Indiana Parents Fight Abuse Allegations, Seek Child Reunification

Parents Deny Abuse After Newborn Hospitalized

An Indiana couple is fighting to regain custody of their two young daughters after authorities suspected child abuse. Amanda Denny and Louis Stanford, married in 2022, welcomed their second child, Clara, in October. Their older daughter, Scarlet, is nearly three.

“It’s like an overwhelming amount of joy that I felt,” Amanda described their early family life. “I don’t know if there are actual words to explain it.” These happy moments turned into a nightmare when Clara, just four weeks old, developed unexplained issues.

Unexplained Bruising Sparks Investigation

The trouble began when Amanda noticed a small red mark in the inner corner of Clara’s eye. The next day, the other eye showed similar marks, along with bruising on her eyelid.

“I’m looking at her eyes and there’s like this little red mark,” Amanda recounted. After taking photos and sending them to their pediatrician, the parents were advised to come in the following day.

Medical Tests Yield No Answers, Suspicion Rises

Without any reported fall or accident to explain the bruising, Clara’s pediatrician sent the family to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago. There, Clara underwent extensive testing, including blood work, a CAT scan of her head, and a skeletal survey.

“Test after test, all came back showing nothing,” Louis stated. With no clear medical reason for Clara’s condition, a child abuse pediatrician suspected trauma, possibly inflicted by the parents.

Parents Deny Any Wrongdoing

When questioned, both Amanda and Louis firmly denied any involvement in harming their infant daughter. “We didn’t do that. That didn’t happen,” Amanda told the doctor.

Neither parent suspected the other had unintentionally injured Clara. “Never thought that,” Louis said when asked if he suspected Amanda. They also denied ever being rough with their children, stating 100% it was not possible they had injured Clara.

Children Services Intervenes, Custody Removed

Following the hospital’s suspicion, Indiana’s Department of Child Services (DCS) was called. A caseworker arrived and informed Amanda and Louis that both of their children could be detained. The word “detain” froze Amanda, who was still recovering from childbirth.

“Like my lungs felt frozen,” she said. “Not only did you not find out what was wrong with your baby, your baby was taken from you.”

Broader Concerns About Thin Evidence

Michelle Weidner, who runs the Family Justice Resource Center, stated that this situation is not unique. Her organization helps parents accused of abuse based on what she calls “thin evidence.” “This is happening to families all around the country,” Weidner explained. She noted that it is common for police to never question parents in these cases, as the burden of proof in family court differs significantly from criminal court.

Family Court System’s Impact

Amanda and Louis found themselves in a parallel justice system, family court, where an accusation alone can lead to family separation. This follows a pattern seen by NBC News, which received many messages from parents claiming to be victims of abuse assumptions after a series on shaken baby syndrome.

Amanda, an ICU nurse, felt the irony of her situation. “I know about these things,” she said, referring to medical knowledge, yet her infant was being taken away, along with her older daughter, Scarlet.

Grandparents Step In, Medical Finding Ignored

Amanda’s parents, Sheryl and Dave, intervened, pleading with the caseworker to allow them to take custody of their grandchildren. The caseworker agreed, and the girls stayed with their grandparents. The family expected a swift resolution, especially after discovering Clara had a vitamin K deficiency.

This condition can cause bleeding and bruising, offering a potential medical explanation. However, this finding did not convince a judge during a court hearing.

Hospital and DCS Respond

Lurie’s Children’s Hospital and the child abuse pediatrician declined to comment, citing patient privacy laws. Indiana DCS stated that its decisions are guided by statutes and case law to protect children. “Juvenile court judges make difficult decisions every day to protect the children of Indiana,” a DCS spokesperson said, emphasizing the seriousness of child removal and compliance with court orders.

Parents’ Ongoing Struggle and Hope

Despite Clara being a perfectly healthy six-month-old, Amanda and Louis are not allowed to be alone with their children. They have supervised visits for 18 hours a week. “Do you feel like you’ve lost a little bit of being grandparents?” Amanda’s mother asked.

“Oh, absolutely.” The emotional toll is immense, especially when their daughters cry, begging them not to leave. “It’s horrifying,” Amanda said, recalling her toddler’s pleas. The family is hopeful for a positive outcome as they return to court on Monday, seeking to prove this was a tragic mistake and reunite their family.

Source: Indiana parents fight to reunite with children after suspicion of abuse (YouTube)