Case Study for Unit 9 Assignment

Mother: Alexandra, age 29, White Non-Hispanic

Father: Colton, age 31, African American

Children: Justin, age 9, biracial; Joanna, age 2, White Non-Hispanic

Presenting Scenario
A neighbor, Mr. Smith, contacted the DFCS hotline at 8:30 p.m. to report that Justin and Joanna
were alone at home. Justin was responsible for watching Joanna while his mother, Alexandra,
went to work. During this time, Joanna began to run a fever and started vomiting. Justin went
next door to Mr. Smith and asked for help. Mr. Smith tried to call Alexandra multiple times at
work (with the number given to him by Justin), but he was unable to reach her. Mr. Smith
decided to contact DFCS. The on-call caseworker went to the home and spoke with Mr. Smith
and Justin. Justin reported he thought his mother would be home around 11:30 p.m. She was
working as a waitress at a restaurant.

The caseworker discovered that Mr. Smith had given a dose of Tylenol that he found in
Joanna’s diaper bag. The caseworker documented the state of the house. There were clothes
on the floor and pots and pans in the sink. During this time, the caseworker also discovered that
Justin watched Joanna after school as well. Mr. Smith volunteered to wait with the children until
Alexandra got home from work.

At 11:45 p.m., Alexandra arrived home. The caseworker explained what had happened.
Alexandra was defensive initially but calmed down once she understood that Joanna was sick,
and Justin was afraid and did not know what to do. Alexandra stated that she had recently been
moved to a second-shift position and could not quit due to financial issues. The caseworker
stated she understood; however, she expressed concern for the children being unsupervised at
the house for long periods. The on-call caseworker stated she would be in touch the next day.

Background Information
Alexandra was born into a middle-class family in a small rural town in Georgia. Alexandra states
that she had a normal childhood. She reports that her parents are still married, and she
considers herself to have a close relationship with them. When she was a senior in high school,
she met Colton and fell in love. Alexandra and Colton began to date secretly. Both of them were
concerned about how their family would react to their relationship. After high school, they both
decided to go to the same college. In her sophomore year, Alexandra discovered she was
pregnant with Justin. They both realized they could not hide their relationship from their families
so they went together to talk with their parents. Alexandra’s parents were very upset and hurt.
They gave Alexandra an ultimatum: break up with Colton and have an abortion, or they would
cut off all support to her. Alexandra decided to stay with Colton and have the baby. Alexandra’s
parents stopped paying her college, so she dropped out and got a job waitressing at a local
restaurant. Colton also dropped out of college and obtained a job at a local manufacturing
company.
Alexandra and Colton struggled financially with little family support. Ultimately, they divorced
after 5 years. Colton was active in Justin’s life and financially and emotionally supported
Alexandra after the divorce. A few years after the divorce Alexandra had a brief relationship with
another man that resulted in Joanna's birth. Joanna has never met her father, and Alexandra
does not know his whereabouts. Colton was very hurt by Alexandra's relationship and, while
maintaining visitation with Justin, has distanced himself from Alexandra. Also, Colton was
recently laid off from his job and cannot make regular child support payments for Justin.
Alexandra is working extra shifts at the hospital to keep up with bills. She has a daycare for
Joanna, and Justin is in school. She uses her dinner break between shifts to pick up Justin at
school, pick up Joanna at daycare, and settle them at home before returning to work a second
shift. She typically works two to three extra shifts per week. Alexandra expresses regret for
relying on Justin for the care of Joanna but sees no alternative. She describes Justin as a
mature, responsible child who is "no trouble" and is able to take care of himself. She expresses
confidence that he can also care for Joanna. She describes Joanna as a rambunctious two-
year-old.

Alexandra reports that Colton is not very involved in the children’s lives and that her relationship
with him can be conflicted at times. She does not want him to find out that she relies on Justin to
babysit. She states that she is very private, making it difficult for her to ask for support.
Alexandra also reports that she has seen a counselor but is reluctant to provide information
about that experience. She also states that she continues to be estranged from her parents and
does not consider them a potential avenue for support.