I’m somewhat suspicious of this attorney for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Pinellas County, Florida.

Remember this is the agency whose legal department buried the report of one of their investigators, Mitchell Turner, who alleged numerous accounts of felonious abuse of Terri Schiavo.

We then find Lima-Smith arguing before Judge George Greer that the DCF doesn’t need the judge’s approval to go in and take custody of Terri Schiavo, almost as though she is asking the judge to step in and prohibit DCF from acting. Since Florida state law provides total legal autonomy in cases of alleged abuse to agencies such as DCF, why even make a case before Judge Greer?

TownHall.com writes:

“The law allows the department to exercise both emergency protective services — intervention and emergency removal — either one or both,” Lima-Smith told Greer.

The statute also appears to specifically exempt DCF from an otherwise enforceable mandate to seek Michael Schiavo’s permission to remove Terri.

TownHall again:

“If the vulnerable adult’s caregiver or guardian is present, the protective investigator must seek the caregiver’s or guardian’s consent … before the vulnerable adult may be removed from the premises,” the law states, “unless the protective investigator suspects that the vulnerable adult’s caregiver or guardian has caused the abuse, neglect, or exploitation.”

The only authorization or requirement for the involvement of the courts in an emergency intervention or removal comes after DCF has taken its action. “The department shall, within 24 hours after providing or arranging for emergency removal of the vulnerable adult, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, petition the court for an order authorizing emergency protective services.”

It would seem the only reason Lima-Smith is bringing all this before the judge is to try and find a way to stop legally required action by DCF.

Then we find DCF attorney, Lima-Smith, trying to get Judge Greer to seal all the records of DCF regarding Terri Schiavo. I wonder why that would be? Her reason, “that it’s time to bring this case to an end” is very weak. Could it be that there is serious credible evidence Terri Schiavo was being abused? Could they be trying to hide a cover-up or incompetence or illegal activity and complicity? Could DCF want to hide the fact that they ignored the law in Schiavo’s case?

It’s interesting to note that in early March, 2005 Lima-Smith was trying to seal records of DCF because she was concerned for the safety of those reporting the incidents.

ABC News reported:

“Privacy rights and the concerns of other individuals may be affected by the release of that document,” Lima-Smith argued before Judge Greer in trying to prevent the documents she provided to the Judge from being released to the public.

The ever obliging Judge Greer sealed the records except for Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband. He can look at them. Hmmm. I wonder why that would be. If Lima-Smith is concerned about the safety of informants, isn’t Michael’s access to these records running some risks given his reputation for being a hot head? Two of Michael’s former girlfriends were afraid of Michael Schiavo and what they perceived to be his threats of revenge. DCF was aware of this as was evidenced by a recorded telephone conversation with Bobby Schindler, Terri’s brother, and one of those girlfriends. Is it also possible Michael will be allowed to object to what was in the reports and consequently have the allegations removed or destroyed? Given the apparent corruption epidemic in Pinellas County Florida, this is certainly within the scope of possibilities.

It sure seems like the “preventing harm” argument of Lima-Smith was a smokescreen. But maybe it’s just the esteemed judge trying to silence anyone who might have the desire to come to Terri’s defense post mortem. Using Michael to intimidate would be a slick move by the one-sided court.

And then there’s Secretary Hadi.

According to the Tampa Tribune:

At an afternoon news conference (late March, 2005), while Governor Bush was weighing his options, Hadi cautiously stated, “DCF could take protective custody of Mrs. Schiavo, and I’ll leave it at that.” Later, she stated, “We have no present plans to take Terri Schiavo into protective custody.”

Why did she go public and alert the Felos bunch and Judge Greer that Governor Bush was actually going to enforce state law and have DCF take action?

The Chicago Tribune cites Hadi:

According to DCF Secretary Lucy Hadi under state law the agency is authorized to intervene and have Schiavo’s sustenance restored even without a court order.

So why didn’t DCF just do what they usually do, haul people away for the slightest hint of abuse?

It’s all very interesting and very suspicious. But then maybe it’s all just more innocuous coincidence like the rest of the web is supposed to be. Anybody interested in a good murder mystery?