DCFS Retaliation Against Parent Advocate: The Case of Marissa Hernandez

My friend, Marissa Hernandez, is now the latest victim of targeted retaliation by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Not because she harmed her children. But because she stood up for the truth and supported me including Susan Schofield, January Schofield, and Samuel Nicholas in exposing the corruption in my federal civil rights lawsuit. Marissa helped me and other parents with their cases. Like me, she is representing herself pro se in court to fight back.

As the CEO of Stolen Children by CPS, I have seen firsthand how DCFS and other agencies retaliate against parents who speak up. Marissa is not just a mother. She is an advocate, a whistleblower, and a fighter. That made her a target.

Here is what happened.

Marissa supported me in my case against Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties for CPS misconduct. In response, DCFS went after her and her children. They removed them without justification.

In text messages, Marissa explains how DCFS violated a court-issued restraining order by giving her abuser her address. DCFS ignored documented domestic violence, including police reports and her son Joshua’s injuries. DCFS allowed her daughter to attend court without proper authorization. DCFS contacted the FBI, TSA, and local police to intimidate and silence her.

According to the Last Minute Information filed for Isabella Hernandez’s case, DCFS began monitoring Marissa’s Facebook. They asked the court to issue a nondissemination order to stop her from speaking publicly. This action was not to protect the children. It was to shield the agency from accountability.

The Proposed Nondissemination Order confirms this pattern of retaliation. Marissa was punished for calling out abuse of power. Not for violating confidentiality. Not for harming her children. She was speaking out about misconduct and corruption that the public has a right to know.

This is a clear violation of Marissa’s First Amendment rights. She did nothing wrong. She did what every parent should be allowed to do. Speak the truth. Defend her family. Expose abuse of power.

This is what happens when parent partners and advocates challenge the system. DCFS retaliates. DCFS silences. DCFS strips parental rights in secrecy. We will not stay silent. The more they try to cover up, the more we will expose.

Stolen Children by CPS will continue to fight for families like Marissa’s. This is not justice. This is retaliation.

This is not over. We will continue to fight back against an evil, corrupt system.