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Thursday, October 19, 2000

Mom with disorder fights for her baby
Child welfare officials say seizure problem poses a risk to 11-month-old child
By Deborah Martínez
Caller-Times
Dallas Helms hasn't slept in her bedroom since her baby daughter, Saundra Faye, was taken from her home and placed in foster care in May.
   The 24-year-old mother said she'd rather sleep on her couch than face a night alone without her only child, who turns 11 months old today.
   But whether her baby comes back home to her depends on a Nueces County court, where county attorneys and Child Protective Services caseworkers argue that a neurological disorder Helms has suffered since she was in a car accident at 18 months old endangers Saundra.
   "There are other people that abuse their kids, other people that are on drugs, and they still have their kids," Helms said. "I just have seizures. I love my baby. Do you think if I didn't love her, I would be fighting for her?"
   At a hearing today, Nueces County Court-at-Law No. 5 will review an expert's evaluation of Helms. An evaluation already filed in court documents last week, on behalf of CPS, says the state's concerns are legitimate.
   In that evaluation, Philip Gasquoine, a neuropsychologist, indicated Helms suffers from a seizure disorder and has poor motor and cognitive skills.
   He said she has poor insight into her own disabilities and giving her sole custody would put the child at risk.
   "A third party guardian, such as a responsible family member, is felt necessary to provide some adequate level of supervision for both mother and child," Gasquoine wrote.
   In a previous hearing, Court-at-Law Judge Carl Lewis said that CPS should find a way to help Helms raise her child rather than taking Saundra away. But Lewis, who is suffering from a stomach illness and could not be reached for comment, is not expected to preside over today's hearing. District Judge Robert Blackmon is handling Lewis' cases this week.
   Helms has no immediate family support, though she has two brothers in the area.
   Her mother, for whom Saundra is named, was killed in the car accident that left Helms with her injuries.
   Her father, who Helms says is retired and travels the United States in his mobile home, has been in Corpus Christi since last month to help Helms, she said.
   Other mothers with similar handicaps, CPS officials say, live with family members who can help them.
   Helms said she suffers stress every day, wondering what new milestones she's missing in her daughter's life.
   On Wednesday, Saundra's foster parents gave Helms a photo of her baby standing on her own. It won't be long before Saundra begins walking, Helms said.
   "I don't understand why they're doing this to me," Helms said Wednesday from her home, hours after a supervised visit with Saundra, whose pictures were scattered around the apartment's walls. A playpen, baby stroller and stuffed animals were the home's main décor.
   Officials with CPS declined to discuss the case. But in court documents, the agency argues the head injuries Helms suffered in the car accident weaken her parenting skills.
   The documents also say Helms is neglectful of her child, sometimes forgetting to feed her or change her diaper.
   On at least one occasion, the documents allege, Saundra fell to the ground when Helms suffered a seizure.
   Neighbors at Helms' apartment complex said they will help their friend, whom they described as a doting mother who cries for her daughter.
   At least three neighbors have committed to checking on Helms to assist her.
   "The kids around here really love her," said next-door neighbor Mary Garcia.
   "She's a good mother. This is very wrong. I've seen her feed her baby, clothe her baby all the time. That baby is always dressed. You know how you see some mothers who just keep their kids in diapers? Not Dallas. Saundra is going to be a 1-year-old in November. She needs her mother."
   It is not clear if a custody decision will be made at today's hearing.
   Helms' court-appointed attorney Caroline L. Bertuzzi, could not be reached for comment.
   "I'm lonely without my baby," Helms said. "CPS says they're afraid I'll have a seizure and drop my baby. I hadn't had a seizure for more than a year before they came around.
   "They're stressing me. If they would just leave me alone and give me my baby back, those seizures would go away."



Staff writer Deborah Martínez can be reached at 886-3618 or by e-mail at martinezd@caller.com

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