After stay in hospital, man back in the cold

In 1998, Vass landed a full-time job as a placement specialist with the Maryland Job Service, part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. He had the job - and liked it - for five years. But his position was eliminated in 2003 when the office was phased out.

In the time since then, Vass has been looking for full-time work.

And - you ready for this? - wasting more time in jail.

His estranged wife accused him of stabbing her in March 2004, Vass says, and he was unable to post bail. The charge was false, Vass says, and a jury believed him. He was found him not guilty in July 2005.

Still, he lost another year of his life, and the company of his children.

Vass is 48 years old, lives with his parents, and he somehow maintains a pleasant demeanor through all of this. He gets dressed up, organizes his files and his resume and hits the pavement to look for work. He'd like to get a paycheck, get a place of his own, and get his kids out of foster care.

He thinks he'd make a good job placement counselor again - if he could just place himself first.

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