Rescue The Fosters: DCFS STOLE HER CHILDREN! w/ Mykel Cheyen Ray

Background & How My Case Began

My name is Mykel Cheyen Ray, and I am a mother of three beautiful children—Isaac (10), Leticia (6), and Kimori (4). My story begins in a place of survival. I am a survivor of domestic violence and human trafficking at the hands of my oldest son’s father, Isaac. I fought hard to escape that life and build a future where my children could grow up safe, loved, and free.

In 2020, DCFS took my children, citing concerns that I had neglected their safety. However, the situation was far more complex. My son Isaac had unexplained marks and scars on him while he was going between my home and his father’s. I reported these concerns to DCFS, hoping they would protect my son, but instead, they turned it against me, questioning why I hadn’t taken him to the hospital instead. At the time, I truly believed that making a report to DCFS was the right course of action.

From January to April 2020, I was in contact with DCFS investigator Andrew Anderson, asking for help and guidance, but he failed to follow up properly. Instead of investigating my son’s father, DCFS took my children. When I went to court, my public defender at the time, Michael Parker, pressured me into stipulating my rights—something I did not understand. I was pregnant, scared, and felt forced into agreeing to things without a fair hearing.

Everything I’ve Done to Get My Children Back

For almost five years, I have done everything the system has asked of me—and more. I have taken every class, completed every evaluation, and worked tirelessly to prove my fitness as a mother.

Here is everything I have completed:

• Parenting Classes (2020)

• Parent Coaching (2021, again in April 2024, and a third time in August 2024)

• Two Domestic Violence Classes

• Two Psychiatric Evaluations (both concluded that no medication was necessary and that I have a high level of resilience)

• Parent Capacity Assessment

• Psychological Assessment

• Consistent Individual Therapy

• Passed ALL random drug tests

• Maintained a job despite my disability (I broke my ankle in August 2023, had surgery with a plate and 11 screws, and still deal with pain/swelling)

• Built a strong support system including state representatives, my church, and multiple professionals who have written character witness statements in my favor

I also have two powerful character witness statements:

1. Jennifer Ebner, LaSalle County Clerk, who has seen my love and dedication as a mother firsthand.

2. Beth Findley Smith, a CASA, who observed my visits and described my strong bond with my daughter, Leticia, and my attentiveness as a parent.

Despite doing everything required and more, DCFS and Easterseals continue to push for the termination of my parental rights—even though Camelot (the agency overseeing Isaac) has no concerns and fully supports the reunification of ALL my children.

The System’s Retaliation Against Me

Throughout this fight, I have faced retaliation for advocating for my children.

• In 2022, my unsupervised visits with Leticia were taken away after I called the hotline on her foster home due to suspected abuse. Instead of investigating the foster home, Easterseals punished me.

• Caseworker Luka falsely claimed that I treat my son Isaac differently because of his father—which is absolutely untrue. I love and treat all my children equally, adjusting only for their individual needs.

• They accused me of calling my son “slow,” which is a complete lie—I cherish and celebrate my children just as they are.

• The behavioral specialist, Colette Gillis, has shown clear bias against me, often displaying hostility in visits.

• One behavioral report claims I called everyone ‘evil,’ which is false—I was simply praying with my daughter after a timeout. I believe in freedom of speech and religion, and this should never have been used against me.

How This Has Affected My Family

The last five years have been excruciating for my children and me.

• Every visit, my children ask to come home—especially my daughter, Leticia.

• My daughter’s foster parent threatened to change her name and information to prevent future contact with me.

• I am watching my babies grow up in separate homes when they should be together, loved, and safe in their mother’s arms.

This system is meant to protect families, but instead, it has ripped mine apart without justification.

Why I Am Speaking Out

I am done being silent. God is opening doors, and I will walk through them.

I refuse to let the system erase me as my children’s mother. I will continue to fight, pray, and speak the truth until justice is served and my babies are back where they belong.

Give Send Go: https://www.givesendgo.com/SupportMykelRay
X: https://x.com/ResilientMama95