State Helps Woman Pay Littering Fine

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State Helps Woman Pay Littering Fine

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Posted: 10:01 PM Mar 25, 2008
Last Updated: 11:18 PM Mar 25, 2008
Reporter: WSAZ News Channel 3
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

30 comments

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - When a Roane County woman faced a $195 littering fine she couldn't afford, she had help from an unlikely benefactor: the state of West Virginia.

The Department of Health and Human Resources paid the woman's fine because if she had defaulted, she could have lost custody of her children.

Under a 1984 federal court order, commonly called the "Gibson decree," the state has to make all "reasonable efforts" to keep families facing child protective actions together.

That can include helping to pay rent, utilities and, in this case, littering fines.

Deputy DHHR Commissioner Louis Palma said such cases are a last resort, and don't happen often.

Palma also said the state only pays fines if they are relatively small and for minor infractions.

Allowing the woman, whose name has been withheld by the state, to default on the fine could have ended up being more expensive.

If her children had been placed in foster homes or child care, it could have cost the state thousands of dollars.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 10:11 AM
If she can't afford to pay a $195 fine how is she able to afford to raise her children. How can it cost the state more to put the children in foster homes when the state is already paying her to raise her children. I bet she gets every hand out that WV has to offer. If you can't afford children don't have them. I'm sick of all my hard earned money going to these people who keep having children because then their check is bigger.

Posted by: Betty on Mar 28, 2008 at 06:07 AM
My bet would be that the DHHR should not have paid this fine, but due to human error or poor judgement, it was paid and now justified. I haven't a clue who this person is or the circumstances around the situation so I'm saying we shouldn't judge. I was driving down the road one day with my 3 year old, with the windows down and before I knew it, she let go of a food wrapper and out the window it went. Littering? Yes, it was. Deliberate? No, it wasn't but if I had been cited, it would be littering, no matter what the excuse. My opinion is the DHHR shouldn't pay fines for people ever, but like anything that is meant to assist the public, it will be abused and misused. I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape about it because my tax dollars are being used for a lot worse things and unless I quit work and join the bandwagon, it will continue.

Posted by: don on Mar 27, 2008 at 08:29 PM
applause to WEST VIRGINIA!! for all the complainers..".GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES"

Posted by: anonomous on Mar 27, 2008 at 07:02 PM
she littered let her pay the fine or due the time this takes away from people that really needs help the states don't care draw a check and who cares about low income families that 200.00 dollars could have bought someone work clothes or support a child in need ohio also has this problem lady you need to pay this back in full dumbhead why should taxpayers pay your fines while we all work and go to college to be something get a real life dumbhead! she must have a problem called i don't have to work cause welfare and the state will pay for littering you are wrong get a job bumb!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 27, 2008 at 07:00 PM
tax payers dollars at work!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: One Womans Voice on Mar 27, 2008 at 04:13 PM
This made me sooo angry. I left an extremely abusive marriage that I had been in for years. He made threats to my family that if he found me they would bury me. I stayed with friends and went to DHHR to apply for food stamps. I was told no because I was required to work so many hours...I tried to explained that at that time I couldnt because he was looking for me and I needed a little time for him to calm down before I was forced to see him. That was 3 years ago and I never went back to him and DHHR never helped me. I cant believe they would pay a littering fine...

Posted by: anon on Mar 27, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Well, it would be nice if they would at least make her work off the money by picking up trash along the roadways. Sounds like the kids should be taken away and live with someone who can teach them morals and how to obey the law and not use the system. lol!!! fat chance..

Posted by: Anon on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:51 AM
oh kathy...max 3 days a week you can work...come on

Posted by: Angie on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Sorry to say this just another example of our countie's DHHR claim to fame......STUPIDITY. Either to lazy to act on situations that need to be dealt with or they find a creative way to make it go away so we won't have to deal with the possible paper work. They do not take children away from those who neglect and abuse why would I believe they would put someone in jail for a fine they could not pay. It just doesn't happen. Even paying $5.00 a week would be taking some responsibility for her actions. The state and especially our county does not make anyone responsible for their actions. We have become enablers...so the behavior goes on. WAKE UP WV!!

Posted by: Debbie on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Totally agree with Steve. Picking up trash would have suited the violation perfectly

Posted by: Kathy on Mar 27, 2008 at 10:45 AM
THis is ridiclous! This woman gets out of paying something that she CHOSE to do. When my husband got laid off, we couldn't get food stamps, help, anything from the state. I work three days a week (max I can work) and they say we still made too much money. Well I'm sorry but 6.50 an hour doesn't help when you have two vehcile payments a house payment lot payment, your utilities, and I'm talking about the basics. We have no tv, we haven't had it since we moved in together. I don't pay $100 for something that isn't worth it. We have our water, our power, and our phone. WHAT WE NEED! And they think me working only 3 days a week at 6.50 an hour could support us. My husband tried everyday for a job, but people don't realize how hard it is to find a job here. He finally found something, which was alot lower paying then what he had, but he took it. And we are just now after 8 months starting to get somewhat caught up. ITS STUPID!! The people who need help CANT GET IT!

Posted by: Why not on Mar 27, 2008 at 08:32 AM
I have an idea lets all take all trash and put it on the state lawn. After it does belong to the people.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 27, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Huh, what kind of littering was it? Did she not take her trash off, did she let it pile up? I dont know what happened here but I know why some people are tempted to throw their trash over a bank, its because the waste management people are morons. We took our trash to the dump the other day and it had a tarp over it and strapped it down too but the idiots at the dump refused to take it because the tarp wasnt plastic. What difference did it make what the tarps fabric was as long as it was over the garbage so that it wouldnt fly all over the road? It wasnt like they were gonna get to keep the tarp for themselves. but stupid stuff like this is irritating for people who actually try to do things right. And for those who dont care, it just helps them to throw it over a bank.

Posted by: K.R.L. on Mar 26, 2008 at 07:16 PM
BY THE STATE, YOU MEAN US THE TAX PAYERS RIGHT.

Posted by: mom of 2 on Mar 26, 2008 at 06:06 PM
That is the problem with Welfare, some people let their bill go, knowing that welfare will pick it up for them. There needs to be a change in the welfare laws. We, as taxpayers shouldn't have to take care of the welfare cases just because they choose not to work!

Posted by: Lynn on Mar 26, 2008 at 04:56 PM
If the truth be known, DHHR probably pays her past due utilities also.

Posted by: Robert on Mar 26, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I totally agree with Steve. Why could'nt she pick up trash along the side of the road. She could have paid off her debt to the state and also helped clean up the roads she trashed up. The next time I need a overdue tax bill paid I will notify the state for a check.

Posted by: amanda on Mar 26, 2008 at 01:23 PM
If the woman littered, she needs to be punished somehow. Her kids shouldnt be taken away, but maybe community service. She knew it was against the law, and it probably wasnt the first time she done it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:49 PM
whats wrong with you people

Posted by: anon. on Mar 26, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Did you guys not read "Allowing the woman, whose name has been withheld by the state, to default on the fine could have ended up being more expensive." I'd rather not thousands of dollars for her kids to go into foster care. I'll choose paying a 195 dollar fine. I'm sure they just threw the ticket away and pretended like it didn't even happen. On the otherhand, maybe the kids need to be taken away because their parents can't afford 195 dollars. They should have gave her a job. That would be like tourcher for her.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I really dont have anything to say about this. I'm so far in debt because of this state. Where is all of my help at, along with everyone else in WV?

Posted by: Melissa on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:23 AM
The DHHR won't PROTECT Abused children, filthy children under fed children but by god take them away from a mother who can't pay a littering fine.... (I do not approve of littering by the way but my GOD !!) THAT A BOY ol' GOV. That's a way to let your state agencies be ran...HEY DHHR did you think you were gonna get praise for this one ???

Posted by: anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Can I let my garbage accumulate, then will the State pay to have my garbage picked up? Lets treat everyone equal, and have free garbage pick up.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 07:40 AM
this is crazy, where is the help when we need it for things. My husband and I both work full time jobs, he carries insurance on the kids but it isn't much we have no dental coverage I begged them to just let me have the assistance of a medical card for one month to get dental checkups. they said because my husband is supposed to recieve child support for my step children that we have to high of an income. He hasnt gotten child support from her in over 5 years but they still count the income. We asked about CHIPS and they said we would have to be without insurance for 6 months. This is our system who can give you help if you lay around and do nothing but if you work and try to support your family and need a little help you are screwed...

Posted by: Earl on Mar 26, 2008 at 07:25 AM
This is a joke.Why should i pay for her mistakes.

Posted by: anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 04:00 AM
All the time Families needed help and NEVER got it. Why is the Public being informed of this Law NOW! Also what about the Elderly that needed help or their families needed help taking care of them in their own home and NEVER got it,that were turned away and went home to die and DIED! WHAT ASHAME!!! Tell The PUBLIC where they can find these LAWS on HELP so People know their Rights or are these Laws made up in Instant Cases! AGAIN, WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO FIND THESE LAWS? IT SEEMS THE WORKERS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WHO WAIT ON OR SERVE THE PEOPLE DOES NOT KNOW THE LAWS ON ANYTHING In KANAWHA COUNTY and THE STATE WORKERS SHOULD! Lots of SEVERLY DISABLED, ELDERLY, and ILL NEEDS HELP! People SPEAK UP that needed or needs help and were never Informed or Told by any STATE WORKERS when you ask for the LAWS on HELP and were turned away!

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:23 AM
hey I got a speeding ticket, can anyone pay it for me?

Posted by: Steve on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:52 AM
THIS is why I,and so many others moved out of WV!!The state is out of control with these hand-outs.The entire state Government is a JOKE!Half of the state works so they can pay the other half's way!So now I assume that half of the state can litter, and the other half will pay the fines for them...UNBELIEVABLE.I don't have any outstanding fines, but I'm having a tough time with the current gas prices.Where's the line start for that hand-out? But if they gave me free gas, then that would keep them from getting the unreasonable taxes from the gas, and therefore, take from the money used to pay people's littering fines.That would disrupt the entire 'food-chain' that WV operates by. They need to change the name from WV to Sherwood Forrest. And before the bleeding hearts start in; I have no problem with helping people get on their feet,but if you carry a baby around forever,they never learn to walk. One more thought, how about making them work the fine off? By..maybe picking up litter!

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 25, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I realize that there is only a portion to this story but the picture I get from the above is: "DO NOT TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO BE LAW ABIDING & PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT but Teach your children to break the law and the STATE (or taxpayers)will TAKE care of it"

Posted by: Ohio State on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:08 PM
This is a joke, right? This is pathetic. It really is.

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