“It’s really efforts of the community and the outcry of the community for children,” said Rosario Chico.
She said she has been pushing for an investigation into the Department of Human Services ever since her children were taken away three years ago.
She said it wasn’t easy.
2News covered previous attempts to get the petition approved: PETITION FILED: Advocates ask for grand jury to investigate DHS
PETITION FILED: Advocates ask for grand jury to investigate DHS
“I haven’t had my children for three years. I haven’t been found unfit by DHS,” said Chico. “My children are in a guardianship. That’s a default guardianship, and it’s been very difficult to undo.”
An Oklahoma Judge approved the petition for five thousand signatures in order to get an investigation into the Department of Human Services.
Rosario said in order to make change, she decided to work for the department and see what was happening for herself.
“I just didn’t want to be a mom who would say my children were failed by DHS,” said Chico. “I wanted to know, by experience, by training, by policy, that yes, in fact, my children were failed.”