Family Needs Help in False CPS Court Case

Hi my name in Susan Dragoo. I am family friend to a beautiful family in Torrance California, Clark and Kim Braniff.  They are in desperate need to have their two young children returned home following a terrible accident where their 2 year old boy, Lincoln was poisoned.

On 8/31/22 Lincoln was playing in his front yard while his mother watched him and when they came in for lunch he fell asleep and took an early nap. An hour later, attempting to wake him, it was very difficult and he wasn’t acting like himself so he was rushed to the ER. It was determined that trace amounts of fentanyl were in his system.  This came as a complete shock as Lincoln’s mother did not see him put anything into his mouth during playtime in the yard, nor does the family use drugs, have access to drugs or associate with people who use or have access to drugs. They have no idea how their child was exposed to fentanyl. However, he exhibited signs of poisoning shortly after play in the front yard. 

Thankfully, he's doing so much better! Back to normal and healthy. We are so incredibly grateful, however, we cannot celebrate, because a new nightmare has unfolded. This unknown cause of contact with this drug was reported to all of the appropriate agencies with his family having been questioned by numerous social workers, police and Child Protection Services. CPS has taken both of their children from them, luckily they have been relocated to a family member’s home.

Now they are starting their battle with CPS in court. Despite both parents having negative drug tests, they have been accused of being drug users, negligent parents and the court believes they have provided a very unsafe environment for their children.

CPS held Lincoln in the hospital longer than he needed, now they are faced with legal fees while fighting to get their children back and prove their innocence. The court has also notified them that they will be fined. The police have not investigated any other possibility of the child being poisoned, other than the mother, when the police themselves have had many incidental fentanyl contact poisoning cases themselves.

The family is also trying to find an expert in the field of incidental infant Fentanyl poisoning, to act as advocate to bring attention to this very real issue that any family in Los Angels (or any large urban area) might find themselves involved in.

First we would ask for your prayers, Secondly, please give any amount you are able. As the family has already borrowed and spent $7500 to retain an attorney and it is expected to cost another $5000 for an expert witness. The court is a unique court that believes you are guilty until proven innocent; it may take as long as 6 months to exonerate the parents.

Thank you for your prayers and support!