FWIW: Whether or not "the judge" is "some idiot," he or she has little choice about whether or not to return Cameron to his mother. Judges have to follow the law. States make their laws within the Federal requirement of a strong policy favoring intact families.
In almost every State, in the case of an unfit parent, the State must offer the parent a chance to rehabilitate him or herself, usually by attending classes. Family Courts don't have a lot of leeway in terms of what they can require of parents -- especially parents who don't have a long history of getting caught. Classes and a limited amount of therapy is pretty much the limit.
Also, I can't tell you how many times I've hear abusive parents complain about how harsh the system is, how they were unfairly treated, how they didn't do anything other than discipline their kids in a normal way, etc., etc., before some meddler brought the cops in. We've all heard it. And you know what? Sometimes it's true.
Anyway, during the period the State assumes responsibility for the children, it's the policy of most States to place the children with relatives, when possible. Again within the policy of maintaing intact families. Lucky children find themselves in the care of good people like you. The unluckest end up in group homes. When the parent has successfully completed the court assigned program, the court MUST return the children. There's only a limited amount of monitoring and evaluating the court can impose on the parent's rehabilitation because the State's limited resources.
Bottom Line: "Family" is sometimes just a way of saving money. A blood relationship does not automatically confer good parenting. A real social-welfare system that actually takes the best interests of the children in its care seriously costs a LOT OF MONEY. Unless and until we're willing to pay for it, it ain't gonna happen.
Thank you for what you're doing, and my wish that only good things happen for Cameron.
Rich