South Carolina resident Milton Sojo reached out to MyrtleBeachSC News about the plight of his young son because of ongoing issues surrounding S.C. Family Court.
The South Carolina Family Court is a court that deals with family disputes. The court can also decide on cases where there is a need for protection of children. One of the issues the family court deals with is child abuse and neglect. Milton has never been accused of any issues relating to neglect nor abuse.
In South Carolina, DSS, or the Department of Social Services, is involved in cases that are related to child welfare and protection. The DSS will provide services to families who are at risk of abuse or neglect. In some cases, DSS will even take custody of children from their parents if it deems it necessary for their safety.
MyrtleBeachSC News continues to document issues about the internal controversies that swirl around this troubled bureaucracy. We have documented articles about the top Horry County DSS Attorney Kelly Ann Galley who was arrested for CDV. We also covered the arrest of a former DSS investigator who was locked up for misconduct after a child’s death. We covered the recent notoriety around DSS’s removal of a foster child for accepting Christ after being placed in a Christian foster home.
Sojo has never been accused of any of the above.
COURT APPOINTED THERAPIST
A Court Appointed Therapist (CAT) is appointed by the Family Court Judge to assess whether or not a child has been abused or neglected. MyrtleBeachSC News also covered the article around Court Appointed Therapist Roberta Bogle, Center For Counseling Wellness, who was sued for malpractice.
Sojo’s cased did not involve a court appointed therapist.
WHY WAS SOJO’s CHILD ADOPTED OUT WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEGE OR CONSENT?
Says Milton Sojo, “In 2019, my child was adopted without my consent by South Carolina Family Court.” According to S.C. law, legal notice must be given before an adoption can take place. Sojo adds, “I received no notice. My rights of due process were taken from me. I was prosecuted without the chance of a fair trial.”
Says Sojo, “The mother of my child went before the court and claimed she did not know where to find me despite previously living at my residence. The court failed to do their due diligence and investigate the mother’s claim. They took her at her word. They did not attempt to send notice, despite having my address on file. A simple Google search would have produced my address and phone number.”
In 1973, South Carolina created a judicial merit selection commission to appoint judges. This commission is composed of nine members: three appointed by the governor; three appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate; and three appointed by the speaker of the house. The commission screens applicants and then interviews qualified candidates before making recommendations to fill vacancies on state courts.
Horry County S.C. Senator Luke Rankin heads the Senate Judiciary and also heads up the judicial merit selection commission. He is a key member who picks our S.C. Judges.
GUARDIAN AD LITEM
The Guardian Ad Litem is a court appointed attorney who is responsible for representing the best interests of children involved in court proceedings.
The GAL is appointed by the family court judge, and their role can be as wide-ranging as interviewing and counseling the child, evaluating the child’s welfare needs, and providing recommendations to the judge about what should happen with the child.
The Guardian Ad Litem Program was created in 1981 by Governor Richard W. Riley to provide a voice for children in family court proceedings. The Guardian Ad Litem NEVER reached out to Sojo to inform him that his child was being adopted without his knowledge.
At each level in the S.C. Family Court system money is made by those working the system. Everyone wins but the parents and children.
Emily Burke, a N.C. Licensed Marriage and Family therapists states, “Family courts in the United States are routinely trafficking and violating children through unethical and illegal adoption practices.”
Says Burke, “Family Courts are weakening the family structure specifically by removing loving fathers or making them visitors in their children’s lives. Experts in the field will tell you time and time again that 50 – 50 parenting is what is best for the children. Family courts are not practicing in the best interests of the child, but, rather, what is in the best interests of the courts. For every person, these courts place on child support, the court receives a small percentage.“
“These egregious, unethical and outrageous practices must be stopped,” says Burke.
Yet it is Rankin who has a stronghold on the future of the S.C. Family Court System. Rankin appears to have little interest in reforming S.C. Family Court.
Burke says S.C. needs a complete overhaul of the S.C. Judicial Court System.
Milton Sojo, meanwhile, has set up a Go Fund Me account for his legal expenses and to further the goal of JUDICIAL REFORM.