Because of the decisions of the Children's Court and Domestic Violence Unit, many parents and grandparents have been forced to put their children in harm's way and into the hands of others. These "little people" have been bounced around and around. The courts just seem to pass the buck, not realizing what they are doing to the children and grandchildren.

Some of us are sick or getting sick of the court hearings being reset due to illness. In our case, a hearing has been canceled four times and the statute of limitations on fighting for custody is running out. This doesn't help the parents or grandparents in any way. I myself am one of the victims in this so-called system. My granddaughters were put in a home where one of them claimed she was molested. But no one seemed to care. The Children, Youth and Families Department and officer Charlie Ann Martin have done their best to help, but the courts won't listen to us.

One of judges, Barbara Vigil, told us not to return to the courtroom without an attorney, and she didn't allow us to speak at all. My husband and I barely make ends meet. No lawyer will help us.

Our home has always been a safe haven for our grandchildren.

What the court doesn't realize is that children are people too, and shouldn't be just shuffled around. So far it has been more than three months since we've seen the children. Our granddaughters need their mom and grandparents, who love them dearly. I cry every day and every night for them to come back home.

The man who claims to be the father of our granddaughters is always in prison or jail. The children's mom tries to do her best. Granted she is a recovering drug addict.

We, the grandparents, have always provided the necessary needs or wants of these children. I am writing to let the people of Santa Fe know what really goes on in the court systems.

P.P. and R.P. Pérez live in Tesuque.