Three-year-old April* was born in Jamaica. When April was only two-months-old, her mother Latisha was arrested for smuggling drugs into the United States. Following Latisha's arrest, a social worker placed April in a foster home with Manny, a U.S. citizen of Jamaican descent. Latisha was convicted and sentenced to a federal penitentiary for five years.

April thrived and flourished in her foster home. The social service agency monitored the case and an attorney from KidsVoice was assigned to advocate for April. Four years later, Latisha was released from prison and was to be extradited to Jamaica. She'd had no contact with April for four years. The social service agency planned to immediately remove April from Manny's home, reunite mother and daughter at the airport and send them back to Jamaica.

Marilyn*, a child advocate and attorney for KidsVoice, went to court to fight for April's rights. Marilyn argued that April should not summarily be torn away from the only home and family she'd ever known. Otherwise, April would be sent to live in another country with an unfit mother who was virtually a stranger to her.

After hearing the KidsVoice recommendation, the judge ordered that it was in April's best interest to remain with Manny. Today, April has a sense of well-being and a happy home. She's been adopted by Manny and has visited Jamaica, where she visited with her birth mother's family.

*The names and photos have been changed to protect identities and maintain confidentiality.