x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by IQ12 with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Sun, 5 Oct 2014 13:43:12 -0400 thread-index: Ac/gw9VAmdT8puUjRPKhFePTBufPng== Thread-Topic: Oconee County DSS From: To: Subject: Oconee County DSS Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2014 13:43:11 -0400 Message-ID: <7B3B0380EB944B0C94415677758F5A73@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 05 Oct 2014 17:43:12.0011 (UTC) FILETIME=[D55FE5B0:01CFE0C3] CUSTOM Mrs Pamela A Oakes Oconee County DSS 165 Earls Mill Rd Seneca SC 29678 pamelaoakes@att.net 864-247-9293 WELF Oconee County DSS My son has contacted the Oconee County DSS to report possible child neglect/child abuse against his son and was told unless there is scarring or a deep laceration then there is nothing they can do. My grandson's mother was granted custody while my son has visitation. I am outraged by this remark from DSS. In June I had went to my grandson's school and reported that he has bruising on his back (which I have pictures of along other bruises, ear infections gone without treatment and a burn on his back all within the past 3 or 4 years) and when we asked him where this bruising came from he told us from his mother's fiancé. Just last weekend when meeting with my grandson's mother for exchange he went into a tantrum when he saw his mothers fiancé in the car and started yelling he didn't want to go because Cory was in the car. We were invited to Grandparents day at his school this year and were greeted by a woman in the front office who was furious due to my grandson being late for school almost everyday and in fear that they were going to contact a truance officer. We have had a lawyer to help my son get visitation, needless to say this was very expensive. My son and my grandson's mother were never married and there is a lot of drama that led up to this point that I don't have enough lines to explain but let me give you a short background of what we are dealing with. My grandson's mother lied about my grandson's health when she finally told us he was our grandson (which I have proof since this was all done via email), is a recovering meth addict and living with a recovering either drug addict or alcohol addict, she was also arrested for check fraud. Now you can do a background check on both her and my son and see who the better parent would be. Why should he have to go to the expense of another lawyer up to $10,000 when we have reported possible neglect or abuse and it go without being investigated. This is why so many children in SC are either beat almost to death or die due to DSS not investigating these cases. I am originally from NY and up there DSS investigate all calls that come into them. Why is this not the case in SC? I am outraged that my grandson has to get scarred or have a laceration in order for someone to investigate my grandson's fears along with ours!! My son pays $118 in child support each week, she is on government assistance and she still can't afford to buy my grandson clothes or socks, my grandson comes to us with no socks. I can totally understand making a parent get a lawyer if there is no proof of possible neglect or abuse. When a call comes into DSS of possible neglect or abuse then there should be an investigation with no questions asked. I thought DSS was there for the welfare of a child?? When did this change?? The way I see it, DSS is all about getting the lawyers more money. We try to do the right thing and we get slapped in the face.