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Charges against mom are dropped
By the Times Staff
Published February 27, 2008
Charges of abandonment against a single mother who had given her mentally handicapped son to social workers were dropped Tuesday.
Cheryl Holley, 42, who gave up her 12-year-old son in January, no longer faces criminal charges.
Hillsborough County Judge Gaston Fernandez ruled that the boy qualifies as "a child in need of services." Her son, whom Holley adopted at age 5, suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and is mentally handicapped. He was sexually molested as a young child and, for the past seven years, has been acting out sexually against other children and adults.
Judge Fernandez scheduled a March 11 hearing for more discussion about a plan for the boy's care.
Read previous Times coverage: Mom, mentally handicapped son struggle for understanding
[Last modified February 27, 2008, 13:01:19]
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Comments on this article
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by Holley
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02/28/08 11:11 AM
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Thank God the system is going as is should be!! Now lets keep the ball rolling to help everyone else!! It isn't fair to them either!
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by CLIF
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02/27/08 06:33 PM
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JUDGE GASTON FERNANDEZ IS A KIND AND CARING MAN WHO IS VERY PERCEPTIVE. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE MANY JUDGES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LIKE HIM. IF THE STATE HAD MORE PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE HIM THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED TO CHERYL AND HER SON
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by lena
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02/27/08 05:26 PM
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I wish that there were more people like Holley. Not that many people would bother with people like her mentally handicapped son. Most people want blond-blue eyed children with an IQ of 150.
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by Alice
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02/27/08 01:13 PM
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It's good to know the "system" is finally working to HELP instead of cause more damage. A long time ago, my son needed some sort of help; the state told me they don't pay for PREVENTION only INTERVENTION. Good for you Holley, get those laws changed!
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by frank
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02/27/08 12:43 PM
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and dcf and the sao could not figure this out? wasted time and money.
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by Jeannie
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02/27/08 10:30 AM
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YEAH!!! Cheri!! I am so happy that you and your son will be getting the help you need and that you two will be able to spend at least some time together. This is very important for him I believe..he needs to know that you are still there for him.
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by one on une
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02/27/08 10:08 AM
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way to girl .stay in there so you can help other kids and parents. love you
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by Jordan
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02/27/08 10:01 AM
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That's my aunt and I thank God for each miracle he gives our family.
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by cheryl
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02/27/08 09:50 AM
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Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers; They do work! For all those parents that are still going through similar situations know I am contiuning this fight. There will be laws changed! We need no invest in our children while they are young.
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by mike
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02/27/08 09:31 AM
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at last a little common sense.
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by Gayle
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02/27/08 09:25 AM
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I am in a similar position, I took a child from DCF when he was 2 years old. He has serious mental issues, he is impossible to deal with he is now 14 years old. DCF refuses to help or take the child back I was investigated for child abuse. CRAZY
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by Hoshi
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02/27/08 09:10 AM
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At first I didn't understand and thought she was wrong, since reading her story with an open mind I have seen another side and I am very glad she does not face charges, may she forgive me for first negative reaction to her circumstances.
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by Stina
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02/27/08 09:03 AM
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Thank GOd! Maybe this family will FINALLY get the help it needs. The child's problems aren't Holley's fault (or the child's); they are the fault of the birth mother!
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by Amanda
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02/27/08 08:53 AM
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Kudos to mom for trying to get her child help. I think it's ridiculous there were charges in the first place. What would you rather see...her let her child roam the streets doing crimes? Dumb judicial system sometimes.
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by Ted W.
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02/27/08 08:17 AM
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Amen to that!
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