Sometimes you get in over your head and you have tried everything and nothing seems to work. What do you do? Well my mom always taught me to pray. So down on my knees I go again.

We had our second court date for my middle daughter April. She is 16 and 1/2 years old. We have been struggling to raise her since she was 5. We have had her in therapy and every type of counseling there is to find. She is on medication now for Bipolar Disorder. She is diagnosed with ODD also.

We looked today at her court record and it was four pages long. It included assault and possession of tobacco and alcohol, along with a list of other charges.

When we went before the Judge today, they basically said that the juvenile court gives up on her. So they turned her over to the custody of DHS, leaving her in our home until DHS does an evaluation.

We know that as parents we have done everything we know how to try and encourage her and nothing has worked for long. She is so negative and defiant. But I know she loves us. Part of her is the most precious little girl on earth and then she changes into this person that no one can get along with, never taking responsibility for her own actions but always blaming others for what ever happens. I broke down and cried because basically I finally had to admit I can not do anything else for her.

It makes you feel that you are a failure as a parent. We have put 11 years into this child and we have stood strong and beside her through everything that has happened.

So now who knows what will happen. As we know DHS does not always have the time to put into one case and do what is best for the child. I do not even know what grounds we stand on has her adoptive parents now. We didn't even get a chance to speak.

So I ask all of you that say those little prayers tonight to put April on your list. She is a bright young lady who makes horrid decisions and now I am afraid the system will work more against her than for her if she gets the wrong worker. But she has made her own choices. Now she has to live with them.

Custody is no longer in our hands.