Hillsborough Guardian Ad Litem - Tampa, Florida

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We feel it's necessary to renew our review to warn others about the Guardian Ad Litem program in Hillsborough County, Florida, based on our firsthand experience. We witnessed rampant incompetence and a disregard for the well-being of children

A year ago, our family was fostering a child who was in the state's care. The child was thriving in our home and had expressed a desire to be adopted by us. However, Alicia Tarrant, a GAL Ad Litem attorney, and Trinette Drake, a Guardian Ad Litem, removed the child from our home against his will, our will, and the will of the professionals who were in his life on a daily basis.

The child's teachers, school administrators, school counselors, and therapists all advocated for him to stay in our home. However, the GAL program intentionally suppressed their voices, and even the child's own voice, in order to remove him from our home.

Trinette Drake and Alicia Tarrant falsely accused us of wrongdoing and worked together to take the child away from us. They made baseless allegations that we were coercing the child when, in reality, we were nothing but loving and supportive towards him. The GALs prioritized their own interests over the child's best interest and ignored evidence that the child was thriving in our home. We strongly believe that Trinette Drake should not be in her position, and we caution anyone who may have to work with her.

To address the person who commented that there must be more information, we agree. Trinette Drake had a personal mission to place the child with his older sibling, against a court order that separated them, despite this sibling having two failed placements and being in a home where physical fights and verbal arguments occur. Trinette Drake took the child from a safe and loving home where he was doing well emotionally and academically, causing him unnecessary trauma. This act was intentional, done before our six-month mark of placement, so we would have less legal standing.

We are deeply disappointed with the Guardian ad Litem program in Hillsborough County. Our experience has shown that the program prioritizes its own interests over the well-being of children. Directors Tabitha Lambert and Michelle Blume did not take any action despite our concerns, instead choosing to protect one of their own. Who are they to decide what's best for a child against the wishes of the child and the supporting professionals in their life? We strongly advise anyone considering fostering or adopting in Hillsborough County to limit their interactions with the Guardian Ad Litem program. Only set up the necessary monthly calls and do not provide any voluntary information, as there is no legal requirement to have a relationship with them.

We are also sharing our story in hopes that it will help to bring attention to the issue of false allegations in adoption cases. False allegations can have a devastating impact on families and children, and it is important that we work to raise awareness of this issue so that it can be prevented in the future.

Although we are moving forward and in the process of adopting two siblings outside of Hillsborough County, we will not give up fighting for justice for the child who was taken from us. We will continue to advocate for his rights to be returned to the loving home he wanted to stay in.

Stephanie Lytle

This organization exists to help foster kids. They make sure their needs are being met, they are checked on monthly, and they try to make this experience better for them. If you are able and willing, volunteers are needed. It is a rewarding experience to help these kids!

Angie Cupp

I am writing this and would leave a zero star for Trinette Blake after hearing that a child in her program under her care has been stripped of his voice even though he is speaking loud and clear! He has asked to go home (his home) with Jason and Ricky but no one is doing anything but writing notes at this point. Gal is not thinking of what’s best for this him he is old enough to know and tell me how many homes he has lived in before this one!! 21 that’s right I said 21!!
He now is loved and wants to love his parents Jason and Ricky back but people aren’t listening! I was just like him when I was 7, I am now 51 in a home of my own with a beautiful family because people spoke up for me! Please I beg you listen to this child ! He has a chance at a beautiful full life and to give back to this world in so many ways with this stable home. I spent time personally with him and saw good and happiness but now this lady is just letting the system fail him and cheat him for the 22nd time! Please give him back to Jason and Ricky and let him continue to grow in positive powerful ways he would not have otherwise! I am here, interview me! I will be his voice and I love him so much already! I am asking you to stop playing God and let this young man have a home he loves with people that love him! Just listen to him and do what’s best.

Juanita Price

The Guardian ad Litem program tries to put families back together. You have parents who are given help from the state to assist them in the reunification process. While the system may not be perfect things are in place to help parents who want to get their act together to get their children back. I found the judges to be helpful .They were willing to help parents who were working the plan to get their children back. An the case mangers are not uneducated, the parents do not want to attend parenting classes or put their children first to make reunification happen. the case mangers cant do the work for the parents.

Graham Jones

Helped our family in a time of need. Sad to see a directed smear campaign from a bunch of the same accounts.

There is no better representation for children existing in Florida right now. Even as Tampa's DCF falls apart (read the news), GALs have stepped in to give consistent care to kids, all out of love and for no money, but as volunteers. Even when we didn't see a case manager for months nor even could get a call back, we could always rely on the GAL program.

For those who wish to blame GALs, check yourself before you wreck yourself. GALs have very little power in the system. If the case managers, judges, attorneys, and all other parties agree to remove a child, there is a reason. And sadly due to confidentiality protections, they can't publically say why. But it is usually pretty grim.

Sharon Young-king

Don't believe all you read. I am sure this will be removed. Watch your backs as you have low educated case workers who;s main goal is to work with the State Atty and the judges of the 13th circuit court to remove children from the homes. and then place them with foster caregivers and then adopt them out. You have very little changes of getting your children back as I was told by a professional that the judges side with the Guardian Ad Litem and State Atty in condition of the child. Right, when the Targeted Parents is proven not guilty in the judicial system they will find untruths to keep the children away from the parents.

Saundra ONeal

The Gaurdian Ad Litem particularly Omodele Cordero is a child trafficker. Actually the entire program is rife with Criminality. The best interest of the children is the very last thing on these people minds. The money in their pockets is their only concern. The love of money is the root of all evil. Even with an emergency court hearing Against Them because my grandchildren have been consistently abused and molested by the foster care. My family has over 40 pictures of injuries to them since they were illegally removed from my custody. Where are my grandchildren Somewhere STILL being abused. Rick Scott is going to have to write Another executive order to pay my family the 14 million dollars these people are about to get sued for. The worst thing is that whoever is abusing the 4 year old granddaughter is doing damage to her face. What is the point of that? This whole system is the epitome of child trafficking. Money grubbing criminals all of them

Rodney McCrea

My impression of this organization after witnessing how the child’s wishes are completely ignored in the adoption process, is that their only concern is how much money they can milk from the State of Florida by not placing the kids they claim to represent.