Many Connecticut parents today face raising their children in a world of diversity and acceptance. Understanding the limitations and differences of others and embracing and supporting them for who they are has been a viewpoint for many. Unfortunately, there are still those who see a cognitive or physical disability as a hindrance to parenting. When one parent suffers a psychological or cognitive disability, child custody can be an uphill battle, as one couple in another state has recently discovered.
A father with an IQ of 66 and a mother with an IQ of 72 were recently deemed mentally incapable by the state in which they live to raise and parent their two small boys. State child welfare has declared that for these two parents, their limited cognitive abilities could interfere with safely parenting their children. After removing both boys from the home, the state placed them in foster care, and they are now up for adoption.
Although no evidence of abuse or neglect has been found, the parents have still lost custody. Family and friends, as well as a state legislator, have spoken out on behalf of the parents. Disability advocates argue that IQ does not determine parenting capacity, and over 20 years of research supports this fact.
Child custody cases can be a long-drawn-out series of events. For those who may not completely understand the steps, the process can be downright overwhelming. For parents who live with a cognitive or psychological disability, the deck may be stacked against them with regards to the outcome of a child custody case. A skilled Connecticut family law attorney can help a parent understand current state law and assist the client in finding an agreeable child custody outcome.
Source: desertnews.com, “This couple may have lost custody of their kids because they weren’t smart enough”, Eric Schulzke, July 31, 2017