Raising Cassidy: From Addiction to Redemption | Real Families

[@TrueEnergizerBunnies]

I cant help but feeling sorry for her 3 older kids that she lost to the system because of her drug habit. This whole documentary she is talking about how amazing this new baby is, how she saved her life, how she wont ever let drugs get in the way again. . .if I were her older children I would be wondering. . .well what about us? Weren't we enough of a reason to get clean? Weren't we amazing enough? If she does get clean and stay clean, thats amazing. Just sad for her other kids that had to get swept away in all that.

[@chefg434]

totally agree

[@Buttefliesandrainbows]

This was about her journey with Cassidy.

[@leilab2806]

It's like any other addiction, you'll give it up when/if you're ready unfortunately.

[@tiffanyr8990]

I was a kid my mom gave my brother to our grandparents, gave me up because of drugs and being part black and then kept my sister 4 years younger. They changed her life not me.

[@kathybrem880]

They’re the lucky ones

[@petitehippie7064]

What a really nice producer. I'm glad that Cheryl and Cassidy had her support.

[@catieq5270]

I am so grateful that my husband and I had our daughter in recovery (10 & 11 years) and not active addiction. She has two clean and sober parents who love her tremendously. Every child deserves parents, but not every parent deserves a child.

[@angmoulton8528]

Yes I agree with what you say

[@tiffanyr8990]

I saw Cheryl she looks so good like she did not age one damn bit! ❤ She got a degree working in a funeral home.

[@audacitytheconduit7285]

Dad blames Mom for all of Cheryl's problems, then proceeds to admit to abusing his wife and daughter. 😳

[@sheniagutto2491]

Right he is very toxic and he acts like he is not to blame for her addiction

[@NurseAnnaG]

It's always someone else's fault, smh, maybe his ex and daughter turned to drugs because of his abuse.

[@kaymckay1047]

Her so-called father has a lot to answer for Cheryl's upbringing and how her life has been.

[@ZieSpiralOut]

Yeah he’s totally a narcissist. That term gets thrown around a lot but he seems like he really fits the bill. He’s never wrong, he thinks he has the answers to everything, and continually puts his ex down. I bet he targeted an addict for a partner so he could always have the upper hand. Cheryl doesn’t seem to see it and that’s a big part of the narcissistic abuse.

[@thefeatheredhag4279]

Yeah, what a POS! 😡

[@ZieSpiralOut]

I’m in recovery and was at rehab in 2019. I can say that they are a lot more willing to work with moms. They have sober houses specifically for moms and their kids. It gives the moms support and allows cps to have full knowledge of the kid’s situation as well. I’m a big fan of that. Getting your kids taken when you are struggling but want to be a good parent is really mentally tough. You can have a tendency to give up on recovery when you completely lose contact with the thing that counts the most to you. I also think the new program where pregnant inmates can keep their babies for bonding is wonderful. Babies won’t remember the surroundings, but they’ll instinctively remember the bond between them and their mom. And mom will definitely remember. It can be the motivation to keep going and stay on the right path. And another reason both instances are good is because if the mother ends up being a bad parent, the babies are being monitored 24/7 so they can decide if it’s something that is detrimental to their child. Good luck to all the addicted/recovering moms out there, recovery is a very difficult but rewarding road.

[@lisadonavan6133]

It’d be wonderful to get a “where are they now ?” episode to catch up with Cassidy.

[@Reeceee615]

Same thing I was thinking I wanna know what happened to to Nani

[@D2sMom]

@@Reeceee615 same here! If you find her or find anything out please lmk.

[@melaniesilva8182]

She is going in foster care Sorry to say I am a former crack addict

[@lindsaycrites2789]

@@melaniesilva8182 ok but this was clearly In the 90s so do you kno that for sure I d like to know what happened to them

[@desirehilton9645]

I'd like to know too 😭😭😭😭 I hope she's ok the baby has to be at least 10 now

[@samanthaschwartz2316]

Addiction is such a brutal, careless disease. Amd there just isn't enough support for addicts. Especially those with children. So wonderful that she was so proactive in her recovery. And I hope that she continues to be as positive and accountable moving forward. She has a beautiful daughter and deserves and beautiful life.

[@mike-kellydutkiewicz5991]

You're absolutely right..there is never enough help for addicts

[@deastover898]

I dealt with cys after my daughter was born and everything they talked about is true. They embellished everything and didn't get alot of the facts right. Now they say when you're doing everything right it is easier but I was a model case and my only saving grace was a wonderful caseworker. She promised if I was always truthful she would be and it was a great teamwork effort. Love you Megan 💝 I am free of them but there are so many people dealing with them that don't deserve it and so many that should be and aren't. It is not a perfect system for sure but made me stay clean and be able to have my children back.

[@jennybeam7226]

Happy for you & wish you all the best! ❣️

[@teddizia751]

The grandfather and the grandmother caused many of the problems this woman has and the grandfather is far from supportive. He was abusive during her childhood and his line of work fostered poor choices. The grandfather is sickening when he talks about his violent and abusive behavior. So sad!

[@andromeda8rose]

That's Cheryl's dad

[@amber8997]

Her father was such a trigger for me😢 reminds me so much of my dad. Feeling like you’re not good enough for your dads love and not receiving unconditional love is the first heart break from a man and it automatically sets the tone for how we view men after I’m A living breathing example 😢

[@StrangeNewsFromAnotherStar]

Okay everyone, in the director's Twitter account she has answered to different people that keep asking about Cheryl and Cassidy that the family have asked her to not share any updates about them and she is respecting their wishes. I'm hoping is just them keeping their privacy and not something else like not wanting people to know bad stuff.

[@kmsleyang1980]

It’s definitely probably bad stuff…

[@kimberlyleon3854]

I would love to know an update. This was released in 2003.

[@trishloiacono8524]

Wow would love an update on this family!

[@gordon7770]

I’m so proud of Cheryl! Given her slip ups, everyone slips up and we can’t judge. She has become a beautiful mother.

[@deannamarlow5310]

So did she finally get clean and stay clean ?

[@carecc7191]

Slip-ups, really? She's a crack head and was a stripper. Would you want a mother like that? It's one thing to degrade your self and ruin your body and mind with drugs, it's another thing to breed like a reptile and subject an innocent child to your DEPRAVITY.

[@kathybrem880]

She returned to drugs after she got the bay back so…..

[@markwake3943]

Thank u for uploading this, i love documentary that are interesting and this is was very interesting to watch.

[@christybachman8296]

This has to be a pretty old story I’m guessing Cassidy is a adult now. I hope she and her mother are doing well. This video is so important to share with the world because it may have been years since filming it shows how addiction is the same even if it was 40 years ago, it puts a face to the struggles so many families face.

[@BOUNCERBABE]

Yeah looks like mid 90’s

[@pattymelt-go3fv]

@@BOUNCERBABE And they are also in Canada correct?

[@Noneyasauce]

This hits so close to home. Even the Winnie the Pooh decor reminds me of the crack epidemic in my family around the same time period. Wherever Cassidy is, I hope she healthy and stable. If you ever see this, your mothers issues are not your own to carry. You can overcome anything! Has anyone found an update on them?

[@cmenowlandreth]

Sometimes walking away from family is the best thing an addict in recovery can do. A chaotic family can take the strongest person down so can sudden change. A child's greatest risk is right after reintroduction. Edit: The counselors are not wrong in their recommendations. Old people, places and things have been proven to take new recovering addicts right back to using. She'll be using before too long living above her mother and with a boyfriend who's relapsed. Second edit: I knew it just by her situation she put herself in. I've been in recovery for 16+ years and have spent many years working in the community.

[@kellywise5654]

I think it’s important that she is sober and clean longer period of time and change her people places and things instead of leading herself back into temptation and we have to think bout what’s best for the baby not what’s best for the mother

[@1991-present]

Look at the family she comes from. She was doomed from the beginning.

[@brokenbeauty6]

Her father said awful things.Saying she's not as important to him as she is her own mom.. I really don't like him. But glad he got better in the end.

[@SilG.123]

I get what he was trying to say. He doesn't want to get too close.

[@sharonplant4102]

Not being funny but she didn’t give up drugs to get her other kids back what makes this one different. The baby deserves a good start in life to make it in this world deserves good parents to do it.

[@monicajones9785]

I followed this from the beginning on the show "birth stories" and wanted to check on them. Now I'm just saddened. I WILL be praying for ALL involved. Smh😢

[@Taran532]

With everything this woman says and does, sober or not, she completely lacks accountability for anything in her life. But it was obvious she was using the ENTIRE time 😡

[@annamariaagatha9392]

Unbelievable that anyone of the careworkers let her rent an apartment so close to her mother who is the cause of the problems in Cheryls life! In Dutch the saying is: putting the cat with its nose in the bacon and expect from the cat not to it! That is never going to happen and everybody could have known it in advance! That is setting Cheryl up for failure and then accusing her of failing: so unfair to her and Cassidy! I hope that Cheryl has succeeded in staying clean and raising Cassidy as she is such a loving and educational mother!

[@kellywise5654]

Uh hate to tell you but she’s an adult it’s not her mom’s problem it’s her own problem people do not choose to be addicts it just happens she is responsible for herself and her recovery

[@mia-mf5xt]

@@kellywise5654 addiction is an illness which lasts way longer than just quitting the drug, so as u said, no one intends to be an addict, and no one intends to go back to the drug after quitting, remember the illness is still there in their minds. Being near someone who is addicted and being near someone who u have a past with of taking drugs, it’s so easy to relapse. Think of it like someone taking their life, the first thing crisis teams tell u is to put the tools they would use to do it away from sight, cause even tho the feelings and desire is still there, ur much less likely to try if it’s out of sight. And that’s the same with addiction

[@cordeliaseiver6830]

Yep, CPS is great like that lol ! They’re all for shaming and punishment but don’t seem to have any logic about how to actually make the situation better without causing more trauma in the process. Definitely a need for a better system and more educated workers.

[@Naturefan354]

I don't get why a woman who has already lost 3 children to the system for her drug addiction, would have another baby?? She knew all this would happen if she had another baby. It's a shame because I hate the thought of children separated from the mother but if the mother is a danger to the child's well being then it's necessary sometimes. I really hope she doesn't allow that to ever happen to her daughter again

[@pearlkelly6337]

I wonder how many kids she has now seeing as this doc is nearly 20 years old

[@Naturefan354]

@@pearlkelly6337 I hope she only has 1 still and that their lives are good and thriving.

[@pearlkelly6337]

@@Naturefan354 yeah, I keep hearing them call her Sandy and Cheryl cos when she was on the phone she said her name was Sandy

[@ladylaois8184]

Addiction ! There’s something no one can truly understand, unless you’ve walked that path. Once it has hold of you it will never let go,

[@carrieanncancino5118]

I totally agree goo

[@MykianaRichards]

Yes you did it mama you made yourself proud proud of you Cheryl Congratulations

[@rs3007]

Cassidy is probably 22 or 23 now ... ??? Wonder what happened, hopefully Sheryl is still alive and well Cassidy had a good childhood(wherever she lived) and now a successful young adult.

[@naelyneurkopfen9741]

Hopefully she didn't go into the family business. Funny how here dad didn't realize their mom because of what she did, because he has a "different set of values".🙄

[@hillarybillary21]

@@naelyneurkopfen9741 Was that English? What?

[@Nursing609]

What a great story, I hope they are still doing well and wish we could have a follow-up 💗

[@globalital]

Around 54 minutes in (Halloween time).. I can tell she's been smoking crack again,I can spot it a mile away

[@jamieworthy5163]

The man seriously thinks ‘slapping hem around’ was a fix.

[@shannonadmonis7176]

I wish there was an update!!! I'd like to know how Cassidy and mom are doing. I hope they stayed together!

[@geekchix0r]

I feel like this ended very suddenly. I have so many questions! I sincerely hope she was able to stay clean and that her daughter grew up with her mom

[@rebeccamccready1135]

This story was really powerful I would love to have a follow up video how are they are doing ♥️

[@natalieblair4001]

Wow. The ending had me so shocked. I can’t believe she was still using 🤯🤯

[@SheGeek78]

Cheryl's father is a selfish git, he gives me the creeps too. Cheryl, if youre reading this i really hope youre ok

[@milby9860]

She really is a natural! Even though she’s done all the crack, you can tell she just loves being a mum

[@TrueEnergizerBunnies]

She didnt love it much with her first 3 kids that I guess weren't good enough to shape up for

[@alk528]

@@TrueEnergizerBunnies addiction is a lot more complicated than that

[@kathybrem880]

She went back to drugs after she got the baby back

[@loriormsby8671]

This is really old I would like to know where they r now how Cassidy turned out

[@kellywise5654]

They aren’t playing games they are trying to help the baby to live in safe environment

[@stacitowery4461]

She’s high during the ultrasound

[@clarecoppleman5381]

She's high the whole video.

[@robbiecarter8773]

" no foster mum will love her like I do " Umm actually q foster mum can love enough not to risk the child's welfare as the bio mum has

[@alyp4022]

Regarding all of the questions of a follow-up. Although I'm also interested, I'm sure Cassidy would prefer her privacy and not have her entire life in the spotlight. She deserves this.

[@angalajohnson4024]

While she's smoking the whole pregnancy

[@TinFoilCat90]

Even if the baby didnt have withdrawals dowsnt mean she wasnt effected. We adopted my nephew who was exposed to all kinds of things before birth and he had issues eating and i had to feed him every 2 hours around the clock to get it in him. He had failure to thrive until 3 months old. He is 4 and has significant speech delay, food aversions, emotional delay. He gets therapy for all of it and is a happy boy but these things were caused by the drugs. So no withdrawal at birth doesnt equal no effect on the babys life.

[@YagwitOG]

There is no trace of them online. My gut says Cheryl never stopped using, even when she said she wasn't (her mouth movements). Cassidy was probably taken into care. Please LMK if anyone has good news.

[@BOUNCERBABE]

😢😢😢 I noticed that too, with the mouth movements.

[@kathybrem880]

Well she did start using again after she got the baby back so….

[@madsdee7803]

@@kathybrem880 looks like she was using for a while before he mother wanted to take the baby for the weekend. She'd lost weight, her eyes were bugging, and she kept wiping her nose. Never trust an addict, trust their behaviour and appearance.

[@janicea135]

I found Cheryl on LinkedIn

[@jodiream4089]

Lose all your kids but keep having more... SMH

[@stacitowery4461]

Never, never, NEVER, believe a drug addict

[@NicNac081909]

Her father is a slim ball. He gives me the damn creeps. She should never trust her daughter to be alone around him. Trying to act like he's an upstanding guy. Barf!!

[@demetrisrousakis6126]

This is from 2003, Cheryl, in the last 20 years lets just say not much has changed and Cass is no little angel. KZbin stop listening to my conversations.

[@kmsleyang1980]

Do tell

[@mike-kellydutkiewicz5991]

You're full of it... Someone who knows her has made comments about how well she's been doing

[@ejc5480]

Cassidy would be 22/23 by now. I'd really love to know how she's doing.

[@ilciavargas7318]

Yes people can change providing they have support from family or one member of the family and professionals work health team and social workers.

[@nursejulie3636]

God bless the support teams for people who have addiction.

[@cmenowlandreth]

I had no family support and I chose to walk away from all of them in order to stay clean. I've been clean for 16+ years now and the best thing I could have done was walk away and have no contact.

[@Slamm1983]

​@@cmenowlandrethI agree I got clean on my own after 10yrs I been clean since July/2018 and I didn't need any 12 step program or rehab ..nothing wrong with those things but they just weren't for me 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Naijella86]

I’m 37 now but I remember watching her pregnancy episode when it first aired when I was 17, I rewatched it again this year (2023). I’m just about to watch this, I’m sad to see she didn’t stay off drugs, she seemed determined during her pregnancy.

[@victoriaowen3359]

Any update. I hope both are happy and healthy and doing well x

[@pearlkelly6337]

Im curious too considering its been nearly 20 years

[@MissVanSam]

Great documentary!!

[@elleyahweldon1092]

I always want to see how they’ve been doing after this. Like how or where is Nani, and her son. Am I the only one or any else too?

[@cris_irie]

I wanted to know so bad too! I googled but couldn’t find anything

[@tashas5074]

I really want to know what happened to nani and her son! Such a sad story.

[@tyanarutledge8746]

I think I may have found a photo of them on Facebook but I’m not sure if it’s them. Cassidy looks like her mom now

[@---kx1xc]

this was in 2003, that baby is a full grown woman today, wonder how they are all doing, can we pray for them?

[@aliciapoore9413]

If you loved her you wouldn’t use! The way she was yelling at the 2 yr old just wow please take that poor baby far far away from her!!!

[@madsdee7803]

And that was with a camera there. Imagine how she was away from people she acted in front of.

[@foreverblessed8084]

im glad she has a father's support

[@kaykay2031]

Being a former addict I learned one thing: it’s not that people can’t get clean and stay clean they just won’t. I got clean and stayed that way because I wanted to. There are plenty of resources out there to get and stay clean. So if you can’t it’s your own fault. People that don’t shut up about their “sobriety” 9 times out of 10 are still using.

[@angmoulton8528]

I don't think sobriety should be taboo or hidden it's something to be damn proud of I'm not I counter I don't keep track of how long no desire to think about it constantly but I feel being able to share you story and be proud is huge and it could save someone even if just one that's better than none

[@kaykay2031]

@@angmoulton8528 100% agree with you. That is a part of my life that doesn’t exist anymore so why would I want to be reminded of it?

[@victoriat8481]

Follow up PLEASE!!!!!!

[@sandraserafini4351]

I hope she did succeed , and still has Cassidy.

[@laurapoynter2970]

Cassidy should be adult by now or almost and adult. If this video was released in 2003. I hope she got her baby Cassidy back and her other three kids. And she raised all her children with flying colors. 💗🙏🕊⚘

[@shonastephens9277]

Very sad,Such an attractive woman and a proud Dad to help

[@kathybrem880]

Where?

[@kmsleyang1980]

@@kathybrem880 😂😂😂 right!

[@rachelmaynard9097]

I’m so blessed I was sober 8 years before I got pregnant and had my first kid 🙏 but at this point they should force women to get their tubes tied

[@dwoz4658]

This was produced by Nadine Pequeneza in 2003. So Cassidy would be maybe 20 or so.

[@sarahdiane24]

She needs a really a good rehab and support group :(

[@mistyflores3176]

Although this is 20 + years old. Why would they put her so close to her mom? Who they know is a BIG part of why she has addictive tendencies. Put her where she has NO CONTACT with people who has had a negative effect on her trying to be sober. 😔

[@brokenbeauty6]

No she almost said she was on her way then said I'm filming. Sorry red flag

[@leannebrookez6552]

Id love to know how they gott on does anyone know

[@Bella-um6it]

That’s horrible..

[@julietaferrario4934]

This was filmed 2003 in Canada . Cassidy is all grown up 20 years old this year .

[@problematicprincess6270]

No it's differently the mid 90s. Look at the phones TV and clothes it's the 90s.

[@juliestevenson9151]

So so terribly sad for this poor child what will become of her

[@cherilynnsorensen3637]

Praying everything went well for the family 👪 Cassidy must be a teen by now this looks like back in the day I don't see smart phones and up to date computers looks early 2000s hope they are doing great would like an update

[@Maggot_infestedd]

Cassidy is most likely 22 now

[@nancytaylor4885]

Her second chance was when she was pregnant. She failed! This precious baby girl need better. She needs to go to foster care while mom gets it together. I hope she gets her back.

[@mollyhorse]

how about warching the doco before you comment huh?

[@victoriat8481]

@@mollyhorse great advice 👍

[@charitetraxler7285]

I wonder where they are now and how they are doing.

[@lanoragarner6101]

Sir I'm sure you played a big part also. A girls dad is suppose to be a special relationship. You are suppose to teach her how a man should treat a woman. Trust plays a major part in a lil girls life.

[@Themakeupchair15]

cps and things like that DO fail kids and they end up dead at there parents hand

[@arleycheyannedick6229]

Does this hurt anyone else's heart whose having infertility issues?

[@problematicprincess6270]

Me ! No hate towards the lady but it hurts to see people like this have kids while I with a lovely home and cooking skills and love to give can't get pregnant.

[@arleycheyannedick6229]

@@problematicprincess6270 same here! thank god i have a 10-year-old but im only 28 i want another one and my husband of 10 years and I have been trying for 8 years and Nothing happens, every month i sob when i get my pd. seeing this stuff and stuff on the news break my heart. I Hope you get your dream someday!!!

[@lynzyrisingsun]

Update? I’m really curious to see what happened to the both of them?

[@purepoetry33]

When was this filmed? Because it looks like a while ago. I want to know what happened to her.

[@karenwilson9528]

There are people that use drugs and live a normal life. There are people that don't use drugs that live a terrible life. I believe actions speak louder than what chemicals are flowing through your bloodstream! What we as a society should do, being as how the safety of children are our number one priority and the feelings of perants don't matter at all because they are adults, is take every child born into care for the first year to eighteen months. Every child. Run detailed, fine tuned tests and assessments of the family. Every family. And only then does any perant get to take their child into their own care - under close supervision for ever after ofcourse. .....although, who we trust to care for these children for those initial twelve to eighteen months is anyone's gess.

[@emmahmaepa7071]

Cassidy she's so adorable 😍 💕

[@Youmeplus3]

Pregnant and taking drugs absolutely no excuse disgusting!!!

[@gemma3218]

Anyone know what happened after this documentary? Must have been some years ago now?

[@chefg434]

not keen on dad either especiallly when he said she more important to you than me , hes the grandfather

[@stacitowery4461]

I loved his honestly, he’s a no nonsense guy.

[@SilG.123]

Nadine your a real one!!!

[@debbietrammell6201]

I hope you get to keep your baby .congratulations on your baby

[@sophiabertolini3766]

To Raising families and Nadine Pequeneza(director), are there any updates on Cheryl and Cassidy today in 2022? Or any in the past at all? This Doc made back in 2003, and many of us are invested in their story. Cassidy would be around 20-22 years old, and Cheryl 52. I can’t find anything online, but always wishing them the best!

[@Soulakwet]

Saw the name "LEIGH" on cassidy arms. Didnt find anything :(

[@sciencenotstigma9534]

I didn’t read the title, and thought it was Debbie Rowe having an ultrasound. 😂. I hope things are going well for this beautiful family. ❤️

[@victoriat8481]

Cassidy would be nearly 21 now.....

[@problematicprincess6270]

​@@victoriat8481now she would be WAAY older than that this is from the mid to late 90s cassidy would be 27 to 29 now maybe even 30.

[@kelseygraham9050]

Any update on cheryl and cassidy?

[@cathybutler5291]

Wow just wow!

[@Annabelle751]

As Dr Phil always says I don't ask why they're doing it I ask why not.

[@stacitowery4461]

After she got her own apartment the pounds melted off, hmmmm😂😂❤

[@librarysquirrelgirl9037]

Are you insinuating the sweet old ladies she used to live with at the halfway house cooked fattening meals? Orrrrrr she started smoking crack again

[@stacitowery4461]

@@librarysquirrelgirl9037 🤣😁🤣

[@kathybrem880]

Well she did start using again so…..

[@tammyfarmer2725]

So this was 2003? What happened after this? Did she make it through clean and sober? What happened to Cassidy?

[@kmsleyang1980]

She probably didn’t. She wasn’t serious. I’m a former addict and now a substance abuse counselor. I’m the house manager at a sober living facility. I also work in a drug detox center…I can look at em and tell when they’re serious about it…she wasn’t. Not at the time of the filming of this.

[@wandarodriguez2409]

Why is she also smoking cigarettes

[@stacitowery4461]

My dad would have done far worse to me if he caught me with drugs.

[@angalajohnson4024]

The fact that she's using while the baby is so close to birth is disgusting

[@Itssatta.2]

So she kept her baby… I don’t know how I feel about this. I know that children should be with the mother/father but she has proven to mess up a bit and to hide it. She then justifies it. This may also sound harsh but she needs to cut the rope with her mother. That’s a trigger for her and will be in the future. It shows already because she smoked with her mom once, she claims. But I doubt she would distance herself from her own mom . This was a fantastic documentary to watch but so many parts made me upset. I truly hope that sweet bright baby gets the mother she deserves. She is already predisposed, also known as a substance use disorder, due to her mom, grandmother and her environment. Let’s hope she finds herself in a different direction

[@emtravels2287]

You could tell that this was filmed in the 90s maybe early 2000s maybe. I would love to know an update :(