Update: After a Nationwide Uproar, Baby Elijah Is Now Home With Mom and Dad

Michael Snyder is the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, The American Dream Blog and The Truth. You can follow him on Twitter right here

I love it when a tragic story has a happy ending.  Last week I told you all about a mother and a father here in north Idaho that had their newborn child taken away by government bureaucrats right after it was born.  The mother has cerebral palsy, but the truth is that there was absolutely no reason to take that child away from the parents.  In addition to both parents being there, a grandfather also lives in the home, and so there would be plenty of care for the little one.  Well, the good news is that Baby Elijah was restored to Mom and Dad on Friday.  The battle is not over yet, but for the moment this is a major victory.

I would have updated you guys in sooner, but I just got back from a campaign trip down to Boise.  The following is the update that was posted on Health Freedom Idaho’s Facebook page…

We had the first taste of victory and justice as it was decided by the court that baby Elijah could go home!!!

I arrived at the courthouse for the shelter hearing today ready for a long day of waiting through testimony. To my surprise the doors of the courtroom opened after only about 20 to 30 minutes of court being in session. We had the first taste of victory and justice as it was decided by the court that baby Elijah could go home with his mom (Diamond) and dad (Ari) TODAY!

I witnessed the pure joy on Diamond’s face as she was wheeled out of the courtroom knowing that she would be able to hold, nurse, and bond with her baby today. The church members, friends, and family cheered, hugged, and cried as the news spread through those of us that had hunkered down for the long haul. The news came so quickly that it took a moment for it to all sink in and then people went into action and planning. There was an excited shout, “We have to get the carseat!”

I have witnessed an incredibly supportive church family led by pastor Brenden Biggs. Under his direction, the church had come together with a plan of 24 hour assistance for the family and the court agreed. According to state statute, the longest that this agreement can be in place is 3 months.

We were not told facts specific to this case as it cannot be shared at this time. We do know that the legal procedure would be this: First there is a shelter care hearing. At this point, there can be a resolution reached which stipulates that there is a reason for the Dept to be involved. Part of allowing an agreement like this means that the party is then able to get the child back immediately. The case moves toward a pre-trial, then an adjudicatory hearing within 30 days (after the removal of the child). The parents can agree to move the hearing but the hard date is 3 months. The resolution put forth can stay in place for 30 days, but no later than 3 months. At 3 months a new resolution needs to be written or the case dismissed. The resolution can also be dismissed at anytime.

The pre-trial hearing is set for Dec18th at 1:30 pm. The adjudicatory hearing is set for Dec 22 at 9am. Of course, these times can be subject to change and we will notify you of any changes.

This is a time to celebrate! It is also a time for the family to bond as a new family should. They have things to learn especially Diamond as she learns how to mother Elijah with a disability. This is no small task but now she has the opportunity to do this, as I would imagine that she intended, with the guidance and care of those that love her.

As for the rest of us, we need to look into the heart of this issue which is the systematic overreach of the department. It is imperative that people know their rights and how to enact those rights from the beginning of a situation before it escalates. We plan on educating ourselves and you as we delve into the law and the protection that it can provide. We must do so keeping in mind that our human rights and parental rights are NOT granted to us by the government but by our Creator.

Like I said earlier, this is not the end of the legal battle, but at least Baby Elijah is home with Mom and Dad.

This just shows what can happen when large numbers of people stand up against government overreach.  If Health Freedom Idaho and so many others around the nation had not taken action, this story may have had a much different ending.  So I want to thank Health Freedom Idaho for relentlessly fighting for us, and I hope that this victory will encourage many more to get involved in the fight in the future.

Michael Snyder is a Republican candidate for Congress in Idaho’s First Congressional District, and you can learn how you can get involved in the campaign on his official website. His new book entitled “Living A Life That Really Matters” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.

Michael Snyder is the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, The American Dream Blog and The Truth. You can follow him on Twitter right here