LANCASTER – A local family is calling for a full investigation into the practices of a juvenile court referee, whom they said was malicious and vindictive in removing a child from their home.
Palmdale business owner Kathy Keith, and her husband John Keith, are fighting for permanent custody of their 8-year-old niece. They said the child thrived in their home for three years, before she was removed without cause by juvenile court referee Valerie Skeba.
“Children are removed from their home if they are abused. What do you do when a judge abuses the child?” Kathy Keith said.
Skeba abused her power by removing the child from their home against the recommendations of the Department of Children and Family Services and a Court Appointed Special Advocate, the Keiths claim.
Backed by the local chapter of the NAACP and dozens of supporters, the Keiths held an emotional press conference Thursday outside of the Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center in Lancaster to call attention to the case and to demand a full investigation into Skeba’s conduct.
“We made sure that this child was well taken care of and for the judge to belittle us and make us out as unfit parents is not right,” said John Keith. “I think that justice needs to be served properly.
The Keiths said they began caring for their niece about three years ago, because her mother, who is Kathy Keith’s sister, was struggling with an addiction and headed down the wrong path.
When the child came to their home, she was asthmatic and overweight with major emotional challenges, Kathy Keith said. Over time, the child developed better eating habits, she was doing better in school and she had never missed a doctor’s appointment, Kathy Keith said. This progress prompted DCFS to recommend that the child be placed with them permanently, Kathy Keith said.
The Keiths claim they went above and beyond the court’s orders; still, Skeba accused them of being unfit guardians at their last court hearing in October.
“She belittled me, she degraded me, she humiliated me, and she lied on me…” Kathy Keith said. “She shouted out to me that the child has diabetes.”
“When she made the statement that the child has diabetes, it was like a ton of ice hit me. I froze because I had no idea that there was a document that stated that,” John Keith said.
The Keiths claim they tried to show medical paperwork that would dispute Skeba’s diabetes claim, but they were kicked out of the courtroom and dismissed for the day. Later that day, a social worker informed the Keiths that Skeba had ordered the child removed from their home within seven days with no option to be placed with any other family members. Kathy Keith said she pleaded with the child’s attorney to file paperwork to keep the child out of foster care with strangers. The child was allowed to be placed with the Keiths’ daughter and her husband.
The next day, Keith and several family members picketed the courthouse. They followed the chain of command in reporting Skeba’s conduct, but could not find a resolution, Kathy Keith said.
“I know they didn’t investigate anything, because how could a file be this thick if I’ve never followed a court order?” Kathy Keith said, waving a thick yellow folder. “How is everything in this file saying this child is 100% healthy?”
The Keiths believe that referee Skeba was referencing the wrong case file when she stated that their niece had diabetes. They believe Skeba became angry when challenged, and then removed the child from their home as an act of retaliation.
A thorough investigation into Skeba’s actions will prove their claims to be true, the Keiths said. They’re calling on the Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Dependency Court, Michael Nash, to launch the investigation. Read their letter to Judge Nash here.
The Keiths were supported by local community activists, as well as neighbors and relatives, Thursday afternoon.
“I just could not believe that somebody would turn around and say that they are unfit,” said the Keiths’ neighbor Michael Panek, adding that he’s known the family for more than 10 years. “They are one of the most loving families we’ve ever known.”
“The things that were required, they did long before the child was removed,” said the Keiths’ son, John Keith. “For somebody to treat them with such malice, it hurts me as much as it hurts them.”
“We’re just asking that this little girl, who had everything taken away from her, the only home she knows, would have the opportunity to be raised in a family that loves her,” said the Keiths’ daughter Latorra Saxton.
The local chapter of the NAACP has launched a petition calling on Judge Nash to launch an investigation into Skeba’s actions and to place the child back with the Keiths.
“We have a saying in our community that it takes a village to raise a child, and you’re looking at this village here,” said local NAACP President V. Jessie Smith. “We’re standing up for our children.”
Juvenile court referee Valerie Skeba could not be reached for comment Thursday or Friday. Los Angeles Superior Court spokesperson Mary Hearn said Judge Nash was prohibited by law from speaking on the case. She said she could not confirm whether they had received the Keiths’ letter.
“Because it’s a juvenile matter, I am also prohibited from being able to discuss and provide any information about it,” Hearn said.
The Keiths say they will continue to pressure the children’s court to look into the matter. They said they are not giving up until they obtain permanent custody of their niece.
“When it’s a judge involved, people don’t want to get involved, but if we don’t fight for her and give her a chance at life, who’s going to fight for her?” Kathy Keith said.
The Keiths are due back in juvenile court in July. Supporters said they hoping to gather at least 3,000 signatures on the petition by then to submit to the court.
To sign the petition or to learn more about how to become involved in this cause, contact local NAACP Vice President Cynthia Beverly at 661-222-8144.
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Taryn says
Skeba removed my children from my home as well! She is corrupt and I am glad I found this story. I am not her only victim!
Wayne says
A very good friend of mine has been tortured by the loss of her children thanks to this evil woman. Pray that God expedites His justice in this case!
Notary Mobile says
If we don’t stop the wrong. then the wrong doers will thing its right. Sometime we have to go back to old school and stand up for what we believe in. Two wrongs don’t make a right you how it goes. Judge get a hold of yourself and the principals of the law not your disgusting misjudgement of others this is not the place to make examples out of good famalies. I know the Keiths personally and they are great people. Shape up Judge or ship out.
willie agee says
IN MY OPPENIN, AS FOR AS JUDGES ARE CONSERNED, THAY ARE NO LONGER INTERPUTING THE LAW’S OF THE LAND BUT ARE ACTING AS DICKTERS
frank rizzo says
Another incompetent judge from the AV! Who would have thought! We need to hold judges accountable and prosecute them when they ruin other peoples lives. Have you heard the news about the judge in Texas and Colorado?
Michael Rives says
I am sorry that our local county supervisor and his staff were not utilized to help get to the bottom of the whole affair. We elect people to represent us with the various governmental levels and represent us to the various agencies.
Myself says
The same thing happened to me as is happening to the Keiths. The only difference is that I am white and poor and don’t have an organization to come and do battle for me. I can’t even afford an attorney to help with the paperwork.
BH says
Same here, but in my case it was that imbecile Mordevsky who screwed up. Removed the kid from my home & sent her to live with her (documented) bipolar, paranoid schizophrenic & sociopathic mother. It’s a wonder the mother hasn’t killed the kid yet.
Another Day says
Same thing is happening to me. The whole family is protecting their abusive brother who has been abusing me and our two children for years. The kids were yanked from me, split up with one tossed into a home with “family” that the child never knew until a few days earlier. The best part? I’m not even a resident of California!
Madison says
I know from working for DCFS in previous years that 2 of the referees that work/worked in dependency court have undesirable pasts, it leaks out, One was a former drug addict prostitute who herself had her kids in system and then later turned her life around and became referee after working as a lawyer for dependency court. the other current referee I heard had a past drinking problem….There is also a Current Lawyer in that department that wears a AA symbol necklace, she has 20 plus yrs sober, and she herself lost her children, and now wants to help other parents, she is cool because that lawyer does want to help. The referees on the other hand I believe forget where they come from and they do abuse their authority. Many more times have I seen them give visitation and custody to parents/family that they never should have given to.
Madison says
Our system is broken…in so many way! I wish the Keiths Luck and I support what they are doing. I wish MORE people would SPEAK UP (The squeaky wheel gets oiled) So that hopefully our system might start getting fixed…..wishful thinking!
Chris says
My son is dealing with this same BS!!! His 2 children have been put into the system and have stayed there for nearly 4 years and they give the so-called mother all the help in the world and she still proves over and over that she should not have her children,but somehow this court let her decide who her children would be placed with and she also has made many accusations against the foster parents she chose as well,but still wants them with these people. But my son who lives in Maryland has gotten NO HELP at all. He doesn’t have the state paying his bills and taking him to whatever required programs that he needs to complete like they do with her. They spoon feed the mom and she continues to go against orders and subject her kids to drug use and abuse and this court and the court appointed attorney for my son keeps fighting him all the way. It’s sickening that a father who actually wants his children is denied for no reason other than by the lies she tells about their father, all of which we can disprove,but they continue to let the so-called mother have a say so in what happens with the children she lost in the first place. All i can say is SHAME ON ALL OF THEM AND GOD HELP MY GRAND DAUGHTERS!!!
NotAgain says
SO SAD THAT MANY FOSTER PARENTS ABUSE THE SYSTEM AN MAKE IT A BUSINESS!! THEY GET MONEY PER KID, CLOTHING MONEY AN MONEY FOR FOOD!! IVE PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN THIS GO ON!! SOCIAL WORKERS KNOW ALL THIS AN MOST DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!!! THE SYSTEM WILL AN ALWAYS BE CORRUPTED!!! NOT SAYING ALL FOSTER PARENTS ARE LIKE THIS BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE’S DOES BAD ONES!!!
Are you sure you know whar you are talking about? says
Are you sure you know whar you are talking about?
NotAgain says
YUUP!!
ITS ALL A BUSINESS! AND THE SAD THING IS MOST KIDS ARE ABUSE IN FOSTER CARE OR LEFT OUT WHEN THERE 18 YEARS OF AGE!!! NOT SAYING EVERYONE BUT THAT’S THE TRUTH!!
Mike says
My parents are foster care providers and the money that they receive does not really cover the total expenses they have. They have paid allot of money out of pocket to help these kids.
However there are foster parents out there that are in it just for a paycheck and quite frankly the kids are worse off there than if they were with their parents.
Foster organizations do not do a enough to screen some of these families or they are the workers relatives and place the kids with them instead of a productive family that will help.
These kids need to placed with FP that are somewhat matched to their personalities but more times than not they are setup to fail due to the environment they are placed. I think it is time to either step up to the plate as parents or be forced to have a permanent birth control implemented disallowing any parent that has lost a child to the foster system for abuse, drugs, neglect ETC hell we spay and neuter dogs and cats why not unproductive people that have no ambition in life but to live off the county, sell Drug or commit criminal acts that force their kids into the foster program.
NotAgain says
YOU SEE!!!! THATS WHAT I’VE BEEN SAYING THAT THERES THE GOOD ONES AN BAD ONES!!! IVE SEEN IT FOR MY SELF ABOUT HOW IT’S A BUSINESS AN HOW THE KIDS ARE TREATED!!! BUT I AGREE WITH YOU AN GOD BLESS YOUR PARENTS!! BUT ONCE THIS KIDS TURN 18! MOST OF THEM WIND UP IN THE STREETS(HOMELESS)!
gogetem says
and they are targeted by these gang’s and human/sex trafficker’s who prey on there weakness, and take some of them over and have them do illegal stuff. The poor foster kids grow up and don’t have real family, so these people act like there friends and manipulate them. ITS VERY SAD!! If the people in the court’s really cared they would get these kids back home with real family members.
sammy P says
Another powerhappy judge abusing authority? Wouldn’t be the first time. Judges wield a ton of power over people’s lives, and sometimes their own emotions, greed or personal problems get in the way of using that power fairly. Remember the case of the juvenile judge who was sentencing kids to a youth facility because he received money for every kid he sent there? He had a friend who ran the youth facility. He would have got away with it, but he got greedy and started sending kids there even when their cases did not justify it.
Time will tell I guess – the family has raised enough of a stink now that I am sure someone will look into the case.
One thing I am confused about. What does diabetes have to do with anything? Its certainly not good for an 8 year old to have diabetes but what does that have to do with the Keiths? Are they being accused of causing it? Not treating it?
God Bless says
Did anyone see the article in the paper about human/sex trafficer’s are targeting our foster kids so once they grow up they can use them and make $140,000 a year? I really think we need to keep track of our foster kids. I’m worried for this girl. They probably have foster homes wanting these kids so they can recruit them into this. I think the court needs to reunite these kids with THERE FAMILY, because I would hate for this to happen to innocent KIDS. I know someone who didn’t do drugs and someone got them to do it and then called on them and reported it to DCFS. They probably want there kids so there can use them.
Candice says
Skeba has always been this way and made rulings that are not in the best interst of kids. She puts kids back in homes where they continue to be abused because they are the family. You have not idea how much goes into foster care and the committment families make to have a place that is safe for these kids to go. You only hear about the few that are bad, but not the thousands that literally commit their lives to helping the kids who need to be in foster care.
sharon griffing says
This is hard to comprehend. Both DCFS and CASA recommended the child not be removed, yet she was. I’m praying for this little girl. I agree that this child’s name should not have been reported in article.
ed says
There is arrogance in being able to determine the lives of people. Some Judges are arrogant
s.h says
seeing how she is the daughter of the sister her last name is diffrent. So it doent matter.
Letlow says
Exactly. A first name is not a major identifying factor. I do believe there is more to this story though. My mind refuses to comprehend that anyone who rises to that level of power can be petty enough to remove a child based on ego alone. There must be some other reason. If not, this Skeba woman needs to be removed from the court system immediately.
Letlow says
Geesh that was quick! I barely made my comment and poof the name has vanished from the article. I still believe that a first name is not a major identifying factor and the name could’ve stay. Ah well, what do I know…
Candice says
You have no idea how they use their power it is aweful sometimes how they go against DCFS and not in the best interest of the child, but simply because it is family. Never mind they are in foster care for years and only know the foster parents as their mother and father, that is a tragedy, We need to learn about what the best interest of the child really is, not the best interest of the parent who creates the problem in the first place.
cheryl says
the child’s name should be removed from this article. please.