Treated like criminals, the 14-year-old is held down and handcuffed while the other, a nine-year-old, is dragged, screaming from the only home she has ever known.
In a disturbing incident captured on video, armed police forcefully removed two children from a foster home, despite their strong desire to remain there. The heart-wrenching scene was recorded by distraught family members who witnessed the event unfold. The footage shows a 14-year-old girl being held down and handcuffed while her nine-year-old sibling is dragged, screaming, away from the only home they have ever known. Both girls are visibly distressed, crying, and pleading with the police to leave them alone.
The shocking turn of events raises the question of how such a situation could have escalated to this extent. The two girls, along with their two other siblings, had been under the care of the foster parents for eight years. However, six weeks ago, the two middle children expressed their desire to be moved to another home, citing the strict rules imposed by the foster mother. Despite the two other siblings wishing to stay with their foster parents, the Department of Child Safety decided to remove all four children and place them in different homes.
Criminal defense lawyer Michael McMillan, who is representing the foster parents, condemned the actions taken by the authorities. According to Mr. McMillan, the eldest sibling ran away from her new placement and returned to the original foster home. When the youngest child followed suit, the department called the police to forcibly remove the children. Mr. McMillan expressed his outrage, describing the police intervention as disgraceful and reprehensible. He emphasized that the girls did nothing more than express their desire to remain with the people they love.
The distressing footage also stirred emotions in Queensland opposition MP and child safety advocate, Ros Bates, who was brought to tears by the incident. Ms. Bates criticized the child protection system and called for a complete overhaul, asserting that the involvement of the police in a situation that should have been handled differently by the Department of Child Safety is indicative of a broken system. She stressed the importance of considering the best interests of the children, who simply want to be loved and be part of a family.
While a spokesman for Queensland Police defended the actions of the officers involved, stating that tactical techniques were used to restrain the girl before she was eventually handcuffed, a spokesman for Queensland’s Department of Child Safety described the forcible removal of children from a carer as a rare occurrence that only happens as a last resort.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and demands for a thorough investigation into the handling of the case. The role of the criminal defense lawyer, Michael McMillan, in representing the foster parents highlights the need for legal advocacy and protection in such challenging situations involving child custody and welfare.
Need help?
If you or someone you know found themselves in a similar situation, do not hesitate to contact Michael McMillan or call directly on 0409273430.