***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

 

December 7, 2004

 

 

For Further Information, Please Contact:

 

Arlene Mayerson
Directing Attorney
(amayerson@dredf.org)
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF)
2212 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-644-2555 (Voice/TTY)
510-841-8645 (Fax)

 

Ralph Sanders
ACB Media Relations Coordinator
(ralphsanders_1@juno.com)

 

American Council of the Blind
360-892-9229 (Voice)
http://www.acb.org

 

SAN MATEO COUNTY AGREES TO CLOSE CPS INVESTIGATION OF ZEPEDA FAMILY

 

The Zepeda family was contacted late this afternoon by San Mateo County Counsel concerning the County's Child Protective Services investigation of Marco and Adelina Zepeda. The investigation was instigated last Friday, December 3, 2004, mere hours after the Zepedas had given birth to their healthy seven-pound son, Rivaldo. In a letter sent to the Zepedas counsel, Arlene Mayerson (DREDF's Directing Attorney), County Counsel Thomas Casey and David Silberman stated that the County's investigation of the Zepedas is now closed based on a conclusion that the referral is unfounded and there will be no additional contact by Children and Family Services related to the referral. No conditions were attached to the close of San Mateo County's investigation.

 

The American Council of the Blind and its State affiliate, the California Council of the Blind, as well as numerous other disability advocacy organizations all over the country have been working tirelessly on behalf of the Zepedas ever since last Friday evening, when Child Protective Services made their first attempt to intervene by having the Zepedas relinquish their new-born son into foster care. Margie Donavon, herself a blind parent, has advocated on behalf of the family since Rivaldo's birth. The Zepedas story has also brought public attention to the kind of blatant discrimination and stereotype that many parents with disabilities are subjected to when they choose to exercise their right to bear and care for their children. San Mateo County's reversal is confirmation of the Zepedas rights and capabilities as parents, and is a victory for the civil rights of all persons with disabilities.

 

The Zepedas cannot recover what should have been their first private and tender hours with their son, but they can at least rest assured that their sleep will now only be interrupted by Rivaldo's cries, and not a county agency threatening to take away their newborn.

 

DREDF is a Berkeley-based, non-profit law and policy center nationally recognized for its expertise in the interpretation of disability rights laws. Staffed and Board-run by persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, DREDF is involved in education, policy, and advocacy efforts dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of persons with disabilities.

 

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