Greer woman says she expects DSS will return 15 children

JANET S. SPENCER

A Greer woman said Wednesday she has faith that 15 children removed last week by state authorities will be returned to her home.

Bill and Debbie Rettew are birth parents of two adult children and mom and dad to 18 adopted others who range from toddlers to young adults.

All the adopted children have special needs, described by Mrs. Rettew as physical, emotional or mental. The Department of Social Services has obtained a ruling from a Family Court judge placing 15 of the children in the state agency's custody.

Bill Rettew was named 1999 "Father of the Year" in a program implemented by Attorney General Charlie Condon. At the time, the family included 24 adopted children.

The Rettews started adopting when their oldest son, now 25, was 4 years old. "We've been doing this a long time, and we know that God will let us continue," Debbie Rettew said.

The Rettews and DSS officials have been placed under a gag order by the court and told not to discuss specifics of the investigation. Debbie Rettew said she would not violate that order but did say the children's removal was a surprise. "We had no real warning that day," she said.

"There had been things in the past which DSS did not follow up on." Authorities with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office said they were not involved in the removal, which was handled through an ex parte order, a ruling by the family court at the request of DSS. Bill Rettew is a self-employed engineer and works from his home. He and his wife home-school the children.

DSS thinks the children would benefit from more independent care, the couple said. A second hearing is expected to be scheduled within the next 35 days.