Family Protests Children’s Services

A group of protesters stood with signs in hand near Muskingum County Children Services protesting Monday.

Janet Joseph and her husband are taking their anger to the streets as they picket Children’s Services in downtown Zanesville. The Joseph’s said 16 months ago they were investigated for child abuse. Joseph and her husband take care of seven children. Three they adopted the other four are in their legal custody.

She said the oldest of the seven was taken from the home for 12 hours and then brought back after investigators began looking into alleged abuse.

"They substantiated abuse which is not right because they are not the judges and the jury. They are not the executioner. I’ve got the Lord on my side and I got people of Zanesville that’s back me," said Joseph.

Joseph said because of the findings a daycare she ran from the home had it’s licensed revoked by Job and Family Services. The organization said they were following rules established by the Ohio Revised Code.

"They took pictures of little round bruises. They took pictures of hang nails. They were trying to say it was all from belts and it’s not," explained Joseph.

While Children’s Services cannot discuss the details of the Joseph’s case they said the investigation lasted at least 30 days. They understand the family’s strong feelings and said they are with-in their right to protest, but the department sticks to it’s findings.

"We do have excellent investigators," said Children Service’s Public Information Gary King. "We stand behind them and trust their judgment and believe that they do a very good job."

Joseph said the case leaves her emotional.

"It tears you down. It makes you not believe in yourself no more.  It makes you feel like you’ve done something very wrong and you know didn’t do it in your heart," said Joseph.

The Joseph’s did appeal the case and the findings were upheld.

"I’m not going to leave. They ain’t going to get rid of Janet Joseph. What they done was wrong need to accept that."