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Samantha Hayes ReportingMore than half the time when children are taken out of their homes and away from their parents, drugs are to blame, methamphetamines in particular. It is a very difficult situation for people working with these children and their drug addicted parents. A conference about that very subject is going on in Park City.
It's the first time local child welfare workers have gathered to talk about this, and it comes at a time when the judicial system is being criticized for a recent case that ended in the death of an infant.
There was a custody battle, a drug problem and a decision to be made. That's what faced the judge in the case of Estella Lacey. Her father was forced to return the baby to her mother. The child died in her care after ingesting meth.
Dayla Morrow, Grandmother: "It's been devastating."
Child welfare workers say children are the innocent victims in methamphetamine abuse.
Ray Wahl, Juvenile Court Administrator: "In the Salt Lake are alone, 60-percent of children removed from homes, it is the result of parents using, distributing methamphetamines."
When children are taken out of the home, parents are ordered to get help. Health care workers say recovery time for meth use is at least two years and resources are overwhelmed.
Katie Gregory, Asst. Juvenile Court Administrator: "We have some very good providers, but the resources are slim and the need is great."
The state says it works towards reuniting children with their parents, but meth use complicates that decision.
Ray Wahl: "Even though child welfare only represents seven-percent of the cases justice court gets, it takes over 55-percent of the judges' time."
Katie Gregory: "We have a lot of cases with drug involvement and meth is often the drug of choice in those cases."
