Your low IQ can take your children away, happened with a couple

A distraught couple from Oregon claims that their two sons had been taken away from them because the couple scored poorly on an IQ test they had taken earlier.

The couple, Amy Fabbrini and Eric Ziegler’s first-born had been taken away from them 4 years back after a friend had called child protection services, claiming that the couple was oblivious to the child’s cues and was unfit to care for him.

Their second son suffered the same fate; he was taken from away from the couple from the hospital itself soon after he was born.

According to court documents, the couple will not be able to provide a safe environment for their children to grow up in due to their low IQ scores. They both had an IQ around 70; the average IQ score is between 90 -110. People who score between 70-80 have are considered intellectually disabled; in the past having an IQ level between 70-80 was classified as ‘borderline deficiency’.  The couple’s low IQ score would likely inhibit their parenting abilities which is why their sons had been taken away.

For them to be able to get their son’s back, the state has requested that the couple attend parenting, CPR, and nutrition classes. Despite having fulfilled the state’s request, their sons have still not been given back to them.

The agency that is overseeing the case has not provided specific details but it has stated that a child cannot be taken away from parents based solely on their level of intelligence; other factors are likely involved.

In the past, there have been incidences where parents have been stripped of their babies soon after they are born with child protection services citing that parent’s do not have the intelligence required to look after the baby. Although such parents can take classes to teach them basic skills such as changing diapers, burping and what vitamins kids need the most; they are unable to teach them how to respond to their child’s cues nor could they teach them empathy.

The incapability to respond to the child’s immediate needs have led to tragic incidents. In one case, a baby drowned in the bathtub because the mother got carried away on Facebook. In another, a baby starved to death because the mother could not follow the directions on the powdered-formula.

In a child’s earlier years, its bond with a caregiver is detrimental to its growth. Since those with intellectual disabilities cannot provide sufficient care for their babies, child protection services are prompted to take away the babies and give them to parents that will better care for the child.

Intellectually disabled parents have filed charges of discrimination in past cases as well. Saying that the state shouldn’t be taking up the role as an interventionist which breaks families but should be concentrating on catering to their special needs. The state’s focus should be on empowering such individuals, enabling them to lead independent lives and care for their child.