Letter I drafted to CAS this morning.

"Hi "CAS case worker",

I just wanted to let you know that we talked to "Birthmom" this past week and she filled us in on what happened in court on Tuesday. She said that basically "Birthdad" is hoping to get his act together enough that he will be able to parent "Sadie" in the future. In the meantime he stated that he is seeking his sister to take temporary custody of her until such time. "Birthmom" said that the case was adjourned until January 12th at which time all evidence would be heard and a decision rendered (but that it could go to trial that whole week or two).

Based on what we have heard from "Birthmom", "Birthdad" is hoping to find a steady job, get off drugs, and secure a permanent address. Then he will be assessed as to his fitness to parent. In the meantime "The Aunt" will have her homestudy completed by CAS in hopes of fostering "Sadie" until "Birthdad" gets his feet back on the ground.
In the interim "Sadie" would stay with her foster family until fitness of both parties could be determined.

Paul and I feel, and correct us if we are wrong, that it is not terribly likely that "Birthdad" will be awarded custody in the end. Based on his track record, and his previous disinterest in "Sadie", we are hopeful that this will all come out in the wash. That being said we would still like the opportunity to 'Foster with a View' and we would love this opportunity sooner rather then later. We understand the risk is significantly higher now that the Birthfather is in the picture - but we feel the benefits to "Sadie" being placed with a potential "forever family" could only be beneficial to her in the end.

I guess the way we see it is this:

She can stay with her foster family (forming a stronger bond everyday to them) only to be decidedly removed from them in a couple of months...

OR

She can be fostered by us (start to forge a bond) until the middle of January when things should ultimately be resolved, and one of two things will happen...
Either she will go and live with her Aunt temporarily, or (thinking this is more likely) she will be placed permanently with us, as "Birthdad" DID NOT meet the parenting standards needed.

If it is the latter then isn't "Sadie" better off to have moved sooner rather then later? And if in fact "Birthdad" does prove himself to be a competent parent, then has "Sadie" suffered from living with us for the last two months?
These are questions we ask ourselves daily.

We completely understand that your first concern is "Sadie" - and I want to assure you, we are only thinking of her in these scenarios. We strongly believe that being fostered by us until this situation is resolved is what is most beneficial to her future. We understand that we are setting ourselves up for heart break (should Birthdad get custody in the end) BUT it may NOT go that way - and if it doesn't then we would have waisted precious months, months that are crucial in her development and attachments.

After speaking with the case workers at Toronto CAS last night (during our pride training) they said that it would not be out of the realm to foster "Sadie" while all of this plays itself out. They did explain to us, that 'usually CAS tries to not to move the child too many times - but that if the scenario is as this one is - it could be a consideration to move the child if the possible outcome is a Forever Home, as it is in this case'.

We felt the need to tell you what we were thinking as we wanted there to be no confusion. We still want to foster "Sadie" through this, and we are hopeful this will all work itself out to everyones benefit in the end (particularly "Sadie's") by moving in with us.

Please know that it is not our intention to overstep our bounds, we just could not sleep at night knowing we had not told you how we were feeling on this subject - just in case it could make a difference one way or another.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts either by phone or email.
Chat soon,
Meagan & Paul"