Bring Baby Lily home pt3
For over a year, Jerica Marseguerra, from Post Falls, Idaho, has sought for her daughter to be adopted and raised by her cousins, Rachel & Trevor Templeton in Indiana. She has signed consents to the adoption multiple times, and continues to insist that is what she wants for her baby girl.
However, Idaho CPS refuses to acknowledge they interrupted the pre-planned, private family adoption - despite their promises in the beginning to help facilitate it. Since they got their claws into Baby Lily in December 2021, they have refused to let go, no matter what Jerica says she wants for her daughter.
They have only ever been focused on an adoption from foster care, despite Jerica’s parental right to choose her daughter’s adoptive family; and have now started complaining about the publicity that has been developing around the case.
Read Part 1
Read Part 2
On October 24, 2022, a protest rally was held outside of Child Protective Services, in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho, in support of the Templetons’ and Jerica’s mission to Bring Baby Lily Home. Rachel and Trevor were in attendance from Indiana, as well as Jerica and her mother, Kim. Supporters rallied with the family, in the rain, holding up homemade signs that demanded the department “Bring Baby Lily Home” - generating many honks and waves in support from cars passing by the Department.
However, Idaho CPS refuses to acknowledge they interrupted the pre-planned, private family adoption - despite their promises in the beginning to help facilitate it. Since they got their claws into Baby Lily in December 2021, they have refused to let go, no matter what Jerica says she wants for her daughter.
They have only ever been focused on an adoption from foster care, despite Jerica’s parental right to choose her daughter’s adoptive family; and have now started complaining about the publicity that has been developing around the case.
Read Part 1
Read Part 2
On October 24, 2022, a protest rally was held outside of Child Protective Services, in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho, in support of the Templetons’ and Jerica’s mission to Bring Baby Lily Home. Rachel and Trevor were in attendance from Indiana, as well as Jerica and her mother, Kim. Supporters rallied with the family, in the rain, holding up homemade signs that demanded the department “Bring Baby Lily Home” - generating many honks and waves in support from cars passing by the Department.
Complaints about Publicity
That same day, CASA worker Chris Clayton’s attorney, Chris Schwartz, filed a Contempt Motion against Jerica’s Attorney, Derek Pica - also complaining about the sudden publicity surrounding the case. He claimed in his motion to the court that Miste Karlfeldt, who owns this website and is providing space for these articles to help support the fight to bring Baby Lily home to the Templetons, is only doing so for political purposes - because she just happened to put her name in the race for State Controller. Mr. Schwartz called her a “far right extremist” whose only motivation for publishing these articles was “political gain” for the 2022 election.
COURT DOCUMENTS
Miste says she never even campaigned for the State Controller election, and had only put herself into the race because the other candidate was unopposed and she wanted to see if she’d get any votes as a Constitutionalist candidate. Miste says, “For the record, I consider myself a constitutional activist. If the Constitution is ‘far right’ then that says everything that needs to be said about the far left.”
After the rally, the family gathered and held a candid conversation about the situation with local freedom fighter, John Richards, through facebook live & now hosted on the Fight for Lilly Consulting & Advocacy Facebook with Jerica once again saying she only wants Lily to be adopted by her cousins, Rachel & Trevor.
The next day, on October 25th, 2022, a court hearing was held in the Kootenai County Juvenile Justice building, with Judge Anna Eckhart presiding. Before the hearing started, Lily’s foster mother, and adoptive mother to Jerica’s oldest child, walked up to Jerica’s mother, Kim, and hugged her - leaving her confused at the sudden, uninvited, and what was viewed as false affection from the woman she feels has stolen her grandchildren.
After the rally, the family gathered and held a candid conversation about the situation with local freedom fighter, John Richards, through facebook live & now hosted on the Fight for Lilly Consulting & Advocacy Facebook with Jerica once again saying she only wants Lily to be adopted by her cousins, Rachel & Trevor.
The next day, on October 25th, 2022, a court hearing was held in the Kootenai County Juvenile Justice building, with Judge Anna Eckhart presiding. Before the hearing started, Lily’s foster mother, and adoptive mother to Jerica’s oldest child, walked up to Jerica’s mother, Kim, and hugged her - leaving her confused at the sudden, uninvited, and what was viewed as false affection from the woman she feels has stolen her grandchildren.
During the hearing, the Templetons and Jerica’s mother, gathered in the hallway with a few other supporters, waiting and praying. It was a closed courtroom, so Jerica was left alone with only her attorney to support her during the hearing, leaving supporters outside - wondering what the court has to hide.
Court Bully
The hearing was supposed to be the first Permanency Plan hearing; where Judge Eckhart was scheduled to either rule on Jerica’s attorney’s motion to dismiss the case, or set a permanent plan for adoption from foster care as requested by the Department’s attorney, Denise Rosen. However, what it apparently turned into was Ms. Rosen and Chris Schwartz using the court to bully and intimidate Jerica and her attorney, Derek Pica - because of the recent publicity.
Once court was over, several supporters that were waiting in the hallway witnessed through the open courtroom doors as the older gentleman, Mr. Pica, sat quietly in the courtroom - with the younger attorney, Chris Schwartz, red in the face walking back and forth in front of Mr. Pica, obviously angry; and practically yelling an inch from his face.
It is understood that Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Pica do not know each other outside of Lily’s case, because Mr. Pica is not a local attorney to Kootenai County. His practice is based in Boise, Idaho; more than 8 hours away in the southern part of the state. He had flown into town specifically for the case, and intended to plead with the court to allow Jerica to surrender her parental rights and pursue the adoption with the Templetons.
According to court supporters in attendance, Mr. Schwartz’s behavior was entirely unprofessional and unprovoked, and it left the supporters in shock as they witnessed his intimidation attempt; with comments such as “Why would Mr. Schwartz be so upset about the public knowing the situation, if he and his client from CASA were TRULY thinking about the best interest of this child?”
One supporter even left a review on Mr. Schwartz’s yelp page, disgusted by the actions of the attorney.
Once court was over, several supporters that were waiting in the hallway witnessed through the open courtroom doors as the older gentleman, Mr. Pica, sat quietly in the courtroom - with the younger attorney, Chris Schwartz, red in the face walking back and forth in front of Mr. Pica, obviously angry; and practically yelling an inch from his face.
It is understood that Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Pica do not know each other outside of Lily’s case, because Mr. Pica is not a local attorney to Kootenai County. His practice is based in Boise, Idaho; more than 8 hours away in the southern part of the state. He had flown into town specifically for the case, and intended to plead with the court to allow Jerica to surrender her parental rights and pursue the adoption with the Templetons.
According to court supporters in attendance, Mr. Schwartz’s behavior was entirely unprofessional and unprovoked, and it left the supporters in shock as they witnessed his intimidation attempt; with comments such as “Why would Mr. Schwartz be so upset about the public knowing the situation, if he and his client from CASA were TRULY thinking about the best interest of this child?”
One supporter even left a review on Mr. Schwartz’s yelp page, disgusted by the actions of the attorney.
Rachel reports that Mr. Pica came out of the courtroom with a completely different demeanor than when he entered; and simply said the judge had essentially placed a gag order on Jerica and himself by issuing a protective order on the case - and that's all that he could say. Neither Mr. Pica or Jerica would talk about what happened during court, and both seemed obviously distressed about the situation.
About the Money: Idaho only receives Title IV-E funding via Foster Adoption
Rachel and Trevor feel that Judge Eckhart ordered the protective order/gag order in an effort to try and stop the publicity that is growing about the situation, and did so intentionally in an attempt to stop the support they were suddenly receiving as Lily’s intended adoptive parents.
Trevor says, “the motion for contempt that was sent [the night before the hearing] was obviously sent on purpose, just to take the spotlight off the situation, so they had something to use instead of focusing on Lily’s adoption.”
Rachel says, “They (Rosen, Schwartz & CPS) are trying to make themselves the victims to distract from the main problem, the main issue - the adoption. They are not the victims. We are… Jerica is… and most importantly - Lilly is.”
However, the Templetons and Jerica say they feel stronger than ever with the support of the community on their side. The family says they feel that Judge Eckhart and CPS are just trying to force Jerica to surrender to CPS by forcing her to be alone, once again. They feel like the State of Idaho is forcing Lily to stay in foster care and depriving her of a permanent home with her blood family and it seems that it is all in an effort to secure the funding they receive from the federal government.
Rachel provided us with a recording of Deputy Attorney General, Denise Rosen, admitting that it is not an adoption issue, but actually a funding issue. Rachel says CPS claims she is not "relative enough" to be considered a relative adoption - just so they can move on to the foster mom for permanency instead. A move that would allow Idaho to receive Title IV-E funding through the Fostering Connections Act.
During a team meeting that took place on March 17th, 2022 between Ms. Rosen and the CPS social workers, with the Templeton’s and their attorney Peter Dan; Ms. Rosen can be heard admitting that the case wasn’t about an adoption - but about funding.
Trevor says, “the motion for contempt that was sent [the night before the hearing] was obviously sent on purpose, just to take the spotlight off the situation, so they had something to use instead of focusing on Lily’s adoption.”
Rachel says, “They (Rosen, Schwartz & CPS) are trying to make themselves the victims to distract from the main problem, the main issue - the adoption. They are not the victims. We are… Jerica is… and most importantly - Lilly is.”
However, the Templetons and Jerica say they feel stronger than ever with the support of the community on their side. The family says they feel that Judge Eckhart and CPS are just trying to force Jerica to surrender to CPS by forcing her to be alone, once again. They feel like the State of Idaho is forcing Lily to stay in foster care and depriving her of a permanent home with her blood family and it seems that it is all in an effort to secure the funding they receive from the federal government.
Rachel provided us with a recording of Deputy Attorney General, Denise Rosen, admitting that it is not an adoption issue, but actually a funding issue. Rachel says CPS claims she is not "relative enough" to be considered a relative adoption - just so they can move on to the foster mom for permanency instead. A move that would allow Idaho to receive Title IV-E funding through the Fostering Connections Act.
During a team meeting that took place on March 17th, 2022 between Ms. Rosen and the CPS social workers, with the Templeton’s and their attorney Peter Dan; Ms. Rosen can be heard admitting that the case wasn’t about an adoption - but about funding.
FOSTERING CONNECTIONS ACT
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/federal/fosteringconnections/
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/federal/fosteringconnections/
States such as Idaho have received federal Title IV-E Social Security funding for adoptions from foster care since the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and the The Fostering Connections Act of 2008 improved and increased the financial incentives for states that exceed their highest adoption rate - incentivizing states to push for even more adoptions through foster care than ever before.
Rachel says that she and Trevor would not fall under the foster care category because they are relatives (Rachel is a first cousin to Jerica and Baby Lily), so they would fall under a relative adoption, but only if the adoption was done through CPS. They attempted to do this after Idaho refused to allow their private adoption. But if Idaho had allowed the private family adoption to occur, Idaho could not be able to receive the Fostering Connections funding through Title IV Social Security.
Rachel says that she and Trevor would not fall under the foster care category because they are relatives (Rachel is a first cousin to Jerica and Baby Lily), so they would fall under a relative adoption, but only if the adoption was done through CPS. They attempted to do this after Idaho refused to allow their private adoption. But if Idaho had allowed the private family adoption to occur, Idaho could not be able to receive the Fostering Connections funding through Title IV Social Security.
Support for Jerica and the Templetons
After the hearing, another rally was held outside of the Kootenai County Courthouse, with even more supporters in attendance to support Jerica and the Templetons.
A press conference was held with Rachel & Trevor, and their attorney, Peter Dan; where they discussed the situation with local independent journalists; including Rachelle Emery from Health Freedom Idaho and Casey Whalen from North Idaho Exposed
Birthmom choice is a 2 parent family
According to Lily’s biological grandma, Kim, her daughter Jerica has always said she chose the Templeton’s, not only because of the family connection and a good loving family who would make wonderful parents for Lily, but because there are two parents in the home - not just a single mother like the foster mother.
Jerica says if she wanted her daughter to be raised by a single mother, she would have chosen to raise her by herself. Jerica says she knows that being a single mother is hard, and that she knew she couldn’t do it alone. She wants Lily to have two parents - which is why she chose the Templetons for the adoption in the first place.
Rachel reports that the foster mother sends Lily to daycare, 6 days a week, and started doing this at the age of only one month old. Rachel says, “This was heartbreaking, because she could have been with us this whole time, and wouldn’t have needed to attend daycare,” because Rachel is a work from home mom.
Jerica says if she wanted her daughter to be raised by a single mother, she would have chosen to raise her by herself. Jerica says she knows that being a single mother is hard, and that she knew she couldn’t do it alone. She wants Lily to have two parents - which is why she chose the Templetons for the adoption in the first place.
Rachel reports that the foster mother sends Lily to daycare, 6 days a week, and started doing this at the age of only one month old. Rachel says, “This was heartbreaking, because she could have been with us this whole time, and wouldn’t have needed to attend daycare,” because Rachel is a work from home mom.
False Promises?
Since the story went public, the Templetons and Jerica have done a number of interviews that have started to circulate through social media. This has led alleged Facebook Friends and colleagues of the foster mom, many of which have purportedly been found to be connected to Kootenai Health Hospital (where Baby Lily was born, and kidnapped by the State) to verbally attack the Templetons and Jerica on social media, through online bullying and intimidation. They have allegedly called Rachel and Trevor, and their family “liars”; and purportedly claimed that Baby Lily is already in her permanent home - despite Judge Eckhart not having actually made any rulings yet.
This raises more speculation that the State of Idaho has made some sort of promise to the foster mother for permanency and adoption of Baby Lily. A promise, if made, that would have been made prematurely - because Jerica has not lost her parental rights, and has been persistent on trying to exercise her fundamental right to choose an adoption with her cousins. She has sought this since before Baby Lily was born; and for the last year - despite CPS repeatedly trespassing on the private adoption.
According to CPS, and Denise Rosen - Lily is not free for adoption. However, it seems that this only applies to the Templetons, not to the foster mother. They continue to pursue termination of Jerica’s rights - even though she has repeatedly stated she wishes to willingly surrender them - as long as Baby Lily goes to Rachel & Trevor.
Additionally, Rachel says that Judge Eckhart has allegedly stated on multiple occasions that she is going to make a decision about their adoption; but has repeatedly failed to do so. It seems apparent to the family that the judge is procrastinating, potentially due to not wanting the attorneys to file an appeal and take the matter to a higher court.
More on Judge Eckhart
This raises more speculation that the State of Idaho has made some sort of promise to the foster mother for permanency and adoption of Baby Lily. A promise, if made, that would have been made prematurely - because Jerica has not lost her parental rights, and has been persistent on trying to exercise her fundamental right to choose an adoption with her cousins. She has sought this since before Baby Lily was born; and for the last year - despite CPS repeatedly trespassing on the private adoption.
According to CPS, and Denise Rosen - Lily is not free for adoption. However, it seems that this only applies to the Templetons, not to the foster mother. They continue to pursue termination of Jerica’s rights - even though she has repeatedly stated she wishes to willingly surrender them - as long as Baby Lily goes to Rachel & Trevor.
Additionally, Rachel says that Judge Eckhart has allegedly stated on multiple occasions that she is going to make a decision about their adoption; but has repeatedly failed to do so. It seems apparent to the family that the judge is procrastinating, potentially due to not wanting the attorneys to file an appeal and take the matter to a higher court.
More on Judge Eckhart
While the federal timeline clocks tick the Court Delays baby Lily permanency
In what appears to be retaliation toward the attorneys, the Templetons, and Jerica for going public, the next hearing regarding the CPS case has been pushed several months out - until some time in February, 2023. In the meantime, Lily is in limbo in the system, without a permanency plan on record as was supposed to happen at the recent hearing.
The family assumes the delay is being used to allow time to pass in the hopes the publicity will die down, and simply go away. A tactic commonly used in these types of hearings that suddenly have public support. Delaying the hearing also keeps Lily in foster care as the state waits for the federal timelines to run out for an adoption from foster care. Termination of parental rights and adoption is almost guaranteed when a child has been in foster care for 18/22 months.
According to Rachel, Judge Eckhart was initially supposed to make a decision when the Templeton’s attorney, Peter Dan, went to court in the beginning of October over the attempted dismissal of the Templeton’s filed adoption in Idaho. However, since the hearing on October 25th, nothing has changed as far as permanency for Lily.
The Department is also still refusing to let the Templetons have visitation with Lily, despite having had weekly visitation for over 9 months; nor have they even offered Jerica visitation since she was released.
It is unclear if the next hearing will be a permanency plan hearing, or a case plan hearing; and unfortunately, Jerica is no longer able to speak about what is happening in court under threat of criminal contempt charges.
However, Rachel reports that their attorney, Peter Dan, has recently filed a motion for hearing in their adoption case - in an effort to finally allow Jerica to surrender her parental rights and let the Templetons finally pursue the adoption in the Idaho court.
Of course, Denise Rosen has once again objected, still claiming the state has decision making about the adoption, despite Jerica still possessing her residual parental rights that include the right to consent to adoption - leaving the family to continue to maintain that the state isn’t truly thinking about permanency for Lily, or what is in her best interest. If it were, then Ms. Rosen and CPS would have stepped out of the way in the very beginning and allowed what Jerica has wanted from the start- for her daughter to be home in Indiana with the Templetons.
The Templetons and Jerica say they continue to be thankful for the support and love they are receiving. They hope that the delays in the case don’t stop people from staying involved, or continuing to support their effort to bring their daughter home.
In the meantime, the family’s advocacy team has created several more protest events - in an effort to help show the State of Idaho that the community isn’t going away anytime soon and will continue to demand that they Bring Baby Lily Home where she belongs.
The North Idaho chapters of People’s Rights and Health Freedom Idaho had an event on Friday, Nov. 18th - in protest of National Adoption Day. Protesters gathered in front of the Juvenile Justice Building with signs demanding they #BringBabyLilyHome
In the meantime, the family’s advocacy team has created several more protest events - in an effort to help show the State of Idaho that the community isn’t going away anytime soon and will continue to demand that they Bring Baby Lily Home where she belongs.
The North Idaho chapters of People’s Rights and Health Freedom Idaho had an event on Friday, Nov. 18th - in protest of National Adoption Day. Protesters gathered in front of the Juvenile Justice Building with signs demanding they #BringBabyLilyHome
YOU CAN SUPPORT Jerica, the Templetons & Baby Lily
There is also an online Call to Action to protest National Adoption Month/Day, and the use of Lily as currency to receive federal funding for an adoption from foster care.
Supporters can help by writing complaints to the government agencies that oversee the players in Baby Lily’s case.
Event link
There is also an event to help celebrate Lily’s upcoming first birthday on December 9th.
Lilies for Lily’s First Birthday
You can also help by following the family’s facebook support pageOr donating to their fundraiser
And by signing the petition to show that the community is still watching Kootenai County Idaho and demanding they Bring Baby Lily Home -
Supporters can help by writing complaints to the government agencies that oversee the players in Baby Lily’s case.
Event link
There is also an event to help celebrate Lily’s upcoming first birthday on December 9th.
Lilies for Lily’s First Birthday
You can also help by following the family’s facebook support pageOr donating to their fundraiser
And by signing the petition to show that the community is still watching Kootenai County Idaho and demanding they Bring Baby Lily Home -