Story of Hope: Simeon & Laura Sutton
December Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Simeon & Laura's Advocate Supervisor
Adrian (6) and Evanie (1) were removed from their home due to abuse and neglect. Adrian made an outcry of being slapped by his mother’s boyfriend, but his mother refused to believe it was her boyfriend who cause the mark on his cheek. After an investigation, the Department agreed to refer this case to Family Based Safety Services, who offered the mother services, but she refused to cooperate. As a result, the case was referred to the courts, and both Adrian and Evanie were removed and placed in foster care.
Mr. and Mrs. Sutton signed up to Advocate for Adrian and Evanie February 2019. They immediately visited the children and reached out to anyone who was currently involved on their case. When they found out that Adrian had had a kindergarten graduation that no one attended, Simeon drove to the school with a big balloon and told him how sorry they were that they didn’t know about his graduation. He just looked at Simeon with a big smile and said, “but YOU CAME!”
He just looked at Simeon with a big smile and said, “but YOU CAME!”
When the kids were moved to a shelter, their third placement in 7 months, Simeon and Laura were there to transport them. When Adrian started whimpering in fear, they held him and comforted him. Simeon and Laura advocated for Adrian and Evanie to be in the same room while in the shelter, and stayed until they were calm and settled. While the children were at the shelter, Simeon and Laura visited them in person or by phone every day to ensure their needs were being met.
Not long after the move to the shelter, Simeon and Laura saw a big decline in Adrian’s demeanor and behavior. When the shelter requested the children be moved, they quickly looked into options for the kids. They knew the kids couldn’t emotionally handle another move to a shelter, and advocated for them to live with grandma instead through an expedited home study. Simeon and Laura were able to help the grandmother prepare so the kids could stay with her as a more permanent placement with a goal of reunification. Now, the kids are thriving with grandma and happy to be with family.
Without Simeon and Laura’s commitment to find family for Adrian and Evanie, the children would have struggled to find permanency and their mother’s rights might have been terminated completely. Thanks to Simeon and Laura, these kids are with family and have achieved permanency.
Help us provide more Advocates like Simeon & Laura who are willing to go above and beyond to provide a voice for children in foster care.
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In November 2025, Child Protective Services received a referral involving two sisters, ages 13 and 14, who were found caring for themselves. Following the death of their father, the girls experienced ongoing abuse and neglect. They were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, frequently left alone without adequate food, functioning plumbing, or consistent supervision, and were exposed to strangers regularly coming in and out of the home. Shortly after removal, Tameka Woolfolk was appointed as the Advocate on the case. From the very beginning, Tameka became one of the few consistent and reliable adults in the girls’ lives. The children experienced and continue to endure placement changes. These frequent transitions created ongoing instability and further complicated the girls’ ability to heal and adjust. Throughout each move, Tameka remained steadily involved, working diligently to ensure that the children’s services and support continued without interruption. She supports the girls not only emotionally, but physically as well helping pack their belongings at each move, accompanying them during school tours, and remaining readily available whenever they need support. Neither child was initially aware that they had the right to speak directly with the judge. Tameka recognized the importance of their voices being heard and with the support of the Ad Litem, helped to facilitate their presence at court, requesting that the judge meet with the girls in a breakout room, so they could personally express their wishes, all with the department, CASA and the Ad Litem by their side. In addition, this case was referred to Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE). During CASA’s ongoing exploration for family connections alongside the Department, Tameka discovered the children’s father’s obituary. Through this discovery, it was learned that the girls’ father had served in the United States Army as a combat medic during the Vietnam War and later worked for 30 years in civil service. Tameka took the initiative to request documentation, including VA records and a death certificate, to determine whether the children might be eligible for survivor benefits. The obituary also revealed that the girls are two of fourteen siblings. While many of the siblings were unable to provide support, CASA and the Department were able to establish contact with one brother. Through Tameka’s strong collaborative relationship with the Department and the Attorney Ad Litem, a thoughtful and appropriate plan was developed to allow the girls to begin visits with their brother, his wife, and their cousins. Although this story is still unfolding, both girls know one unwavering belief, that no matter what comes next, they know that Miss Tameka will continue to stand beside them every step of the way.
Lauren Lynes-Martinez
