ago.  Why do we hear only of North Carolina making amends?  Forced sterilization makes me ill.

U.N. Council passes gay rights resolution

In what the U.S. State Department is calling a “historic step,” the U.N. Human Rights Council passed a resolution Friday supporting equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation. The resolution, introduced by South Africa, is the first-ever U.N. resolution on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.” We’re making progress…..

Freed Journalist’s Letter of Thanks to Amnesty Activists

Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev was released from captivity due largely in part to letters written on behalf of those for Amnesty International. In high school I was very involved with the group and hope to continue doing so in the near future. Your letters DO make a difference.

6 Old People Who Could Kick Your Ass

Remember in my previous post where I mentioned that awesome old woman? Don’t mess with her or any of her friends!

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane