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Ron Drake
Advantage Over a Grieving Parent
October 18, 2003

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I recently went to a hearing with a mother whose child DCPS had wronged. The mother became overcome with grief as she testified for her child. As I consoled the mother, I forgot to present testimony from a key witness who was standing by to testify.

When I recognized my error, I immediately informed the hearing officer and moved to reopen the case to present the omitted testimony. DCPS made every effort to take advantage of my error, keep the testimony out, and exacerbate the mother's pain. DCPS initially went so far as to deny the existence of a document needed to establish the parent’s right to call that crucial witness.

The hearing officer was honorable. He allowed me to correct my error. I do not yet know what will be the ultimate judgment in that case, nor do I know what will be that child’s fate. But I do know that on that day, in that hearing room, DCPS passed judgment on itself.

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