FAQ – Frequently Answered Questions
1. Will you help me?
This is the most frequently asked question I get – and I would love to help everyone individually – but the truth is, I just don’t have time. There are thousands, or perhaps millions, of people out there needing help because of social service injustice. I’ve received a lot of desperate emails, many of which, I regret to say, never got answers because I personally cannot cope with the huge numbers of people asking for help. The need is far more than one person, group, or website could possibly handle.
So I decided to do what I thought would reach the most people all at one time. I put this site on the Internet. Now hundreds of people daily come here to get information.
If you need help from me – this site is it. Sorry I can do no more. FightCPS isn’t an organization; it is only one person dedicated to the cause of family rights. But if you’re looking for someone to talk to, someone who understands and who might have some helpful ideas, try the message forum. It’s online, easy to register for, and free. The message boards are full of truly caring people – many of whom are going through CPS hell now and others who have been through it and want to help.
Please do not email me asking for help. I am unfortunately subject to human limitations and can’t get all my email answered. The email address is on the site for two reasons: (1) for requests to have information removed from the site, and (2) for people who have trouble getting registered for the message forums.
2. Linda, why do you think it’s okay for kids to be abused?
I actually have been asked this kind of question multiple times since I started this site. Though the site clearly says the information is here for people who have been falsely accused, there are always some who think that just because I am 100% totally against the existence of CPS, this means I want kids to be abused.
Nothing could be further from the truth. I do NOT want kids abused. In fact if I knew for certain that a child was being abused, I’d go to the authorities about it. By authorities, I mean qualified Law Enforcement Officers. I’d do that because child abuse is a CRIME, not something that we should take to a social service employee whose job is to destroy families, administer forced “service” plans, and turn children into legal-orphans.
Social service workers are funded and therefore motivated by federal funding streams that start when a child is taken from its natural family and placed in state custody. Law Enforcement isn’t funded that way (per child abduction) and therefore is more likely to be impartial and fair.
Whoever thinks we need the “give me your kids” socialists doesn’t seem to realize that TRUE child abuse is a crime and Law Enforcement should take care of it. CPS workers, on the other hand, have expanded the definition of ‘child abuse’ to mean almost any little thing they might cop an attitude about. The examples are too numerous to mention here. CPS has got to be one of the most subjective and abusive agencies in existence.
3. Why do you think CPS should be eliminated?
I believe CPS as it is – is a very dangerous socialist based agency bent on destroying American families in exchange for federal ‘funding streams’. Though some CPS workers may be altruistic when they start, the job tends to destroy them. It makes them jaded and callous – until they’re totally unfeeling toward the grief, desperation, and despair of people whose families they are destroying.
CPS agencies profit not only from child detentions, but also from terminations of parental rights and subsequent adoptions. The funding doesn’t encourage reuniting families though CPS agents are told that’s what their job is for. So long as the funding is mostly anti-family, the agency makes ruthless ogres out of what otherwise might have been nice people.
My opinion, and the opinion of many other advocates and activists, is that CAPTA should be repealed. I believe CPS should be abolished, and in its place another foster-care-only agency should be established to take care of the very few children who are truly in need and without any fit extended family members able or willing to take them in.
4. Should we take the children and run, or attack the CPS workers?
No. I don’t advocate illegal activities. If you respond to an investigation by doing something illegal, you’re likely to go to jail and then there’s no way to get your children back.
Life as a fugitive is really, really difficult. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I believe it’s best to stand your ground and fight back using legal means – in a court of law if necessary.
My site is aimed at helping people learn enough about the law to be able to successfully fight off the child welfare agents using legal documents and strategies that will put parents in a stronger position when they go back to court.
5. Where should I start?
The most important parts of this site are:
a. The legal document library. I suggest you look over the samples and see if they fit your needs.
b. The “what to do” page. It’s just my opinion, but at the bottom of that page you’ll see lots of links to other people’s ideas on what to do. It’s good to get more than one opinion.
c. The message forum. It’s full of very dedicated, caring and knowledgeable people who may have good insight and perspective on what you’re going through.
d. Who Will Prepare Your Case? This explains how CPS works and what you need to do to fight them in court.
If you have a question that wasn’t answered here – you can go ahead and email me. Please do not include details about your case. Those would be better placed on the message forum so people who have motivation and time to address your specific case can take a look. Unfortunately that means CPS workers who visit this place will also see the details of your case. Some of these workers are here to try to help and give perspectives from the agency point of view. Please treat them with respect. However there are some that will rat on you if you’re posting here. If that’s a concern for you, please use a fake name to register and be discrete about your personal details.
If you post anything on my message board advocating violence or illegal activities you can expect that it may be deleted as soon as I see it. This is not allowed here no matter how frustrated and distressed you’ve become.
Believe me – I UNDERSTAND YOUR PAIN AND I CARE – and hope you’ll find ideas on this site that will help your families to be reunited as quickly as possible.
If you have any other questions you feel should be answered in this FAQ please post them in the Suggestions area of the message forum.
Also, please do not miss reading the Legal Disclaimer and the Privacy Policy.
Linda Martin
Site Manager
Print This Page
Email This Page
Comments (158)
Linda,
I am sorry but I have to correct your questions and answers. You appear to be operating your bias based on myths. I have a graduate education in child welfare and have worked reunifying families, and in child welfare policy for years.
CPS was not created because a bunch of social workers came together and said let’s kidnap children and destroy families. Your representatives in Congress ( I say you meaning yours personally and everybodys in the U.S.) passed laws and regulations, and then told the states to how to run the child welfare programs.
Child abuse/neglect is not only a crime. Criminal charges for child abuse have different requirements that allegations through the Welfare and Institutions Code (created by your representatives). Further, law enforcement does not have the training or resources to deal with abused children, administer social service programs, and refer to the appropriate therapeautic services. In fact, law enforcements view of what to do with parent’s accused of child abuse is much more severe than social workers.
If you don’t think so then ponder why child molestors are allowed to get raped/beat/murdered in prisons with prisonguards not looking.
Additionally, social workers do not get paid per child that is removed. I don’t know how that rumor got started, and unfortunately, miseducation about such an important system is detrimental to parents trying to get their children back.
The federal government provides some of the funding for local social services programs. Changes in federal law have shifted trends in how social services programs are administered. For example, for many years the funding was put primarily into family reunification. However, when families did not reunify (often due to a drug problem), the children would be left in the system. The federal government then shifted the focus to ensuring that permanent plans are in place for children, in addition to family reunificaton efforts.
Social workers and foster home parents are poor. Nobody is profitting off of this system. And although some social workers are not very good at what they do, nobody involved in the system at any level wants to see families seperated.
When you have to remove children from a parent that has raped and beat their child for years and who is threatening your life – we will see how pleasant you are. Social workers have to be tough sometimes in order to survive with severely mentally ill and abusive people.
If you don’t like the Welfare and Institutions Code,and the Family Code, then by all means write your representatives. However, distributing false information to parents who sincerely need help (or guilty parents who want to languish in anger rather than doing real work to get their child back) is irresponsible.
Thank you.
Comment by V — February 19, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Talk about misinformation! You’ve got plenty!
1. You wrote “CPS was not created because a bunch of social workers came together and said let’s kidnap children and destroy families.”
I never said that. Do you honestly think I’m so stupid I don’t know about the federal laws? If so then you are the stupid one.
2. You wrote: “law enforcements view of what to do with parent’s accused of child abuse is much more severe than social workers.
If you don’t think so then ponder why child molestors are allowed to get raped/beat/murdered in prisons with prisonguards not looking.”
Since when are prison guards the same as law enforcement agents? LEOs operate on the penal code, and they are just as capable of discerning real child abuse as anyone. They are not, however, anxious to take children from their homes so that federal funding streams can start.
3. You wrote: “social workers do not get paid per child that is removed”
I never wrote that. Why are you accusing me of saying things I didn’t say? Don’t bother answering… due to your attitude and false allegations about what I actually wrote, I’m banning you from the site as soon as I finish writing this response. FYI – I don’t have time or patience to respond to daily disinformation postings to this site, so you’re not welcome here.
4. You wrote: “Social workers and foster home parents are poor. Nobody is profitting off of this system. And although some social workers are not very good at what they do, nobody involved in the system at any level wants to see families seperated.”
Such unbelievable ignorance is rarely seen. (a) you must not know what true poverty feels like; (b) social workers get paychecks and foster parents get payments too; (c) there are plenty of bad apples trying to destroy families by filing false statements in CPS court reports.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — February 20, 2009 @ 10:17 am
Quick follow up – the IP registered to “V” is banned from the site. If you see any more postings of this nature please email me directly to let me know.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — February 20, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Oh, don’t ban her. Let her keep talking.
Defamation and libel come to mind.
Talk on V and on and on and on. It is all a matter of record.
Comment by MaggieC — February 20, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
I am a former foster parent, but even so, I don’t agree with everything that social worker, or whatever “V” is. There are good workers out there (and they tend not to stay with the system very long). Parents appreciate them because they truly care. However, there are workers inside social services that do judge parents and are hell-bent on seeing particular families that cross their paths seperated. Some of those families do need to be seperated, let’s face it – some kids are objects to their parents and aren’t treated very well… but some of those families have been misjudged by high and mighty case workers who can’t spare the time to get their nose out of the clouds and take the time to get to know those families.
Foster parents are not paid, they are re-imbursed. There is a big difference there. Those who are in it for the money, and who use the stipend to make extra money, that means they are not providing for the kids that are in their care. Yes, those foster parents exist… and they give the good ones a bad name. A lot of times when you see foster parents with a lot of foster kids, that’s the case. They can use the stipend for 2-3 kids to take care of them all and then pocket the rest. Don’t get me wrong, there are families out there that are genuinely careing for multiple foster children, but it’s been my experience as a foster mom that this is a red flag. The foster parents that do care for the children often spend more than the state is willing to reimburse them for, and with most that’s ok. I know it was with us. I have not regretting spending one dime out of pocket for any child that has come through my door. I have made friends with many moms and dads who I was blessed to see re-united with their children. Most parents don’t go into the meetings and visitations in the beginning trying to like the foster parents, and I understand why. But these people appreciate knowing their kids are with people who not only care about their children, but treat them with respect too. Foster parents aren’t suppose to judge, and they aren’t suppose to treat these children like they belong to them. They are suppose to treat them the way that they would want their kids treated, and the same goes for the biological parents. I’ve never disrespected not one of my foster kids’ parents (and there have been some pretty abusive ones too – and that’s been hard — it’s hard to respect a parent who sexually or physicall abuses their child), but you do it for the child in those circumstances. One thing I have learned from being a foster parent, children will ALWAYS love their parents, even the abusive ones. When you treat the parents like trash or like dirt — you’re treating the child that way.
I didn’t mean to post such a long reply, but I wanted your readers to see it from a good foster parent’s perspective. There is no money to be made in foster care — if a foster parent is making money, that means the child is being neglected and doing without, and all a case worker or social services worker has to do is look and pay attention… if they can spare the time.
I am, btw, a former foster parent, because I cared too much and overstepped my boundaries trying to help a family remain in contact after the granddaughter was to be adopted.
Comment by LeishaV — February 20, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
I stumbled across this website by accident but did want to ask a question.
You stated that you believe children should not be abused but want CPS to be done away with….so what happens to the kids when they are abused and there isn’t a way to separate them from the situation???? leave them there? what if they were in a single parent home and no relatives wanted to take them…no CPS no foster care…what are the options then???
just curious
Comment by Dani — March 4, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
Dani, child abuse is a criminal matter. If a child is being abused, call a law enforcement officer. The abuser will be arrested and incarcerated. Now, isn’t that better than incarcerating the children in foster homes? Children can go live with their grandparents or other family members if their parents are in jail. Also they can be protected by courts giving legal guardianship to the relatives they go live with. CPS is a needless agency created by the federal government in violation of the tenth amendment, starting in 1973.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — March 5, 2009 @ 12:06 am
ok…but please accurately try to answer my final question I asked. In cases where no relative wants the child? Then what?
I may disagree with the philosophy of this site, but if there are good plans articulated for what to do with children in cases where there are no relatives willing or able…then it wouldn’t bother me that much.
(yes I am a speech therapist that works in the schools and I would protect my kids in a heartbeat…no agenda on MY part)
Thank you!
Comment by Dani — March 5, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
Dani, this is answered in the FAQ above, section three, last paragraph:
“My opinion, and the opinion of many other advocates and activists, is that CAPTA should be repealed. I believe CPS should be abolished, and in its place another foster-care-only agency should be established to take care of the very few children who are truly in need and without any fit extended family members able or willing to take them in.”
Comment by LindaJoMartin — March 6, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
Dear Linda
Thank you for your web-site. I’m one of those family members that was willing and able to take in a relatives child. I’ve had custody of my niece for 5.5 years now.
We currently are petitioning for adoption. However in our case the parents gave us custody.
However having custody and adoption are very different. In this state consent is needed by both parents.
I have had no contact from the natural mother. The natural father did give consent.
Because of this technical detail we may never get to adopt.
We have never requested money from the state. In our eyes this child is our child.
As far as CPS, I have seen them in action.
They lie and break their own laws, and codes of ethics. They twist truths and force families into un-needed, unwanted service plans, all the while dangling children over the heads of their parents.
We need reform. CPS must be help accountable for their actions and must have a “chain of command”. There must be someone watching over these mostly untrained, unskilled “so called” social workers that have the power to destroy families.
I have a friend that is a licensed clinical social worker, who work is in the field of psychology.
She feels that anyone wanting to work as a social worker, should have a masters degree in social work. and years of “life” experience.
Some of these “so called” social workers, are barely out of high school.
Do we want to trust the welfare and future of our families, to someone who lacks the knowledge and maturity needed to work in the very field in which they are working?
Comment by fran — March 11, 2009 @ 9:55 am
I found this site by accident but was glad I did!!! Thank You for being here & providing this information, it does help. In my quest here I was getting ready to write a complaint on 3 workers to the head of dhs, they were never there to help me they already had the foster family picked out no matter my pick for the next of kin placement my worker was for the foster parents who had no children, they didnt do their job while there may be some good ones out there they never were the ones I got!!!! Now then the counselor that was appointed to my children by dhs was sleeping with my EX-HUSBAND so everything went their way & its my beleif that everyone the workers, the DA, & the counselors knew about one another & waited until My rights were terminated & then now my EX-HUSBAND & THE COUNSELOR ARE NOW MARRIED & I HAVE AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON HER RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Ok st health dept. because she has a license & I want jerked. You see I could never prove they were together before I lost my trial & the appeal time was up! Now then I wont stop until I’ve completed everyone who was involved with taking my rights & giving my children to strangers to adopt them now I do believe this has all been done on false pretenses, meaning the adotipons are illegal, & all my EX had to do was exactly what he did & she handed him anything he wanted some counselor she hated my son & he hated her so my ex & her take & ship my son off to a so called nanny will say & would leave him so they could go off & live their lives together now this woman has intials behind her name & handed my children over to other people because of her jealousy for me & my son!! Sorry cant live with that, so my mission is to REWRITE ALL THOSE INVOLVED A NEW RESUME FOR THEM BY THE TIME I’M DONE. they actually took all 4 of my children You dont mess with mother nature were very similar to the animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for listening & or reading Beware & watch your back remember if it doesnt feel right in your gut dont do it or let it be!!!!! May God bless you all & keep his angles around us & our children to protect them & to surround the evil who seeks us. Cristina
Comment by Cristina — March 12, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
There are so many parent victims advocating for their child victims, that I am wondering, utilizing a website such as this, can’t we bridge together physically by geographical locations to support each other in the court/dcs process? I am in SoCal/Inland Empire/SB County, and I would be willing to connect with anyone in this area to see if we can’t help each other in any way that we can!
Comment by Bleu — March 15, 2009 @ 9:54 am
My teen son was taken by dyfs and the judge finally returned him to me against the agency’s wished..infact my lawyer said they were so angry they lost, they were very very angry..why? maybe because they lost out on money..that’s the only thing that makes sense..they took my son because i had a depressed episode being bipolar but it only lasted a week, and they kept him for 4 months at my mom’s and then at a foster group home. I now plan to sue them for violating my constitutional rights in a federal court, but need a good lawyer to do this.
Comment by Susan Rubinstein — March 22, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Does anyone know how long time it should take for the administrative law judge to answer? I’ve been waiting for 4 months now.
It would be nice to have some timeframes somewhere. I tried to look up the state’s website. They did not answer to this one.
Comment by Michiganian — March 23, 2009 @ 9:31 am
Michiganian, have you tried calling the state’s hearings department to ask? I think this is one of those things that would be different in every state.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — March 23, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Susan, try going to the federal courthouse and looking through other cases that have been filed against CPS. Find out what lawyers did it successfully, and contact them.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — March 23, 2009 @ 10:54 am
V is just tipical of the crap CPS says. I just lost my child because she wants to stay with her Grandpa. She made up all kids of lies. We had her in the hospitail and they wanted her in a residental treatment program and we did too. However, they went in and interviewed her in the hosp and took her out. Our attorney told us to just sign over custody because we aren’t going to get her back and it is the only way to keep CPS off our back. He said if we fight it, he can swear we will lose because the Judge likes CPS and trusts them. Plus the law doesn’t even require CPS to prove anything happen, just that it could have happened. We are gooing to sue after it is over and they are off our backs. Seems the only way we can win. Of course, the whole family has been destroyed. Crazy
Comment by Marv — March 25, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
Linda’s comment outrages me!! Who cares if someone passes a law, if they do not enact any oversight or governance over these laws why does it matter???? I have contacted the President, the Govenor, and several Senators and Congressmen. I receive the same response,”We have no oversight over CPS”.
I can go on and on. Visit my website.. http://www.whoprotectsthefamily.com to see the obstacles that myself and other families have encountered.
Comment by CPSMom — March 30, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
CPSMom… exactly what was it that I wrote that outraged you?
Comment by LindaJoMartin — March 30, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
Michiganian,
The time limit is generally governed by statute. Try looking at the Michigan statutes most likely filed under Social Service Laws or something of that nature.
Comment by MaggieC — March 31, 2009 @ 4:26 am
can cps take your for smoking in the house
Comment by jennifer jesttes — March 31, 2009 @ 8:07 am
Yes and no.
Comment by MaggieC — March 31, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
Jennifer… CPS caseworkers can take your child for anything they think they can build a case on. I’ve never heard of anyone’s child being taken for just this one reason, but I wouldn’t put it past them. I’ve heard of children taken for vegan diets, sunburns, and overweight. And I’ve been suspecting for several years that the smoking issue would become a CPS issue too. All they need to do is to convince a judge that your children would be better off in foster homes.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — March 31, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
This type of thing worries the hell out of me.
I would put money on the thought that my mom would try to have cps take my son away.
But in the state of Texas, grandparents have no rights.
She’s already told people I drank and did drugs during my pregnancy.Now she’s telling people that I beat my son.
I’m waiting for the day CPS shows up at my house..
Just waiting.
Comment by Mitch — April 20, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
I hope that never happens to you, Mitch. If you can’t trust your family members, maybe it is time to break off all contact with them.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — April 20, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
This is for the comment relating to San Bernardino/ inland empire- e-mail me at me.vs.cps at gmail.com. I would love to be there with you or just talk about your experience. I dealt with rancho cucamonga cps & the San Bernardino juvenile dependency court, & lost my kids due to completely false allegations of emotional abuse. Something is definately not right.
Comment by D — April 25, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
Family members unfourtunatley are sometimes your worst enemy.
I recently lost my kids twice for a period of over two years, I have 4 children under the age of 5. It was due to my husbands abuse and drug abuse.
However, the best thing that I have learned is do not talk to them, maje them take you into court and lawyer up. You are under NO OBLIGATION to have to speak to them or take any drug test or explain anything to them. Do not let yourself be fooled by the coersion. ANd belive me, I have one of the best after me right now. I had them pull my 5 yearold kidergartener out of her class in elementary school and there is nothing I can do about it. Supposedly they recieved a call into their “HOTLINE” and have re-opened the investigation. But I know I am clean and right so all I can do is NOT TALK TO THEM. Please do not make the same mistakes that I have and put your innocent children through needless suffering.
Comment by Brandi R — May 1, 2009 @ 6:51 am
well lets see i lost my kids based on false accusation. that is what cps told me in the meeting room they plain out said we are tired of hearing about you so we are doing some thing about it. they told me i was only allowed to have to of my kids live with me i have 5 kids. how can they tell a mother that. they made me sign soul custody over of my two of my kids to there dad talk about ripping out my heart. my family was destroyed how can they do that to kids and a mother. i lost my mind was depressed my kids don’t understand it has been almost to years i lost my kids in 2007. my daughter did not want to live with her dad she wanted to live with me. cps made me walk her over and hand her to her dad right along with my son. when i went to court my kids dad lied right along with his parents saying my kids never lived with me. they told such lies how i lost my kids was the worst part. please tell me if i was to blame. my kids dad the father to my two middle kids i was staying with him getting ready to get in to my own place i thought that was nice of him. any way i was wrong one day my friend told me to let her know when i arrived back to the apartments i went to a bbq later that day. well my kids were playing and being good my friend lived in the same apartment complex so it’s not like i went far. i asked him if he would keep an eye on on my youngest he has watched my kids before for me willing lee to. this time was so different of course he said yes he would watch her. she was playing with her sister and did not want to go with me. i was only gone a few minutes and let me tell in that amount of time things can go wrong. my youngest daughter had got in to the butter so my kids dad beat her really bad mind you it was worst then a spanking. when i walked back through the doors she was in her car seat screaming i was terrified seeing my daughter like that i asked what happened he told me. i grabbed my little girl and went back over to my friends it was then when i realized she had markings on her he left hand prints she was marked from the middle of her back to her ankles i was furious how could some one do that to a little girl. i called the police when they sowed up they took pictures of her then went over to talk to him they were going to arrested him,but instead he turned it around on me and said it was my fault or something because the next thing i knew he was not going to jail and the police had to call cps. i was so upset it took me an hour and a half to calm my little girl down so i took her up to the hospital and got her checked out to my surprise she had deep bruise contusions i started to break down and cry. when cps showed up the next day they talked to me then my kids dad whatever he said to them it got flipped around on me it was my fault they said my kids dad did nothing wrong. the next thing i knew i had an open case with cps. that broke my heart he had got away with hurting my little girl. when we went to court things just got worse they did not hear me they just heard i guess what they wanted to hear. i ended up getting all my kids at first with me then too month’s later my middle to kids got ripped away from me. what happened to justice what happened to kids being heard i mean come on not all kids lie my son seen what happened to his little sister they did not believe him though they said little kids take things and stretch it out to some thing it is not. don’t trust any one some times you can’t even trust the police who are suppose to be there and protect you. where were they to protect my little girl from getting beat by a guy who is 6′feet tall. i tell you what is the world coming to. thank you letting me get this of my chest. my life has not been the same and neither has my kids.
Comment by wendy cloinger — May 3, 2009 @ 7:50 am
CPS has done a wonderful job of allowing our troubled and drug addicted teen to make false allegations of abuse. They then graciously allowed him to run wild until he became so out of control that they were finally forced to try to rein him in. So he ran away, and has been missing for months. Great job CPS…btw see you in court.
Comment by Cu' — May 15, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
Funny, there seems to be a clear dichotomy here. Folks that lose their kids due to false accusations seem to support the site, while the nazis that advocate unnecessary government intervention are all for CPS. Hmmm. What that tells me is that a lot of loving families are being harmed and or destroyed, while the “workers” are all about “investigations”. CPS is a completely unnecessary agency. Abuse is a CRIME, call a freaking cop if you see it. All I have EVER seen CPS used for is to give a big hassle to people you don’t like. For example, ex girlfriends/boyfriends, new step parents, noisy neighbors, etc. I have NEVER seen CPS useful in any capacity, and I have been a nurse for 9 years. So, CPS, get over yourselves, and prepare to get a real job. Progress is inevitable, and your “agency” will eventually become a thing of the past, a distant, tragic memory of traumas past. And families dealing with them, I hope you find help to deal with those creeps before you lose your children. God bless-
Comment by kari hill — May 20, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Oh, sorry to repost so quickly, but another idiotic statment caught my eye and I couldnt resist. “No CPS no foster care”? Were you hit in the head? Um, there were orphanages and “foster care” since the dawn of time, called by one name or another. They are even mentioned in the Bible. “Ye shall not afflict the widow or fatherless child – That is, ye shall comfort and assist them, and be ready upon all occasions to shew them kindness.” Exodus 22:22
“God defends the cause of the fatherless, widow and orphan. We are to love the strangers and fear the Lord” Deuteronomy 10:18
Foster care can continue to exist by another name, without the moronic interference of caseworkers.
Comment by kari hill — May 20, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
my friend ask me if i can watch his kidsi told him i had to call my friend to watch my kids but she left them there by them self . the cop show up there and i what down to my house because here faimily was there i was not arrest and childern youth seriver ever show up in till the courthearing in dec 17 thay took my kids . thay have lie use my disabilty to take your kids away and thay threathen to put your kids up for adoption . i did every thing thay ask of me thay will not give me thay back . we are sue the and thay put my daughter up for a adoption. my case worker is my baby father old casewoker and some one else casewoker.
Comment by isabel — May 29, 2009 @ 10:30 am
It’s unfortunate that children are threatening their parents with calling CPS on them. Seems like each generation of kids gets worse and worse. In my day I would never think to swear or say some of the nasty things to my parents as some kids today do. And if I did I would get disciplined for my actions. Now the kids think they can get away with it if you try and discipline them they will threaten you with a call into CPS or the police making false accusations that you hit or abused them and then intentially bruise up themselves.. Here we provide for these children to live under our great home, give them what they need but have the audacity to use CPS threats on us. Kids lie now to get their way and CPS tends to believe every word the kids say without even listening to your side. CPS stay out of it you are not above the court as you say you are
Comment by Against CPS — May 30, 2009 @ 7:42 am
My Granddaughter was removed from my daughter for a reason. My daughter has done everything they want her to do. I am so frustrated because the social worker is acting like a control freak. The worst part about this is I work with this social worker I am a counselor who actually helps families get their children back. I have seen parents who shouldn’t and parents who should get their children back. I have been on both ends and that’s why I do what I do. Since I work in this field I am afraid to say anything although I will. I looked on this site for legal answers something I could stand on when I talk to her. I went on here to find out what my daughter’s rights are is there any rules to this. I should know, but I don’t all I know is that it is primarily always been up to the social workers what has happened. The social worker told my daughter that although she’s doing what she is supposed to do that she probably won’t get her daughter back until over a year and the baby is getting so used to her Grandma that in the end it will be so hard for her. The social worker is running the way the Grandma parents my Granddaughter and is making controlling comments such as,” it’s up to me where that baby goes.” This is so unnecessary and it’s tearing my daughter apart. This particular social worker treats people as if they are so much lower than she is and this is not right. I will probably loss my job for fighting this, but I have to do something and I do need some words of wisdom if anyone can offer it…Thanks
Comment by P — May 30, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
P.S. I have known some very good social workers and soem very bad ones to. Their are a few that work harder than the parents on getting the children back into the home. Unfortunately there are many horror stories I have some of my own. It is very hard to call though the police actually are the ones who make the most CPS reports of anyone I know. They just don’t want to deal with it so they call in the social workers true story…So with that it is sad that anyone would hurt their children so that something like this would have to exist. So when the police arrests the family and their is no one else around to watch the child which i’ve seen then foster homes are necessary. I do agree social workers have way to much power and control over children by far and that is my dilema.
Comment by P — May 30, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
Our safe world./life has been attacked by false accusations with CPS. They have my grandchildren in foster care now. I asked CPS if I could take the children into my care. At the suggestion of the judge my household has had our background checks and have done what is asked of us. The assesment worker told me that after we started the checks and before they came back her superviisor decided that because I am close with my son it would not be in the best interest for me to have the children live with me. I have been leaving messages everyday for 3 weeks for this supervisor so I could explain to her that I know I would not be able to communicate with my son while I had the kids and I am prepared to do that. Keeping my grandbabies with the family is my main concern and objective. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can actually reach this supervisor? Or what else I can do since she doesn’t have the decencey to return my calls.
Comment by Tina Hurstel — May 31, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Dear P;
Bravo to you and kudos:
Few case workers know the rules. (Bingo, you win the prize!!)
BTW, many of the employees are not degreed social workers. Often the term *case worker* is more accurate. An art history major may take over a year to get up to speed. And CPS apparently runs few trainings. This, in itself, may be a violation of the child’s the family’s civil rights.
This in itself could be litigated point, since CPS can sever the most fundamental right accorded to parents–the rights to mother & father w/o excessive government interference.
CPS= CIVIL rights violators, often.
One very accessible site is:
http://www.familyrights.us
Len has lots of very useful info there. It is a GOLD MINE OF INFO.
Different than this site, but both Linda and Leonard know and respect each other’s approach to taming and holding CPS accountable.
Keep reading. Join the Chat room ( Message Boards here)
Perhaps you can see why innocent parents are so distressed at the conduct and oversight of CPS agencies in the US.
It is truly a disaster!
Best. F.
Comment by fern — May 31, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Tina, I would write and/or go see my state legislator to request help in reasoning with the agency. Also the county supervisor and … if all else fails, I’d file a request for an administrative hearing.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — June 1, 2009 @ 7:22 am
Tina, Find the nearest agency in your area that can advocate for you. Call the CPS office anonymously and tell them you are looking for parenting services and call down the list and let them know what you are going through. I have worked with Grandparents fighting to get their Grandchildren before they receive our counseling services and we advocate for them. This particular Grandmother had to get and attorney usually the attorney for the parent on the case can be contacted about this and actually help you. I’m so sorry to hear that it’s such crap and part of the reason I now feel the way I do about CPS. I’m a Grandparent who couldn’t get my Granddaughter because 15 years ago (I was 24) their were CPS reports the crazy thing is they all happened when I was in treatment getting help and it was Grandparents fighting between eachother and had nothing to do with me. The crazyiest thing is I teach parenting and I am a counselor and advocate for parents, but I can’t take care of my own Granddaughter. Keep fighting I will not give up as a matter of fact I will get an attorney I will find a way to clear my name and I will not give up and you don’t either…!
Comment by P — June 3, 2009 @ 6:53 am
My kids were taken due to substance abuse. This I was doing even though I took care not to let my children see. I’m kind of wondering what more hurdles I have to jump. Parenting class is over in just 3 wks and I do random drug screens which I have passed though they have only sent me for 3 (Ive asked to be sent once a wk or more) , take substance abuse sessions and do individual therapy, I keep visits timely and usually the kids are late, I only get supervised visitation and just now getting to 2 hours, I have a 8 yr old son, a 7 yr old daughter and a 2 yr old daughter, with summer here and all the work I’m doing I’ve asked about better visitation such as at the great-grandparents home where the older 2 are and the fathers home where my youngest is… I was turned down for that and also turned down for unsupervised visits in any way…. What more do I do???
Comment by Angel — June 3, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
By the way in Ky and e-mail is wasyoursnowgone at aol.com
Comment by Angel — June 3, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
Cool!
Comment by Anton — June 3, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
Here’s a good one for you,I took my children to school one morning,and I pulled up to the school and I opened theslider of our van to let them out…The slider opened on the side facing the school,my 6 year old was throwing his tantrum about his shoes not being tight(it;s a sensory thing)and I was patting him on his head to motivate him to get him out of the van so he would’nt miss breakfast…the school staff thought they seen me punching my child in the back…he went into the school crying,they thought they were going to take pictures of my childs back,guess what there was nothing their to take pictures of…they called cps anyway,knowing they had no proof of nothing…because of the accusations I will have a child abuse record for the rest of my life…which means that I won’t be able to go on field trips with my child…I pulled my children out of that school….makes me wonder if my children are safe to go to a public school…my wife has been brought up in foster care most of her life,and cps is going to use her past to use against her…that;s sad when that;s all they got on a person….how ridicules is that…
Comment by Lonnie vas — June 4, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
Lonnie, It’s because of stories like yours I have lost faith in this system. A girl I worked with recently told me that the state of California has a warped system. She has worked with CPS in other states and has seen nothing like the one here in California. I know its bad all over, but here it gets so out of hand.
Comment by P — June 13, 2009 @ 10:15 am
FYI for those who still have their children. You never know when someone will report you. You may show up at daycare or school one day only to find your children gone. You protect your family every time you get in your car by making sure everyone is strapped in safely because you never know when you might have an accident. Protect your children and yourself from CPS, just in case.
You can write a document stating that no school, city, county, state, or law enforcement employee may question or converse with your child about anything or anyone beyond the scope of school related education. Nobody has permission to remove your child from class for anything other than a school related issue and even then, that person must be a school employee performing in the scope of their job duties.
If anyone should come to or call the school requesting to speak to or see your child, you require the school to get their name, title, agency and phone number and call you with this information before the end of business on the day contact is made. State that this letter is in effect from (date) until (last day of school). You demand the school principal to ensure all office personnel be aware of the requirements stated herein and ensure all personnel abide by the requirements.
Be sure to put that a copy of this letter is to be kept in the child’s school file. Get the principals signature on it and have it witnessed by a notary. Do this every school year. Do a separate one for each child.
Educate your kids about not answering questions that aren’t about school. Give them a laminated statement that says My child’s name is (name). I forbid you to speak to/with my child and demand you call me immediately. My child has been told not to speak with you and to call me right away. Put in their lunchbox, purse, wallet, pocket or on a string. Make sure they carry it at all times.
CPS always brings a cop. It’s for their own protection. They never know if a parent will attack. CPS is there only to investigate an anonymous tip. Here’s how they trick you. There is no warrant or court order. The TPN they hand you is not a legal document. A warrant or court order for removal is a legal document from a court of law. It must have the state seal, judges signature and be notarized. In other words, when they ask if they can come in SAY NO go outside. If they say they have to see the house, ask for the warrant.
If they want to see your kids tell them, you are busy right now and you can set an appointment for them. (they make you set appointments don’t they?) Inform them that they will only have permission to see the children. Any questions they have must be submitted to you in writing 3 days in advance so you can confer with an attorney. Then politely excuse yourself. Do not answer any questions. You may just frustrate them enough with your legal knowledge that they won’t want to come back.
Good luck all. I lost 3 court cases and 6 grandkids before I learned any of this. I miss them all very much.
Comment by Robin — June 23, 2009 @ 1:49 am
I am a registered nurse in the state of California – and in the midst of a hostile custody battle with a 5 time convicted violent criminal. We have been divorced for 7 years and for the past 2 1/2 years I have been subjected to the harassment of this criminal via CPS. The ex calls CPS, my job, my neighbors, friends, and the Board of Registered Nursing routinely to falsely accuse me of child abuse. I have survived 5 full “investigations” by CPS, two of which law enforcement actually supported me that there was NO EVIDENCE of any abuse.
There is documented timelines that the false accusations come from the ex and his new wife EVERY time we are in court over child support and/or visitation. My oldest son was convinced by this psychopath to claim I “beat him” – no bruises or injuries of course – to obtain a new motorcycle. The abuse of the system by this jerk finally forced me to send my eldest son – who would stand in my face and say “my dad told me that he wants me to live with him and you are a stupid b&*%h” – I finally sent him to live with his dad..which he loathes…now a year later my youngest son is falling victim to his fathers coersion.
CPS now at my house again acting “empathetic” that they have to investigate me again…no EVIDENCE, of course. I finally told them I am no longer going to participate in this obviously fabricated situation – I will likely lose custody of my youngest son over it -where is the justice for me???? AND FOR MY CHILDREN??? My children, my life, my professional license (which is how I support my children) and my very freedom in jeopardy – I’m on the verge of giving up…is there ever any recourse against these incessant false filings? Please, any suggestions are welcomed. Before it’s over with, I will be forced to send both my children to this sociopaths custody and will be paying him child support – not to mention my son’s are being victimized to make false accusations against their own mother to please their “dad”…please help!!
Comment by Michelle — July 1, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Phooey on child predatory social work ‘V’, she has NO idea how CPS destroys innocent families!
PLEASE, can someone offer information on to go about appealing a family court ruling in Arizona? My niece has just lost a two plus years battle with CPS and Family Court has awarded the alcoholic father full custody.
Please help, we have no idea how to appeal in Arizona.
Thank you all and Linda, THANK YOU FOR THIS SITE! God bless all of you on this site seeking help!
Comment by Dee-Dee — July 17, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
Dee-Dee, so sorry your case ended badly! I don’t know how to appeal in AZ… I’d start by asking the court appointed lawyer and the county clerk. As I understand it the appeal has to start within a few days. Doesn’t the court appointed lawyer have to file for it?
Comment by LindaJoMartin — July 18, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
One of the biggest problems with CPS is because they are into self regulation. Filing appeals, etc are never going to work against them because it would require them admitting there is some wrong doing on their part and they aren’t going to do that.
I made the mistake of filing some complaints in Tennessee and quickly realized it was useless. I filed complaints to nine or ten places and every single one of them ended up being forwarded to the SAME office.
The only thing you can do is hire a good attorney. I have learned in the state of Tennessee there are SEVEN cases in the TN Supreme Court. If I had the means there would be eight.
I now consider myself an advocate for the falsely accused especially loving fathers. In Tennessee, there was a recent report complaining how few fathers are involved in their children’s lives etc. Well did it ever occur to the mental midgets we have running our state that many loving fathers back off because the legal system does nothing to help us?
Comment by Dustin — July 18, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
I am a grandmother that hurts everyday for her daughter. My daughter is an excellent mother to my only granddaughter and only grandchild. My daughter has suffered in the past from a mental disability. She received treatment and now the doctor’s don’t find her enough depressed, so therefore they will not prescribe medication. To me, this tells me that she is doing great.
The sorry ex-son-in-law constantly is threatening to take her back to court to fight for custody of my granddaughter. Why do parents think that children cannot think for themselves nor have opinions. Every time that my granddaughter for example will tell her father that she does not want to live with him, he turns around and accuses my daughter of putting this in her head. My granddaughter is a very bright and intelligent child.
Since her divorce, no matter where she moves, we can count on CPS showing up. Someone is always calling and filing false accusations. This has been going non-stop for over a year. CPS has interviewed my granddaughter, to the point of making her cry. No child should be put through this experience. I am not saying children don’t lie, but normally children are innocent and will tell the truth. She has dealt with CPS workers that from the beginning immediately categorize her as one of the same bad parents that they deal on a day to day basis. I or anyone can call on a daily basis, lie, ruin someone’s life and this is OK. I have seen a case worker that has stated that a parent must have a living room, a dining room… so that the children are not removed from a loving home. Tell me what furniture except for a bed has to do with how a child is raised.
To me, this is taking it personal and if a parent makes a statement to this effect, they end up in jail because of the power hungry CPS worker. Something needs to get done, so that CPS does not have the authority to just accuse a parent without substantiated proof.
There are some good CPS workers but the bad ones out weigh the good ones. They go on this power trip, that they can hold someone’s life in their hands. I have seen CPS workers take their jobs to extreme where they are harassing an of course this is within their rights. This needs to stop.
I am sure when the laws were created, they were created to protect the children from some bad parents, because we do have some bad parents, but please don’t categorize all parents as bad parents. There are many reasons why people will make false accusations, going through a divorce, not wanting to pay child support, being jealous, mad at the person, owing money to them and list can go on and on. A person on death row has more rights than a parent working with CPS.
In the eyes of the court, you are innocent until proven guilty and in the eyes of CPS you are guilty until proven innocent. But how can you prove you are innocent, if they only believe whoever files the complaint. If the court would follow-up on those persons filing a complaint and turn the tables around to file charges against them if the filed accusations are false, we would have a better system. If an anonymous call is placed, yes investigate, but if the charge in not substantiated, please close out the case and allow the family to move on, but no, again the power hungry CPS worker starts their harassment trail.
Enough is enough. No one is perfect and I strongly feel that most CPS workers only become a CPS worker because they cannot find a job anywhere else and again don’t take me wrong because there are some very good CPS, but they don’t last long and burn out too quick. Parents and grandparents need to unite and let their legislators and the courts know that it is time for them to get off their behinds with not wanting to get involved and do their jobs. They took an oath to service their constituents, so serve. Just simpling saying, we do not oversee CPS, is not the answer and we should not allow them to get away with it.
My daughter is trying so hard to better herself by trying to get a higher education and just because the ex and his family feel that she should not be doing this, they try their hardest to bring her down every chance they get and it is possible that they are the one’s doing this.
Families we must unite and make our government aware of all of the injustice that is going on and it must be stopped!
Cookie – Ohio
Comment by Cookie — July 21, 2009 @ 3:31 am
@ robin
I am a cps investigator. I understand your pain. I do however want everyone to know that a school cannot stop cps from interviewing ones child. The law forces school officials to allow cps to interview your child. This law is in effect for multiple reasons.
If someone wants to tell their children to not talk to cps, that is their right, however the school has to allow it by law.
Comment by mike — July 26, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
My husband left me for a 20 years old at work.
Now he has my kids and will not let me have them back, calling CPS on me several times when I was drug tested negative. How do I get my kids back? I have no money for a lawyer.
Comment by amy Brady — July 29, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
How do you find this site on accident? I have only had CPS called on me in the past, from people that are jealous, with pride, careless, hateful, angry, relentless, indictive, hypicritical, envious, retarded, judgemental, delusional, demented people. Those times left unfounded. One social worker, was in fact a hater, spent ten minutes at my place and made her opinion @ the time I lived in a hotel ( I moved new owners took over our rental house) in between moves was in hotel, kids had to go to school, school judged me poorly, Social worker just totally wrong. I have had my children all three over nine years now, I am 27 years old, They had never been to the E.R never had any accidents, straight a students, etc…. I am young so I see the misunderstanding. Judge not lest ye be judged, and you are not God How can you judge someone from twenty minutes yet ye has not known thee thy whole life. Ugh so now my sister has called them, she has lost one of hers. I will not go into depth to compare the two of us just know she has no room to talk, just over the years she has hurt me like no other and this is just one example, another is that I came to live with her and she put me and my children in a shelter becuase I would not work at her prior job (stripping) I could not. So the things I said about the people who intend on calling cps to ruin someones life are first those who are in fact all of the above.
Comment by kristy — July 30, 2009 @ 4:36 am
the first time i had some dealing with cps is when thay came to my shop to tell darby reyes mother that her child was dead due to a auto acident where he was not buckled in after his name was allready on the news his mother had problem right were they trying to kill her too the foster care taker should have not hauled the child around like cargo in back of suv
who checks on foster fam
Comment by larry in va — July 31, 2009 @ 12:05 am
i have a friend that has a false claim against him. there are two kids in house. what should be done? cps wants to come out tomorrow.
Comment by larry in va — July 31, 2009 @ 12:09 am
Amy, for feedback on your case please register at our message board. It sounds like you’re going to need a lot of help. This may involve you going to court on your own without a lawyer.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — July 31, 2009 @ 6:37 am
Larry in VA – see What to Do if CPS Agents Are Investigating You.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — July 31, 2009 @ 6:57 am
Hi my name is Cheyenne. A woman and a police man took me and my brother away from my mom and dad and they won’t tell us why. Now we have to live with my Gram and another woman said we will get a new family soon. My Gram said my mom and dad don’t love us anymore and they don’t want us but I don’t believe her. We get to see my mom and dad on Saturday for four hours and they come every week no matter what. I think my Gram is upset because my mom and dad got divorced and she is making CPS give us to her instead of letting us stay with mom and dad. Nobody will listen to us and they won’t even let us talk to my mom and dad except when they come on Saturday. I don’t want to go to a new family and my brother doesn’t want to either. We want to go home with my mom and dad and no one will let us. I tried to call a layer but everytime I call they say I am to young and I can’t get a lawyer myself. I tried to sign up for the messageboard but I can’t get in there either. I really need help please!! We just want to go back home to my mom and dad. I know they are divorced but I don’t think that is a reason for us to not be allowed to see them anymore. Please. My Gram is gone for the whole day today and my brother and I are here alone so I can only talk on the computer today. She will be back tomorrow morning and then I do not know when I will be able to talk again. She does not allow us to talk on the computer or the phone and she took the cord for the phone with her. But my brother figured out how to make the computer work even though she had a password on it. We need help please so we can get out of Gram’s house and go back home please!!!!
Comment by Cheyenne — August 20, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Ok where do you find success stories of parents getting their kids back?? And the details.
Comment by Lisa Kaneck — August 25, 2009 @ 7:58 am
We had a fallout with our builder and realtor. Good friend’s of the builder and realtor live in our neighborhood and has called CPS on us last summer with in a three weeks of moving into our house. The complaints were unfounded. We also received complaints through our association with in two weeks of moving into a new house with no yard yet. This year we received complaints from our association and another complaint through CPS. I now have CPS in my home five days a week some days and some evenings and a separate worker coming out once or twice a month. I am having a difficult time being gracious. I also have a nurse coming out once a month from last summer’s call. I tried to tell DFS this increases my duties. They think I am paranoid about being harassed.Today, the harasser drove by and I was in my house for a few seconds to retreive some CPS paper work for me to fill out. She drove by while I was watching my children and the whitel SU driving by from a window about to go outside to tend to my kids. I cannot control who calls and complains about us. Our worker says if there are more complaints of unsupervised children the children maybe taken from the home My family is being harassed and watched daily. I have now decided to keep my three children four and under in the house all day since my part of my back yard can be seen from the road as well. I have two teenage boys whom one of them was not watching the properly having my two year old outside alone. A fleeting thought that CPS would eventually be at my door came to mind as I was driving up These neighbors do not like us because of what happened during the building process with their broker an builder friends. When we complained during this process we met with much retaliation. As long as this neighbor lives in our neighborhood there will be no rest for us. Our priest suggested we pray for healing of the three families possibly four who have been harassing us. Satan is using their wounds to lash out at my family. One of my social workers grew up Catholic. I don’t h ave much time to pray a formal novena for a saint to pull a miracle during the day or go to adoration on my own to resolve these issues. Maybe i will ask for free baby sitting so I can go to 24 hour adoration of Jesus to resolve this in a pinch and to have one of my social workers to pray with me to stop the harassment and to convert the harassers.
Comment by Deann — August 26, 2009 @ 12:14 am
Lisa, you can find some success stories on the message forum in the “Happy Endings” section.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — August 27, 2009 @ 12:25 am
First of all, let me say that I volunteer for CASA where I live and work with children who are legitimately abused, in fact, I look over my cases and refuse to accept one with “questionable” findings or findings over religion or culture or even things that could have been handled with services while the children were in the home. I am known as the one who takes the “worst of the worst” and I know that there are bad social workers, I amworking with one right now. I am using just initials to protect my positions, because I care about the kids i work with and because I have an interesting story to tell, that although it was dismissed, I would rather not be known where I live…(even those who work in child advocacy are not above CPS torture and the anonymous caller system)
In December 2005, my husband was deployed to Iraq and his best friend was due to leave in six months, to save on rent he moved into our home and thank god he did, because in February of 2006 I became violently ill and had an emergency surgery after a week of not knowing what was wrong. During that surgery they found out I needed a complete hysterectomy (at age 27) in the near future. My husband’s buddy is a registered nurse, so for that period of time I was well taken care of and so were my two youngest children (I share custody of my two older children and they do school with their dad to keep them from having to move all over the country, my younger two were not in school at this time). In April of 2006, my husband’s buddy’s deployment was imminent, and over concern for my upcoming surgery he encouraged me to befriend the wife of another friend of his and we hit it off immediately. We spent a lot of time together over the next few months and when at the end of August 2006 I had to have my surgery, she took care of my kids, made sure they got to their pre-school programs and helped me through a dangerous, life-threatening surgical complication ( my one day stay in the hospital turned into six and I was sent home sick). During this time the Army refused to send my husband home and I gave her a limited POA to care for the children, I did what I thought was best. I went home from the hospital to her home. As we were leaving the hospital, a nurse told this woman I was being a wimp and should be better within 48 hours. Mind you, I went home with an infection, one day after three blood transfusions and with a severe reaction to several medications. I had also had two previous C-Sections and they used the same scar to open me up, which increases pain. From that moment on, things changed.
After 2 days this woman informed me I needed to walk my daughter to school, which I did, but barely made it. The next day I left her home and went home. Two weeks later we had to pick up the wife of a friend of my husband’s in another state. I was still in a drug fog and still very weak. I received a large check the day before this check which I cashed and this woman took the money. Like I said, I was in no position to argue, I barely knew what was going on. I never saw a dime of that money.
A week after we returned, my daughter came home from school with a large bruise near her eye. I called the school and they informed me that a little boy in her class had accidentally hit her with a block in class and it was documented. At midnight that night, CPS and a police officer came to my home to interview me and the kids over this bruise and that someone had reported I had dragged my child home by the arm that day (funny, I didn’t pick her up that day, a nice assistant at the school brought her to me as I lived across the street and could not yet drive). I, still recovering and actually feeling worse, let them in. I will admit to the following:
My house was a disaster. I had had two surgeries in less than six months and was deathly ill in between. My dryer had broken while I was in the hospital and I could not afford to fix it. I did the bare minimum to keep my house livable and did the best I could.
At this time, I called the woman who had helped me and she spoke to the social worker and told her the situation and then they left. The social worker have instructions to this woman to assist me as much as she could and that she would be back in two weeks. I said fine and put my kids back to bed. I spent two weeks cleaning the house top to bottom (no help from the other woman). Split my incision open, missed my follow up appointment for my surgery, and asked the school if they called, they said no. During this time I also begged the Army to send my husband home. I also began to distance myself from this woman who was my “friend” I was coming out of my fog after surgery and things were not adding up.
The day of the two -week follow up, the SW called and said it would be at least another week as my case was a minor thing that was going to be unfounded. The other woman was there when this call came in. I went to the doctor that day to see about my open incision and it was recommended that I allow my younger child to stay at a friend’s home overnight as I would be on pain meds and antibiotics and she was well, barely three and a challenge. I allowed her to stay at this woman’s house against my better judgement to allow me to rest for the one night.
The next day was the worst day of my life. I have been through military deployments, my husband’s disability, my divorce from my first husband, etc etc and still, this was the worst. At 1:15 or so pm I received a text from this woman stating that she had both of my children. School was out in 10 minutes so I wondered why and where she would have my older daughter, who should have been in pre-school. I went over to the school and asked why I had not been informed she was taken out early and was told there was no need to inform me, she was on the pick-up list. I asked if they thought it was strange that my daughter, who had never missed one day of class would leave early, they said yes, but policy states they cannot questions pick-ups from authorized individuals. I called the woman who had my children and she would not tell me where they were. I went to a neighbors and she called the woman while I called the police. The neighbor was told my children were at the laundry mat and that myself and my husband knew where they were. My husband was in IRAQ how would he know where they were???? The police refused to help me stating that with a POA for in case (ONLY) I was unable to care for my children I had essentially given up my parental rights. I then called my husband’s nit and dispatched an immediate emergency message to Iraq. Then I called social work on post (Total time children missing at this point, over three hours) and found out my children were at the hospital on post getting examined for sexual assault….BY ME! I was in shock and demanded that this woman and the friend she had with her be stopped immediately and my children removed. I was told she could do with my children whatever she wanted and the police were on their way.
14 hours, not as long as some of the parent son here, but 14 hours I was missing my children. They were kidnapped and not even by CPS, by a crazy person. She only returned them when the hospital found NO signs of abuse (even the bruise fading on my daughters face was consistent with regular childhood injuries) and after my husband called her from Iraq threatening her. She returned them with a police escort, but did not tell the police why they were there, when I did, the MP threatened her with arrest and pressed charges against her friend who had no business being near my children.
The next day I was visited by CPS and the police to get my statement on the accusations, accusations proven false. The SW was in shock because this woman had told her two weeks before that I was the best mom in the world and was now telling everyone I was a sexual predator. That I masturbated in front of mine and her children and had mutliple sex partners while my husband was gone. The SW, thankfully, ignored her accusations and then investigated this woman for emotional abuse on my and her children. The police demanded that I get the POA rescinded (it was done before they got there) and that my husband’s unit send him home (he got home three days later). My mother-in-law flew down and helped with the kids because as a result of this, I developed a staph infection in my incision, a migraine headache, and agoraphobia, and anxiety while on post. But the story didn’t end there…
Although CPS was going to drop the case, I had to clear up several false allegations this woman made against me at the hospital including that I had lost all rights to my older two children, who I had just weeks before she did this, around her. My older children were interviewed by CPS in the state where they live and it was discovered that this woman’s 13 year old son had molested my oldest daughter, which caused the woman to lose custody of him. My ex and his wife were outraged and threatened me with legal harm. although they did not follow through, realizing that I was physically ill the entire time this was going on and simply trusted the wrong person. This woman stalked and harrassed me from October 2006 to April 2007, when we moved to another state. She drive by my home, stalked my daughter at school (her kids went there) until I took the drastic measure of not only removing my child from her pre-school program (my legally blind child who needed the program), i also had her evicted from post and her daughter removed from her school. I also had her older children, who I loved like my own, arrested on several ocassions for vandalism, threats, stalking, etc. It broke my heart, it wasn’t their fault. I lived in fear for over six months!!! I was on medication, still recovering from surgery, my father died in another state, etc and it was hell. In fact, there are times I still live in hell. Her public profiles on several sites make veiled comments on the situation and it scares me that she could find my kids or me. She has lost her older two children because she was found to be abusive. Her husband left her and SHE BLAMES ME!
I know my story is long, but it needed to be told. I have not spoken of it for almost three year except to my husband but I felt the urge to speak now. The anonymous tip system is a BAD idea. it turns out she made the first call to CPS and the had friends make other calls to back up the story that I pushed my legally blind daughter down the stairs. She knew her son was molesting my older daughter, my husband confronted her about it, and she stated she was afraid he had done it to the younger two as well, so she decided to find someone to blame for it. ME! If I had known she made the first call, she would have never been allowed anywhere near me or my children again.
I am not a perfect mother, but I am a good mother. Except for the time I was ill, I kept a nice house, had my kids in activities and have always worked in public service. Thankfully, my incident turned out well, I have my kids and they were so young, they have forgotten being “examined” internally and externally by a doctor. But, if the SW had wanted to , my kids would have been in the system. I am not a stupid woman, I have a graduate degree and work in public service, but if it can happen to me, It can happen to anyone.
Comment by KP — September 1, 2009 @ 12:06 am
For those that feel lost, dont let your guard down, not for a second. Is true the program is a flaw. It was shocking to find this site. I am glad I did. My family agony was not really over after 5 days of separtion, we still under surveillance.
JB
Comment by JB — September 20, 2009 @ 2:38 am
My kids are all detained with CPS for 2 months now. It’s on only hearsay crap. I wonder about filling a kidnapping charge against CPS threw the police department. Yes they will make me look more crazy for doing that. I aam wondering if anyone has tried this.
Thanks,
Comment by Smith — October 6, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
KP- Military wife
Thank you for your story. I believe there is a MILITARY SECTION on this site’s Message Board.
We are very aware that CPS is a very corrupt, mismanaged, and non-professional institution.
Are you not entitled to free legal representation through your husband’s military service?
Please register to join the Message Boards here and help others who are also wondering about CPS’ intent.
And also, never SPEAK TO CPS. Anything you say will be twisted, spun, and mis-heard.
Thanks for your contribution to this site.
Comment by Fern — October 7, 2009 @ 5:28 am
Dear Linda,
It’s been a while since I have looked at your website and I would like to compliment you on the improvements you have made to make it so user-friendly.
I’m a husband and father of two sons, now ages 21 and 19, who were removed from our home ten and a half years ago. It took us almost one year to get them back home with us on a “trial visit” and the better part of another year until the court finally saw fit to dismiss the dependency case that had been our worst nightmare.
I work full time as a transactional lawyer in addition to being a family caregiver. My wife has been disabled as a result of multiple sclerosis for more than twenty years. During that time, we have had some on-and-off part-time help in the home, and are presently in the process of finding someone new to help out as our most recent helper became pregnant with her second child.
Very recently, a wonderful doctor who was my wife’s MS clinician for many years passed away. His passing brought up memories of how supportive he was when CPS inflicted its damage on our family, and I wrote a loving tribute in his memory that is posted at http://sciencedude.freedomblogging.com/?s=van+den+noort .
A memorial service will take place tomorrow morning.
Coming back and reading some of the posts on your site breaks my heart. The stories of families falsely accused and victimized by the system are only slightly less awful than the stories of those children who are truly victims of abuse.
Having heard so many such stories years ago, I am now finally ready to tell ours and have begun writing a book. It was this good doctor’s passing that moved me to finally begin the writing process.
What I have not delayed, however, is trying to do something to make things better for other families. I applaud your efforts in that regard, and I invite you and your readers to visit my blog at the url indicated above.
Personally, I am committed to supporing the efforts of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, a non-profit corporation that works at the policy level with legislatures to effect change where it will have the most broad and significant impact.
Thank you so much for maintaining this site. Your efforts are deeply appreciated.
Regards,
Steven H. Hirsch, Esq.
http://www.reasonableefforts.blogspot.com
Comment by Steven H. Hirsch — October 8, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Unfortunately, in just as many cases, I have found that to be not quite the case. ,
Comment by John22 — October 22, 2009 @ 4:39 am
I am writing for a young couple that I know that has had their son taken away and put in a foster care home— this couple cannot afford a computer and I am assisting them in finding help for their situation– they went to court and the court process, based on verbal testimony and a 2006 law, terminated their parental rights on accusations that are NOT true—the 7 yr old child has been place in foster care and this case is almost a yr old– will be on October 28th, 2009 ! Because of the parents low income , having a attorney who be impossible for them & they have been actively trying to get their son back thru written letters & court info sent to Michigan legislators, govenor etc—- with NO results — These parents are devasted as to what has happened in their life and feel all their efforts so far have been in vain They have not seen or heard from their son since he was taken out of the home on Oct 28th, 2008 !!!!!– They are NOT guilty of what they’ve been accused of and it is amazing how the system can devastate the family unit, based on verbal information and NO criminal evidence of ANY kind to this child that they love dearly– Even one of the the psychologists who testified in the court case says that proper protocol had not been followed and that the parents have been “railroaded”.! Can someone please help us out with direction to get help !
Comment by Norma Clay — October 29, 2009 @ 5:51 am
Norma, I would take a trip to the state capitol to talk to the state representative about this. Also I’d file for a state administrative hearing. It seems absolutely wrong that they would not have visitation, at least, and a reunification plan. Have you seen the court order? Please look around the site for more ideas on fighting this case. Usually parental rights aren’t terminated until about 18 months after a child is detained.
Make Your Court Appointed Lawyer Work for YOU
Comment by LindaJoMartin — October 30, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
I NEED HELP!! MY KIDS AGES 6 AND 1 MONTH WAS TAKEN FROM MY HOME BECAUSE MY BOYFRIEND AT THE TIME THREATENED TO KILL ME AND PUT A GUN TO MY HEAD, I TOOK MY KIDS UPSTAIRS IMMEDIATELY TO HIDE OUT . I WAS SCARED TO CALL THE POLICE SO I WENT BACK DOWN BYMYSELF AND TOLD HIM TO LEAVE, A “FRIEND” CALLED THE COPS AND WHEN THEY CAME, THEY CAME WITH CPS . THEY TOOK MY KIDS THE SAME NIGHT AND SAID I WAS UNFIT TO KEEP MY KIDS SAFE, THE GIRL WHO CALLED CPS TOLD THEM THAT MY DAUGHTER HAD NOT SEEN THE DOCTOR SINCE BIRTH WHICH WAS FALSE, AND THAT SHE WAS IN MY HOUSE AND FOUND THE GUN WHICH IS ALSO FALSE, THE CPS WORKER ALSO CLAIMED THAT WHEN THEY GOT TO THE HOUSE THAT THEY GUY WAS STILL THERE, THAT WAS FALSE. WHEN THEY CAME I WAS STILL U[PSTAIRS AND MY DOOR WAS LOCKED , THEY CAME GOT ME FROM UPSTAIRS AND TOLD ME TO OPEN THE HOUSE WHEN I DID THEY SEARCHED MY HOUSE, AND DIDNT FIND ANYTHING, NOW I HAVE A CPS WORKER THAT ISNT TRYING TO HELP ME AT ALL, SHE THINKS EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY IS A LIE, I DONT HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GO SEE MY KIDS, SO I HAVE TO RIDE THE PUBLIC TRANSIT, WHEN SHE FOUND OUT I WAS RIDING THE BUS THERE SHE STARTED TELLING ME I COULDNT SEE MY KIDS BECUASE THEY WERE OUT OF TOWN , OR THE VISITAION HAD BEEN CANCELLED FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER, THEN SHE CHANGED THE OFFICE WHERE I VISIT MY KIDS BECAUSE I DONT HAVE A WAY TO GET TO THE NEW OFFICE. MY LAWYER SUCKS HE ISNT TRYING TO HELP AT ALL EITHER, MY CPS WORKER IS TRYING TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTERS FATHERS HOUSE, AND MY SON AS WELL WHO HE HAS NO TIES TO, HE IS ON DRUGS REAL BAD, HE HAS A VERY VIOLENT CRIMINAL HISTORY INCLUDING 2 MURDER CHARGES,4 INTRODUCING DRUGS TO MINOR CHARGES,3 POSSESION CHARGES, AND A PROSTITUION CHARGE, HE IS MARRIED TO A CRAZY MHMR PATIENT THAT STABS HIM ALL THE TIME AND ALWAYS PLEADS INNOCENT BY INSANITY…I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT??
Comment by Amanda — November 30, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Social Service took custody of my two neices.When contacting them to let them know I was here for the children they did not respond to me.When the court date arrive a week later.the judge order the children to be placed in my home temp.Social service was very much against this?I raised three children and have a great family enviroment.Why would they disagree with family first.We have been bless financialy and never required any help from dss.They threatened to put the children up for adoption if the parents didnt straighten up and get help.the social worker and supervisor both said because I took the children that they would never get help.I was very upset with this statement,It seem to me to be exceptable for these kids to suffer in a strange home at the hope that the parents might straighten up their drug history.Are they using these children or do they have a bigger agenda? I believe adoption is the motive!why would they ever say this to me knowing they also have grandparent in another state waiting for transit work to be completed.Meanwhile children remain with me.the children went to their grandparents after a long battle with cps.They where completely against this.Proud to say mother doing very well and father well we are watching and praying.Soon after children where released by judge to granparents along came another child we have been preparing for her birth.The mother again tested positive.I was so disappointed of coarse i knew social services knew so I called them to let them know I was here for the baby.When i went to the hospital to pick up child and mother social services had already taken the baby.After many call to the dept and several days later.I was told by the supervisor that this time I was not an option.Remember home studies and checks already completer 3 mnth prior .
I hired an attorney who seem to know these workers.took my money and decide to wait as long as possible to delay paperwork to judge.One day before court she files and never calls me.She then head to bank to cash my check.My bank calls to verify check.great bank and I asked to speak with her,I then fired her and stopped payment of check.took several days to file knowing court was the following morning.Well the day came and when getting the opportunity to speak to the court about the new baby,the judge was so mad at social services for their breaking the laws of family first act.He ordered the child over to me immediately.Again the cps argued over and over and judge was going to hold them in contempt.Im wondering what cps motives where for these children to be in foster care and or adoption.Something seems seriosly wrong here!But if there is one thing is speak from your heart to the judges and say as little as possible to cps.they are not for family!I live in nc and im seriously wanting to stand up and scream at these agency.
Im now fighting for another child of this family.She living with adopted parents and claims she has been sexually assaulted by a pastor / adopted father.the child is remove from home,Place in adopted family members home.But an another adopted child remains in home of accused sexual assault parent.Cps finds this ok?
I argue with them and they tell me I can no long be around this child who alledges she has been sexually assaulted him..I believe the child.Regardless do they not have to protect children who may be at risk?The child left in home with this man is and 7yrs of age and because they asked her and she said no,then its ok?
what are they afraid of?I am also the biological aunt of this child.Mayb e because of the connection of the birth mother?The child always knew her mom and believe it or not love her and wants very much to return to her mother.Althought she is recovering and holding strong with three other children mention earlier.Unfortunately drugs use has created a very confusing situations for these children and all she can do now is fight for her kids one day at a time.She has come along way in recovery and I am proud of her trying hard to make life better for herself an her children.Family support is so important she is living proof.Can any tell me what the heck cps is trying to achieve in each event.I pray for all the children in the world and yes to hell with cps.They Seem to have there own agenda’s.
Comment by patty koluch — December 1, 2009 @ 12:00 am
Patty, CPS will get bonus money from the federal government for every child adopted out. The federal financial incentives are what are causing most of the problems in child welfare.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — December 1, 2009 @ 6:37 am
(Fathers Statement)
In June of this year, 20 minutes after feeding my 3 mo old daughter, I found her not breathing and with no heart beat in bed. I started CPR and then took her next door to the neighbors to have them call 911 since I could not get a signal on my cell. After 20 minutes I managed to get her heart started and breathing on her own. The ambulance arrived about 5 minutes after. She was in the hospital for one month. About one week after her admittance, I was approached by the hospital social worker to inform me that someone had called CPS (She was puzzled since she is the one who usually calls if there is suspected child abuse) and made the following statement.”The father has an auto-immune disease and is on heavy pain medications and is frequently groggy and tends to self-diagnose.” The issue it seems was to determine whether my being on pain meds may have contributed to my daughters SIDS incident. The findings by the hospital was that she had reflux disease and after a modified barium swallow saw that she aspirated while swallowing and that there was nothing I could have done or not done to have prevented this and that my CPR on my daughter saved her life. Unfortunately she had been without oxygen so long that she sustained significant brain damage. She is now blind. The Dr.s told me that her surviving at all was a miracle, something like .05% chance of survival.
CPS worker reviewed the findings, came out to the house and looked at our home, took some pictures and stated that she just needed to close out her paperwork and find that there was no cause. One week later she called me to tell me that her supervisors boss, (NOT HER SUPERVISOR) wanted me to sign a medical release to get my medical records. Again I complied and ALL of my doctors told them that I was NOT groggy, I was coherent and my medications did not in anyway interfere with my abilities. Again the CPS worker said she would close the case with a finding of not r. She had informed me that she had also been instructed to interview my two older sons, who were at Vacation Bible Study when the incident happened but had refused since CPS guidelines stated that only those in the house at the time of the incident needed to be interviewed. After about a week, I recieved another call stating that her SUPERVISORS BOSS wanted her to interview my ex-wife. (Why my ex-wife??). I provided them with her phone number and she called to let me know they had called. They wanted to know if I had ever shown abuse to my two older boys or with my present wife. She told them that there had never been any issues when we had been married nor had my boys ever complained of abuse nor shown any signs of abuse and that she couldn’t speak of my current family life since she didnt live with me. She did know my kids loved their step-mom and that they were always eager to come over. Again I was told that this was all she needed and that she could now close the case and that I would be receiving a letter closing the case again with a finding of no cause.
One month went by with no letter. I called my CPS worker and left her a message on a Monday saying I had not received a letter. She called back on a Thursday and said the reason that I had not received a letter is that she had submitted it for closure and until I had called on Monday, had not recieved approval to close. Again her supervisors boss now wanted to know more information such as my wifes work hours, how long I was on the computer each day (????) and several other questions. At this point I said enough was enough and that if they wanted more information to get a court ourder, that they were now fishing for anything they could find to use against me.
At this time we were in October, 4 months since the original incident. Three days after that call, Avery -not her real name ( my daughter who was now 7 months old), started having seizures. We took her back to the hospital and she was admitted. After doing a MRI, a subdural hematoma was found on the right side of her brain. (Not the cause for the seizures as an EEG showed that they were coming from the left side of her brain.) The subdural hematoma had been there for at least a couple of days. It seems that a subdural hematoma in normal children is caused by a blow to the head. However the MRI showed that her brain had shrunk and pulled away from her skull due to the hypoxic injury she had suffered in June. That combined with her skull continuing to grow, according to the pediatric nuerologist would make her much more susceptible to subdural hematomas then a normal child. There is also the distinct possibility that as the skull grows her veins going to her brain could tear, causing bleeding. Also any sudden jerks could cause bleeding. Avery has very little control over her neck muscles and sometimes her head will just drop forward or backward. This has happened while undergoing physical therapy where it happened and she hit her head against the therapists head.
As it is,I was informed that subdural hematomas evidently have to be reported to CPS . In addition, without asking me they did a complete x-ray bone scan looking for signs of past abuse or fractures (which was negative). I was visited by the same social worker who was handling the other case who brought along an investigator, not for investigative purposes I believe, but more for back up since I was so assertive the previous Thursday about getting a court order. I found out that since this happened, since the original case wasn’t closed, now automatically becomes ‘undetermined’ meaing that this will always be on our record. When we brought Avery in this time, my wife’s mom, ( a retired nurse) was at the house. I was asked to provided her phone number and birthdate as they needed to do a criminal background check on her. Also they wanted my wifes birthdate since she was at home when we brought Avery in vs the first incident when it was just myself, my two year old son and Avery. We were also asked to sign a document agreeing to having some organization do a Safety Evaluation of our home. I have provided none of these. I now know that no matter what I provide, that this will be never ending. I do not understand how in the original investigation and accusation, once being answered was kept open for 4 months. Why did they need to contact my ex-wife? Why did they need to know my wifes work hours or the amount of time I spent on the computer? None of these had any correlation to the original complaint of possible neglect due to pain medications. Because of my disease, stress can kill me. In fact I have to give myself injections just to keep from going into shock when my stress level is very high or when I am sick or have to have surgery.
My energies need to be focused on my child, not with worrying about CPS. My little angels prognosis in the long term is unknown but other children who have suffered the same type of hypoxic injury have severe learning and physical disorders as they get older. I work daily with physical therapists, vision specialists, occupational therapists while taking care of my two year old. The costs are prohibitive but we sacrifice to meet them. These people seem to have umlimited powers and when an anonymous (if that is the criteria, theses people need to provide an verifiable name to CPS and an background investigation needs to be done either before or concurrent with the investigation of the allegations, to determine validity) callers allegation immediately makes you guilty until proven innocent, the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution is totally invalidated. I have the power to ruin someones life with just a phone call. I can have their children taken away just by accusing them of sexual abuse. I can make them undergo a life changing event if for some reason – I don’t like them, I have a hidden agenda, or for revenge, I can cause their children irreprable harm just by calling CPS. If this wasn’t America, you could change CPS to KGB with the same resulting actions and with the same result. This is a Police State organization who routinely abuse their power. Why hasn’t this been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?
Comment by Fighting for Our Child — December 3, 2009 @ 10:30 am
Has the topic of complaining about to the licensing state agency about a social worker come up?
I think it might be a good way to keep track of and punish those workers that are unprofessional. Their employer will likely not, but the agency that holds their professional license could or would. Is there a forum for this?
Comment by John Smith — February 6, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
John, that might work with some of the social workers, but we’ve found that most CPS caseworkers aren’t licensed social workers… so there’s no such agency to complain to.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — February 8, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I was just courious, what happens to those parents who have done everything theyve been told to do and then some. And they do get they’re psych eval from an M.A, that works for a psychologist and the person that did the psych eval is a lisenced mental health counselor, and Sexual abuse therapist, that has NOTHING to do with our case. We are recovering Drug addicts, and there was no abuse ever, but this lady is recommending we step down off of the legally prescribed medication we are on called methadone before our son be returned to us. Now my question I guess is, 1. Is she legally authorized to recommend such a thing?
2. If this medication is helping us be better people and change our lives in the positive and stay sober, why do they want this?
3. The psych eval states that they want us off, so in turn CPS wants this too, is there a judge in Wa. state who is going to require we do get off a medication that is helping us stay sober – and is legally prescribed?
PLEASE HELP me! I have a court appointed attorney who DOES nothing! I have been advocating for myself for 9 months now, and we are at weekend overnight visits with my son, and I go to court on Wed to ammend placement. But Im scared to death they are going to force me to get off of this and I am not ready yet. Sure I will be in the future, and I donnt plan on being on this medication for the rest of my life, but doing so now would be setting me up for failure. And if Im not sobver, Im not a parent. Plain and simple.
Comment by Debbie — February 21, 2010 @ 1:59 pm
can some one help me i am trying to post up a pic of my son and a story on how cps kidnaped him from me how do i do that ?
Comment by Denny — February 23, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
I wrote before, but apparently my message got lost. This is a wonderful website. Until I became involved in the nightmares of cps, did I know how many families were affected. My question: Almost every state is listed for help. We live in Wyoming and there isn’t a listing. How can fight cps.com help us. We go to court mid march. All the letters I read on this site has a little of our situations on it-mainly harrassment. I’ve written to the state office-big mistake the following week our little girl was gone. Bottom line: Need help in Wyoming
Comment by Patricia — February 23, 2010 @ 1:45 pm
Denny, I’ll consider posting stories or articles on the front of the site if …
1) They don’t contain names
2) There’s no self-incriminatory statements
Send to: webmaster at fightcps.com
Comment by LindaJoMartin — February 23, 2010 @ 3:35 pm
Patricia, child welfare services operates on federal law so it is pretty much the same in all states. The only reason Wyoming isn’t mentioned in the sidebar is that there haven’t been many stories or articles about that state. Still, all the suggestions are the same. Prepare your own case, write affidavits, and learn as much as you can about the system by reading this site and others like it. You can get more feedback at our message board.
Comment by LindaJoMartin — February 23, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
I have been through the ringer with cps. I hired 2 attorneys in the process and fired them both before it was over (they were not looking out for my rights and the one never showed up for court). I got my children back on my own.
They took my children and placed them in a foster home with 10 other children in it. My children tell some stories about their time in foster care but any ways what I am writing about is that I feel (and many others feel the same way) they took my kids for no reason and it shouldn’t of happened.
Beyond the fact that cps takes your kids for no reason (in some cases) but they put you on the central registry. I was placed on that list for failure to protect and improper supervision because I let my 13 year old cousin spend the night at my house and he had a criminal record for indicant exposure. When trying to tell them there was no way I could know that without my aunt telling me (which she didn’t) because he was a minor they told me that I should of known and there is nothing they can do they have to put me on that list. Now with that being on my record I can not go and help out at my children school or the fact that I just wasted about 2 years of my life in college going for a teacher.
I soon to be husband son was taking by cps in the state he lives in they want to give him custody of him but because me being placed on the list he doesn’t know if that will be the case he may only be able to get visits unless he leaves me.
Many states cps departments destroys lives. Mine is a great example.
Comment by IWishIknew — March 3, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
Dear Linda,
I just happened to come across this site (it was mentioned in my Social Welfare Policy textbook), and would just like to say that what I have seen thus far is appalling.
The very first comment that I read (posted by “V”) was well written and not attacking you at all, but rather stating that you are misinformed in some of your facts (which you are, by the way). And rather than responding in a mature and educated manner, you respond unnecessarily defensively, attack “V,” and kick her off of your message board simply for disagreeing with you.
If you are an educated individual and truly presenting accurate information here (not just your own misguided opinions/facts that you have interpreted in such a way as to suit your own purposes and needs) then it seems that you would welcome people who are misinformed, and would guide them to the appropriate information. This does not seem to be the case.
I am currently studying social work and plan to go into child welfare/CPS. I will be a part of the “very dangerous socialist based agency bent on destroying American families in exchange for federal ‘funding streams’.” Perhaps I will become “jaded and callous” until I am totally unfeeling toward the grief, desperation, and despair of people whose families I am destroying.”
Or, perhaps I will be sensitive to the people I am working with. Perhaps I will follow the ethical regulations of my job, and will do what is necessary to keep the families that I am working with together. Perhaps I will do what I can to keep the kids I work with safe.
Not all social workers are “ogres”, as you say. Perhaps you could direct your energies into encouraging more funding to go towards our child welfare systems (not just CPS), which are currently grossly underfunded, rather than spending your time spreading rumors and inaccurate information.
Respectfully,
A Future CPS worker
Comment by Future CPS Worker — April 20, 2010 @ 10:10 am
Future CPS worker, enjoy your rose-tinted glasses while you still have them. I know your heart is in the right place, but in an arena where families are being unjustly torn apart, children traumatized severely for life by being separated from parents they love, where children and their families are used to get money for counties, where children are drugged to control the trauma that CPS creates, well… truthfully, the karma of such a corrupt government operation is unlikely to reap happiness for anyone involved, and that includes the social workers. I wonder how you’ll feel the first time your supervisor encourages you to place a lie into a court document.
If you believe I’ve got misinformation on this site, please have a heart and provide a list of statements you believe are inaccurate.
…
A friend sends along this link for your perusal: Be Afraid. Very Afraid.
Comment by Linda Martin — April 20, 2010 @ 11:38 am
Gladly. I will point out only one for now, but let me assure you – there are many. I don’t have the time to address them all.
In the second paragraph of answer number three, you state that “CPS agencies profit not only from child detentions, but also from terminations of parental rights and subsequent adoptions. The funding doesn’t encourage reuniting families though CPS agents are told that’s what their job is for.”
CPS agencies do NOT make money based on the number of children that they detain, the parental rights they terminate, or the adoptions they supervise. In fact, it actually COSTS these agencies (and the state) money to remove kids and place them in out of home care.
It is a fact that there is currently more money allotted for services provided to kids AFTER they are placed in foster care, and that as a result there is less incentive to place them back with their biological families because there is not adequate funding to provide those families with the resources they need to keep their kids at home. Thus, placing them back at home simply means they will have to be removed again later.
HOWEVER – this does NOT mean that CPS workers simply go into homes looking for kids to take because they need to meet some sort of “quota” for the month. This is what you indirectly state in your answer to question three, and that information is inaccurate. Rather than presenting one-sided information, perhaps you should do some research and understand WHY certain things are happening. Kids are remaining in foster care because there is not enough funding provided to establish programs that would keep them from being removed from their homes in the first place.
FUNDING has a lot to do with the way the current system works. I understand that you have a problem with the system, and I agree with you – it needs to be changed. But rather than blaming everything on the CPS workers, look to the root of the problem. Start advocating for better funding for preventative programs that will keep kids out of foster care and with their families – not for the complete abolition of the entire child welfare system.
You can find more information about funding for child welfare programs here:
http://pewfostercare.org/research/docs/MurrayPaper2.pdf
And in the future, if you are going to provide literature for me to read, please be sure that it comes from credible sources.
Comment by Future CPS Worker — April 22, 2010 @ 10:49 am
Future CPS Worker – You are mistaken about the funding. It is absolutely true that CPS makes money through federal funding streams that start when children are placed in foster homes. Also the state dept. of social services receives a bonus when children are adopted out, and that is done on a per child basis after a quota is reached (per ASFA funding.) Also services are reimbursed from the Social Security fund. (CAPTA)
So what didn’t you find credible on the page regarding the drugging of foster children? Was it the videos of children telling how they’d been drugged, or the news reports?
Please take off your blinders and realize that if you start working for this horrible, corrupt agency you’ll be ruining your own life and the lives of children whose families you’ll be forced to destroy. What God has joined together let no man put asunder.
God makes families. CPS destroys families. Whose side are you on?
Comment by Linda Martin — April 23, 2010 @ 11:58 pm
I totally agree that there needs to be something done with CPS or as its called in the state of PA Children and Youth. I think the only people who post coments about how they are not bad and what would we do if they didn’t exsist have never had their family torn apart by CPS. These agencies have far to much power and no one watching what they do. They get away with what ever they want and receive no concequences for there actions. They will come into your home and take your children for many of the same things millions of people do in there homes everyday. So before any says anything about how some must be a bad parent to have there children taken think again. Something must be done to protect our families from these people who think they know how others should live. Just to add most ot the case worker don’t even have their own children so what right do they have to judge any parent. Sorry for any misspelling or grammar mistakes.
Comment by Bonnie — May 13, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
I have a question If you have a family member who freqently calls CPS on any one who makes her mad. She is a drug adict and has a Bypolar disorder (Sico Path). How do you stop this person from hurting inicent people and wasting goverment time on them instead of helping kids that really are being abused.
Help from Texas
Comment by Angel — May 13, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
Angel, if you know who is making the calls, and can prove it, you can probably take her to court. Look for your state’s mandated reporter law (in CA where I live, it is in the penal code, and I found it online at http://www.findlaw.com …) …the mandated reporter law will tell you the consequences for false accusations. Here in CA it is hard to prove because the person can claim she did it in “good faith”.. actually having real ‘suspicions’ of abuse.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 14, 2010 @ 7:02 am
I signed a plan before knowing I had the right to not sign it. anything I can do at this point to change it and go for trial? Can they force me to see a psychiatrist? No kids were removed.
Comment by John — May 18, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
Therapists made false statements at meeting. They are in case plan. Do I have the right to change therapiststs for my family? I do not trust the therapy agency.
Comment by John — May 18, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
Reply, if it is just a safety plan and you didn’t go to court, you may be able to rescind your signature based on feeling coerced at the time you did so. Ask the advocates on our message board if they have a sample rescind format you can use. Keep in mind that if you try to rescind they will probably take you to court.
If you’ve already been to court and this is a court ordered plan, you should probably just do it.
About therapists – you can hire your own in addition to the one they want you to go to. If the therapist is making false statements to the court you can find a sample form called “Objections and Corrections to the Report of the Social Worker” in our legal document library (see front page of this site) … just change Social Worker to Therapist and write whatever’s been written to the court that was wrong. Do not write anything remotely self-incriminating in one of these legal documents. Remember that anything you say can be twisted and used against you, so keep it as brief as possible.
Having your own second therapist will give you a witness on YOUR side of the case; positive reports from that person, or having that person in court as an expert witness may help.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 19, 2010 @ 7:05 am
To Future CPS Worker:
You said, “CPS agencies do NOT make money based on the number of children that they detain, the parental rights they terminate, or the adoptions they supervise. In fact, it actually COSTS these agencies (and the state) money to remove kids and place them in out of home care.”
Apparently thinking you know everything and being painfully clueless can happen simultaneously.
Please brace yourself for the following government data:
Cumulative Adoption Incentive Earning History by State
FY1998-FY2007
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/programs_fund/adopt_incentive_history.htm#2
Please explain this document. Don’t worry we’ll wait for you to slap on a new coat of synthetic ego.
Comment by masoly — May 26, 2010 @ 8:38 am
According to the case workers in Texas, the custody of my nephews was denied to my parents here in Maryland. The case workers mentioned a few of the lies they used for the judge to give custody to the foster parents. Now im calling them they dont want to answer phone calls nor emails. what can I do?
Comment by ISIS DIAZ — May 28, 2010 @ 4:31 am
Isis, I would go to the other state, take up residence there, file for an administrative hearing, contact the state legislators, and become a regular presence until Kinship Care rights were granted.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 28, 2010 @ 9:13 am
To future CPS Worker,
Good Luck in your studies, but I would seriously consider another field. I can tell you Money is made in the system it is called Job security and climbing the latter.
Texas CPS is abound with corruption right down to its toes to the top of the head. A good worker will not last for they see that nothing matters but politics and making the news and looking like a hero even when there is not evidence. I have seen children die as a result of these politics I have seen more children than not be medicated. If you think it is not a money maker think again. Foster parents too get a very nice sum monthly to keep children while all expenses are paid for the child the family will get upwards of 2k a months for a normal child and much much more for a troubled or adhd child. the therapist see the easy money so testify the way cps wants them to. records are changed and some even vanish. Wake up baby and smell some coffee
Comment by Former CPS Worker — May 29, 2010 @ 5:46 pm
I would like to add that if you or your family are faced with CPS attempting to infiltrate your life immediately get an attorney. Interview them fist. If you think you do not have the money sell everything. you may not realize how much you have in jewelry computers and tvs have a garage sale, do what ever it takes to get an attorney. They will screw up your children they will deny visitations split sibling groups and move them out of town all to make it harder even if family is around. They will make up lies.
And above all keep your mouth shut do not divulge information everything you have ever done or thought about doing in your entire life will be held against you. If you take any medication you will be labeled as emotionally unstable if you have beer or wine in your home you will be labeled a drunkard Get and attorney and watch what you tell them. Sadly in Texas it is common to hire people who sport gang tattoos as CPS workers and people who are known to use drugs because they have a degree and know people and are cute.
Comment by Former CPS Worker — May 31, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
what happens if they come to your house an d tell you to take a drug screen and you fail
Comment by michelle — June 10, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
Michelle, if you fail a drug test, they will probably put you on a service plan, or take your children and take you to court. Then if you plead guilty or if they can prove you guilty, there will be a court ordered service plan you have to complete.
Does this social worker have any proof you’re using? If not, you can refuse the drug test. If they have proof they’ll go to court to have you court ordered to take the test. If they have only an anonymous call, perhaps they won’t be able to do that.
In any case, I hope everyone understands it is dangerous to do drugs when there are children in the family because just this type of thing can happen.
Comment by Linda Martin — June 11, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Are there any statistics available that show which states have the most overzealous CPS workers?
Comment by US_anon — June 14, 2010 @ 7:46 am
There’s a link to national statistics in the right-side column of this site.
Comment by Linda Martin — June 14, 2010 @ 6:19 pm
HI Linda,
Big fan of your site. Keep up the good work.
My son was removed from my home and it took 1 1/2 years of court appearances and a great lawyer to get my son back. I was an honor student in college served 10 years in the military in the USAF and I do not touch alcohol or tobacco but they made me out to be a monster with false information in their reports to get me in their “programs.”
Please post this video on your site if you like it. It was similar to my experience in America with Cps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfVJplQQQx4
Comment by Michael — June 17, 2010 @ 7:06 am
I really think the thing I learned the most when dealing with Cps for 1 1/2 years is to say absolutely nothing to them and take the 5th amendment when dealing with any of them or the police.
Get the best attorney you can afford let him do the talking for you. The only people Cps workers fear is good attorneys.
In my case they lied about me in their reports. They made it sound like I was endangering children and “arrogant” etc etc. But it was all baloney to cast doubt about my character and to get my son and myself in their “programs.”
I was lied about in so many ways in their reports.
Do not go to Cps “meetings” alone.
Record everything they say and bring the best attorney with you and do not talk to Cps workers. They are doing their best to try to find something wrong with you to get you into their perverted programs and keep their pathetic jobs.
Most Cps workers are feminist women. If you end up going to court against them make them prove everything in their reports.
Most of the workers are too lazy to do the real legwork to ruin you. Unless you really make them mad.
Get a good experienced attorney and let him do the talking for you.
Record everything a Cps worker says to you.
If they make you goto one of their psychologists for evaluation make sure you pay and do a few sessions with a therapist or doctor to see what you are in for.
If you made a mistake admit to it to the doctor. Otherwise you are considered “arrogant” or you are thought of as “not learning your lesson yet.”
Cps is a business that runs on destroying families. The workers at Cps sometimes cannot get jobs in the real world so they take the easy route by becoming a government worker.
Comment by Michael — June 17, 2010 @ 7:26 am
CPS is on my buns…again. Saying court intervention is required. Im sure that the charges wont stick but in the mean time I dont want my daughter staying with strangers if they decide to take her. If I sign temporary custody over to my mom can they take my daughter from her?
Comment by brittany — July 9, 2010 @ 2:15 am
Brittany, see Dazeemay on our message forum for information about guardianship. She’s our expert. She is a grandmother who rescued her granddaughter this way.
Comment by Linda Martin — July 10, 2010 @ 11:58 am
I can not remember my login.. I have been away for 6 months do to something major. I need some help talking to someone about our rights and sueing alot of people including CPS.. The last 6 months have been a realy hard on my wife and I. I am back and it seems like I can not get any were with CPS. Please point me in the right direction.
thank you
Comment by Steven — August 6, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
Steven, I looked for an account using your email address at http://forum.fightcps.com – and there was nothing. So, you can use this email address to start a new account there.
Comment by Linda Martin — August 6, 2010 @ 7:16 pm
i need help i beleave my son was born with cerebral palsy but cps hide it i lost my son when he was 3 mos old and they by pastd me that was in 2008 i gave birth to ababy girl in 09 and they took her from the hosp and again by pastd me please i dont know were to trun i admitt i had a drugh problem but have been since they took y son i di evrything they told me to do like every other mom out there i NEED my babies please if you can please help me
Comment by christina — August 10, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
Christina, your case is too complex for me to be able to offer help or feedback. You need to see an attorney, right away!
Comment by Linda Martin — August 11, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
What can you do once OCS already has violated your rights, you childrens right and got your own attorney to do such to. Taken you kids placed them in an abusive foster home almost killed them and permenantly emotionally harmed your children and are now trying to terminate your rights knowing that in my financial condition I can not afford to hire real help to fight them nor to do what they want me to do. So they know they will win.
Comment by Heather Alone in Alaska — August 26, 2010 @ 11:52 pm
I dont know if this is the right place to go but here i am. I am downright enraged at cps! My husband has custody of his 9 year old, but THE MOTHER has another son who is 2 from another father. She is an addict both alcohol and drugs- but for some reason they think that since we have the 9 yr old (who is still required to visit her on standard visitation) he is in no harm but they can permanantly remove her 2 year old. Our case sounds completeley opposite of all these, What do you do when cps doesnt do enough? they say its because we have custody, but mind you friday, saturday and a whole month in summer what do you do about that?!?! We hired a lawyer and have kept him from her untill hearing, but this has been going on for years and just drags out… The CPS worker even invited me to a family meeting an hour away, i hired a babysitter and showed up only to be rejected at the door “because mother didnt want me there” I was under the impression this is about kids- not her. *****If it was they would want the woman who is raising her other son involved.***** I admitt at the beginning of my marraige 4 yrs ago i was niave and wanted to help her- but since then been threatened and harrassed and have had to hold my step son as he cries himself to sleep because he misses his mom who is laid up in a hotel high on meth and forgot about him again!!! I WANT THIS OVER!!! SO THE BABIES CAN HEAL!!!
sorry not a good speller, and i am very frustrated… the whole system is wrong~ Not to mention that CPS rules vary from county to county— and they already fired one man because he was sleeping with her.
Please comments good and bad~
~Conserned
Comment by April — August 27, 2010 @ 11:17 am
April – CPS has a “one size fits all” set of rules. They are looking for children to take from parents so they can put them in foster care, which is when federal funding streams start. The fact they don’t want to take your 9yo is to your benefit. Since they don’t want to involve that child in the case you should be celebrating, not ranting. If they did include that child in their case you would be in HELL with the rest of the families who have to deal with CPS service plans.
The place to take care of custody and visitation matters is family court, not CPS. I see your husband filed there which is the right thing to do.
CPS ruins nearly everything it touches. Don’t go there. Don’t call them. And hope they forget your name!
They want cute adoptable 2yo children. 9yo children are much harder to adopt out. They get adoption bonuses from the federal government. Get it?
Comment by Linda Martin — August 28, 2010 @ 10:06 am
Heather, all I can suggest is that you tell your side of the story in legal documents – declarations and the “objections and corrections to the report of the social worker”. Also don’t make any self-incriminatory statements of any kind.
Sample legal documents here: Legal Document and Information Library.
Juvenile court decisions are based on a “preponderance of the evidence” so collect documentary evidence showing you’ve completed your reunification plan (or as much as you’ve been able to) . . . and remember if possible get an expert witness to testify for you that your children would be better off with you. It would be good to give the judge photos of the house you have available for your children to live in.
I read your long posting, but decided not to keep it online here because it was too long and too much information to share with the public.
Comment by Linda Martin — August 28, 2010 @ 11:40 am
My Daughter is being hounded by CPS over her 4 yr old son, they suggested she take a urine test (before she picked her son up from his other grandmas house) who by the way is the one who called CPS on her, she decided to not go to do this and insted picked him up and moved out of state with me now, There was never a court order or warrant on her ..My question is: can CPS come and get them and arrest them? Plz help..this other grandma is wanting this child so Her son wont have to go to prison for not paying Child Support and CPS is believing her…PLZ Help..thx
Comment by BJ — August 29, 2010 @ 4:18 am
BJ, if there’s an ongoing investigation there’s probably a warrant out for your daughter already. If she goes on state aid they’ll probably be able to track her. Many of these fleeing parents are picked up after they have contact with law enforcement, for example, speeding traffic stops, or disputes with neighbors can bring LEO who will then perhaps find out there’s a warrant.
I agree on not taking a UA without a court order.
Comment by Linda Martin — August 29, 2010 @ 7:29 am
Ms. Martin, thx for u r response, she has talked to CPS and they have said there is no warrant on her, But, they are wanting MY address to have the CPS come here to check on her and child can they do this..This was on the second visit that they asked for UT, how can there be a case without this UT? Its all Heresay ???
Comment by BJ — August 31, 2010 @ 4:00 am
Let me explain, the other grandmother was just watching the child during the week so he could go to school, no one else has ever had custody other than my daughter, this was a verbal agreement only…so I find it hard to believe they even had a Case..they were trying to start one…thank you
Comment by BJ — August 31, 2010 @ 4:06 am
Website is not mine but very helpful in parenting technique. We had mostly allegations of neglect which were false but bc one of us had bad dealings w DHS as a child, we avoided them. Since then 2 physical complaints both lies. Only truth in any of it just struggle to keep house clean because of health problems one of us was born with. open case for about a year and a half. we have been told our case would be closed only to have another accusation come each time. No real evidence besides one bruise. Son was not purposely lying him and his father just play rough. Any suggestions kids still in home.
Comment by M — September 5, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
See http://www.nogreaterjoy.org for parenting technique. Read no greater joy volume 3 for using this method with cps visiting Also, was wandering I signed a case plan but accusations were either unsubstantiated or proved false. Was wondering if I can take the signature back because I felt coerced.
Comment by M — September 21, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
my friends advice to you. people who gone through cps should be taking notes, going for counciling, completing thier goals, taking extra parenting classes, getting your home ready, taking drug and mental evaluation test, even though if it would be a waste of your time, . baby proofing yourhome. and getting ready for the unexpected. have a job, hire a few babysitters, having some support, gather information, having faith in god, cuz he can give you alot of support, clear your mind, keep you strong, and give you answers, , if the parents try all this, this will help you, and your family, and you kids.. parents if you are facing injustice, if the caseworkers are being unfair to you, who have a more aggressive lawer than yours, i advise you to try writing down notes, be truthful to the judge, dont self inscriminate your self ever, wether you made the mistake or not. never say anything negative about your self. your the parent and you need to not let anything, or anyone discourage you. there is always a will to everyway, when people say you can’t, well guess what you can. anything you done in the past, such as petty stuff, take counciling, so they can see you came to your senses, they are all about tearing up families, not all. but do not let down your guard, anyway, if you lawer isnt aggressive, even if you have paid them, stand up for your self, your kids need you way more than the state does. listen up parents, what your going through is unfair and unhealthy, rember that age discrimination, race, and disable, even mental healh discrimination is unjustice. they should never use petty things against you. and give you little time, like less than three years. (ex.) 15 to 22 months. even procrasionate on anything. its not your fault. write down the complaints, that they put you through. you have no good reason to go through any of this. for thoses who lost thier children to cps, like termination of parental rights. we advise you to hire a detective, you would be surprised what they can find. rember where where your kids were born. thats imortant, to those who have lost thier kids SSI number, and their docs. their names are in goverment record.
Comment by clara — September 24, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Dear Readers,
I’m shocked – have you heard about the Oath Keeper Johnathan????!!!???? :oO
http://freekeene.com/2010/10/13/baby-cheyenne-repordely-bleeding-from-private-parts-in-government-care/
There is troubling news on this story. Johnathan and Stephanie went to visit their child today. Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but Cheyenne is reportedly losing consciousness, bleeding out of her private parts, and has not gained weight.
Update from the Free Baby Cheyenne Facebook Group:
Comment by Maryam Malakooti — October 14, 2010 @ 12:01 am
I’m living a nightmare and maybe you can give me some advice… this is a very long story, but basically I was in an abusive relationship several years ago, I was beaten so badly that I was unconcious for hours and later found by my (then 6 year old ) daughter. I vowed to never be in another violent relationship and I stayed true to that ever since. After a recent massive surgery while on morphene for pain ( the first time i’d ever taken them ) my husband and I had an arguement. The basis for the arguement was me and my complaining that he wasnt home with me to help out and basically acting very hard done by. In retrospect, I knew what I was getting myself into with the surgery, it was cosmetic surgery ( breast implants and lyposuction ). Basically he raised his voice at me for the first time ever and because my guard was so high from my experience plus the grogginess from the morphene, I called the police, I realize this was a mistake, but I cant take it back. The police came and I told them that he yelled at me, and they arrested him. This is the first injustice. They began to ask me if I had experienced any domestic voilence in the past, I told him I had but not with my husband. I explained what I had been through years ago, with the stitches, broken bones and being unconcious and also being found by my daughter. they then charged my HUSBAND with these things, he being basically charged with a hair short of attempted murder. I never once said my husband did this, although they took as statement about what I had told them and pinned it on him. I never signed anything, but yet they took a statement. None the less they arrested him and placed an Emergency Protection Order on him. The following day when I found out what happened I got ready to go to the courthouse to explain and have the EOP removed, as I was leaving, Child and Family services showed up at my house, I told them what had happened, then she told me I was lying to cover it up, she said she would interveen if I attempted to have the EPO removed. I did anyway, knowing full and well we are great parents, everyone who knows us know that very well. I have been a stay at home mom for the past 3 years and my husband is very successful stock broaker, we provide very well. The following day, the worker called and I told her I had the EPO removed, within an hour she showed up with an apprehension order……….. she took my children from my home and put them in fostercare. I dont know what to do. I have a lawyer but those child workers are unbelievable. Do you have any advice?? We have a VERY good lawyer, but still its a very slow process. My daughter even told the workers shes never seen us fight, we don’t drink, do drugs or smoke, and live around our children.
Comment by Ann-marie — October 19, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
Ann-marie, you can get feedback on your case on our message board.
Comment by Linda Martin — October 20, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
I find your site very interesting. I am one myself a CPS social worker myself.
Being on the other side, I can understand 100% your viewpoints on CPS. In fact, I know instantly that whoever made this website most definitely had a child removed in order to make a website like this. Anyone who hasn’t had involvement with CPS generally trusts us to do our job…that’s why they call and report suspected abuse and neglect.
You stated on the “What to Do if Child Protective Services Workers are Investigating You” part of your website the following: “In order to maintain employment, this child protective services social worker will have to take a certain number of children into custody… therefore when they are at your home, they are thinking to themselves, “what can I find out about this family to build a case aimed at taking their kid?””
Being a paid CPS social worker, I have to correct this. When I got hired, never once have I been instructed “We have to remove X amount of kids per year or we have to let you go.” In fact in a one year period I removed children from exactly one family. They were placed with their grandparents, as relative placement is always our goal if a suitable relative is available (and quite often there is). I know that each state is different, and in ours, it is expected that based on population, X amount of children are removed in each county, but that doesn’t mean our jobs depend on it by any means. I live in a rural area where relatives often will take children instead of placing in foster care.
On another subject that you bring up regarding calling law enforcement in stead of CPS…In one other more recent removal where the child did end up in foster care, guess who the referrer was? Law enforcement! Anytime an individual contacts law enforcement instead of us about suspected child abuse, we get called in, since law enforcement officials are mandated reporters. Sometimes we work together on the case, other times not, in which case only CPS is involved. It typically depends on the type of abuse/neglect reported and whether any criminal charges would need to be looked into.
I know there are social workers out there who are exactly as you describe…only there for the money. However, this can be said of workers of any profession. I wish it was different in all profesions, but it is definitely not the case. I always strive to work with families who have abused or neglected their child, and ultimately, they are the ones responsible for their actions (or inactions), even though CPS gets blamed…every time.
Comment by Sarah — January 22, 2011 @ 4:07 pm
Sarah, thank you for your comments. I’m aware that law enforcement officers are mandated reporters and will report abuse situations to CPS, but on principle I personally would choose to call law enforcement instead of CPS, in part because I believe overall the law enforcement officers are more capable of being able to make appropriate decisions. Yes, there are corrupt law enforcement officers as well as corrupt CPS workers, but that is the choice I’ve made in case I ever witness severe child abuse that needs to be addressed. Child abuse is a crime, and always has been. I find it unfortunate that most situations in which children are removed from their parents (by CPS workers) fall short of criminal activity. If no crime is committed why are the children removed?
Comment by Linda Martin — January 24, 2011 @ 10:10 am
Linda, the reason children are often removed when there is no “crime” committed is simply because if a child is showing the signs of abuse simply by investigating it you are putting the child at more risk for abuse. Not only that if you are saying that children should only be removed from places where a crime as committed you are simply asking the police to be a clean up crew for abused and dead children rather then proactively trying to stop the abuse before it escalates.
Comment by Social Work Student (D) — February 20, 2011 @ 5:01 pm
Social Work Student, are you aware that the federal statistics have shown that children are more often murdered, killed, and otherwise abused (including sexually) in foster care – and that they’re safer in their natural family homes? (My statistical research used a percentage of damage done to children in foster care versus damage done in natural family homes).
Also, did you know that a researcher at MIT compiled statistics showing that children are better off in troubled homes than in foster care?
One more thing – please visit this memorial for children who have died in state custody.
Please, do your research and then do the right thing!!!
Think this over so you don’t ruin your own karma by working for the abusive government child welfare agencies! Children should not be taken from loving parents to be placed in dangerous foster care situations.
Comment by Linda Martin — February 21, 2011 @ 12:57 pm
I was looking for information because im being investigated by CPS. They have removed my child and taken him into state custody with no proof of child abuse. My baby is epileptic and even thou i have them my family information so he could placed under there care they just took him to a foster home where i dont even now where hes located. All they tell me is that there taking my baby custody away from my husband and my self and dont now what else to do. I feel that all they want to do is break families apart and then expect you to be completely fine with the situation there putting me threw.
Can someone please help me. Im going crazy with out my baby home.
Thanks
Comment by Cirstina — April 21, 2011 @ 1:22 pm
Cirstina, please join our message forum for feedback and support: http://forum.fightcps.com … learn to write your own legal documents and collect evidence in your favor to present in court.
Comment by Linda Martin — April 24, 2011 @ 2:03 pm
Linda;
You make many assumptions about CPS and law enforcement. Your are correct that law enforcement assesses incidences based on whether a crime has been committed. CPS also use the same administrative codes as law enforcement. These codes are legislated by state governments and define abuse and neglect. I will assure you law enforcement will take a child into protective custody and turn the child over to CPS if their assessment of a situation fits the administrative codes of the state.
In most states, CPS does not have the authority to remove a child from a home. A child’s removal can only be done by police taking the child into protective custody or by court order. CPS role is to try to provide services to reunite the family. I can assure you many of the families that CPS works with are the same families law enforcement becomes involved with. There tends to be numerous issues in these family systems which require the children to be removed. Many law enforcement agencies work closely with CPS and CPS is not the “big, bad agency” you make them out to be. If you so desire to point a finger, you need to look at the family who is involved with CPS and law enforcement.
This is the first time I have been on your website and you spread a lot of incorrect information not only about CPS but also about law enforcement. You really need to do your research prior to making comments like you do on your website.
Concerned law enforcement agent
Comment by Police Officer, PHD — May 5, 2011 @ 9:49 pm
Law enforcement agent: I’ve been researching this for twenty years. Many families are being torn apart over extremely trivial accusations. You probably see only ‘worst case scenarios’. In my state and many others CPS agents use law enforcement as backup, but they’re the ones who detain the children. I am here for the families who are falsely accused, whose constitutional rights are not honored in juvenile court. Go ahead and find fault with me and the work I do if you wish. It makes no difference to me. I am glad you’re here on our site. I hope you read the many comments and learn how much CPS has devastated our country and the families it is made of. I hope you notice that children are being abused in foster care and that many are killed there. I hope you can see that CPS agents are not capable of keeping children safe.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 6, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Linda;
Again, I emphasize both law enforcement and CPS MUST abide by the statutes of the state that he or she lives. I have taken numerous children into protective custody. If a child is taken into protective custody; it is because the situation meets the definition of abuse or neglect as defined by state statute. I work closely with CPS and can assure you that children are being removed based on frivulous accusations. I have testified in numerous civil trials involving CPS and can assure you; the courts are looking closely at the evidence.
Your statement I see the “worst case scenarios;” I must tell you ALL child abuse and neglect are “worst case scenarios.”
Also, in most states, CPS DOES NOT detain children. In most states, state legislature has left taking a child into protective custody up to law enforcement. Law enforcement then turns the child(ren) over to CPS who in many states have a 72 hour period to be in court for an hearing. Therefore, if you want to blame anyone; it is law enforcement and the courts who are removing children.
The courts and law enforcement would not be removing children if the families we come in contact with did not have serious problems. As a law enforcement officer, I refuse to leave a child in a home that places a child’s health and welfare at risk of harm.
If you want to help the system; you would be better served in finding resources for families to address their chemical dependency issues as well as mental health issues. As a law enforcement officer and one who is a professional researcher; mental health as well as chemical dependency issues greatly impact the ability of a parent to parent.
Your assertion that families constitutional rights are being violated in juvenile court is ludicrous. During a trial, the state and defense call witnesses. The judge or commissioner assesses the information provided and then determines his or her rulings based on the law.
I have read many of the comments on your website. It is obvious you have angry subscribers who are upset with the system. Your subscribers are NOT telling the whole story. Your subscribers do not tell you how they become involved in the system. I emphasize to you that law enforcement, mental health therapist, schools and medical professional make the majority of CPS referrals. There is good reason these professionals are making these referrals. It is not because we have something against the family but because the family has serious issues that need to be addressed.
Lastly, CPS is NOT destroying families. Irresponsible, immature parents are destroying their own families. I have been involved in numerous cases where families who have made progress in their service plans have gotten their children back. However, I have also seen numerous families who have not made progress or were marginally compliant with the service plan not get their children back. This is not the fault of the CPS caseworker but the parent’s themselves. Please look at all the evidence. Again, as a professional researcher and law enforcement officer; the research does not support your accusations. I have been working in law enforcement and a researcher at a major university for 35 years.
Concerned law enforcement officer
Comment by Police Officer, PHD — May 6, 2011 @ 10:10 am
Concerned LEO: What state are you in? I feel you’re trying to justify to yourself your participation in the destruction of families. I can understand why you’re unable to face the truth of the damage you’re doing. It is called ‘denial’.
It is well-known that children are much more likely to be abused and even killed in foster care than they are in their natural family homes. Federal statistics have shown this year after year.
A study done by a professor at MIT shows that Kids Are Better Off In Troubled Homes Than In Foster Care. Professor Joseph Doyle wrote “…children on the margin of foster care placement have better employment, delinquency, and teen motherhood outcomes when they remain at home.”
Unless you can guarantee that a child will not be harmed in foster care (and of course you can’t do that) you’re taking a big risk by taking children out of their family homes where they are truly loved. Unfortunately it is the children who are traumatized for life and suffering, while you go home to a big dinner and a good night’s sleep, thinking you’re doing something good for someone.
What would be better would be to heal the family as a whole, rather than rip the children out of their homes and put the entire family through pure hell.
Wake up!
And as for the Constitutional issues: no jury trials, no opportunity to face accusers, courtrooms closed to press and public so atrocities can take place behind closed doors, social workers who lie and misrepresent facts in court reports in order to win their cases – and who routinely go unpunished for their perjury, lawyers paid by the county giving clients bad advice and no real help (conflict of interest, inefficient representation), violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth amendments, the fact that the entire federal child welfare system of laws are violations of the Tenth Amendment.
Again – I’m glad you’re here. I am here to educate people like you as well as help the victims of the traumas inflicted by well-meaning but ignorant “child savers”.
God bless you. May He open your eyes and heart to see the reality of what child welfare does to harm children and their families, and then may He bless you with the motivation to do something great and noble to improve the lives of the families you serve.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 7, 2011 @ 8:20 am
Linda;
It is obvious to me that nothing anyone says will be beneficial to help you understand how law enforcement and child welfare actually work. I am a professor at Harvard Unversity. You are misinformed and ignorant about how these systems work. I am signing off. I have nothing more to say to you nor do I have time to engage in your ludicrous propaganda.
Comment by Police Officer, PHD — May 8, 2011 @ 5:59 pm
LEO: You consider my concerns about constitutional issues and traumatized families to be “propaganda”?
Do you honestly think that parents whose children have been ripped from them due to trivial issues should get no feedback, no support, no compassion, and no information about the legal system that tortures them?
Wake up! You may have a great job but you’re still part of humanity, and that includes all of us.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 9, 2011 @ 7:22 am
ALL Information you can refer me too regarding CALIFORNIA, Guardianship to a Non Biological (Defacto Parent).
Comment by D Lake — May 10, 2011 @ 2:33 pm
My ex-wife accused me of messing with her daughter as to remove me permanently and not lose any of my belongings (she had absolutely none) and not have my complaint of her having my son to replace me, and it has worked in spite of ALL the evidence in the case showed I did NOT do it. The police still have my computers and camera in spite of the D.A. trying to hide it in my trial because it disproved their accusations. All the Actual evidence was suppressed because it showed their guilt and intent. The police refuse to do anything about the daughter sleeping with her REAL dad and my wife with my son. ALL the evidence I have came from them, I was locked up and had no way of producing any evidence at all so they chose to try me with simple (yet not possible) stories which were so off it was unreal. I ended up with a hung jury because actual evidence was suppressed. I will forever have this hanging over me and although they had to dismiss the charges, they can do it all over to me whenever they want. They KNOW the truth but choose to ignore it and leave the children in this position in spit of the PROOF, That’s Sickening !
Comment by Michael — May 19, 2011 @ 11:27 pm
I used to think that the truth mattered but I have been enlightened. Perjury ran ramped in my trial and there IS DNA evidence to prove the lies and yet nothing is being done about the truth. It is truley sad that this takes place in what I used to think was the greatest country in the world. Amazing that so-called law enforcement in my case is clearly self-serving and NOT concerned with the childrens true safety. The VERY SAME police that arrested me have now arrested the child several times for unlawful sex acts and yet she is still with her mother, and YES I also have those reports so It’s FACT that they know, but turn away….explain that ? “Sexy” photos on the net posted by her dad and some with him in them and yet he still gets his daughter for the summers even though It’s a matter of court records he is to only have “supervised” 2 week visits due to his molesting her ? How can “the law” allow this to happen when her own brother HAS made an OUTCRY to these people as to the truth? what third world country do we live in ? Where’s all these people who claim to be decent human beings doing their jobs? My mother is a police officer so I know that not all are liars, but I now know some who are…that’s for sure !
Comment by Michael — May 20, 2011 @ 12:32 am
a family member has threatened to call cps several times and finally made true of the threat based on false information, she is employed with cps therefore used that as part of her threat to report me as neglectful, there is no proof in fact i used to take care of her brothers child until she took advantage of me then became outraged when i would not be her free sitter anymore …. she went on to shove, come after me with a pan, and verbally attack me at a family baby shower …. months later it all came to a head when we got into a physical altercation and i defended myself, she claims i began the alternacation and she did not do anything, now cps is requesting a drug test based off her hearsay claiming i had my child and drugs in the vehicle when this happened, i allowed cps into my home hoping they would understand this report was made in retaliation, they traumatized my child and questioned him at school, my child told cps i yell at grandpa, and grandma and grandpa fight … now i am truely concerned and do not know how far cps will take this, any info is helpful, thx from texas
Comment by bella — May 24, 2011 @ 10:11 pm
Bella… please register at the message board for feedback on your case.
Comment by Linda Martin — May 25, 2011 @ 2:52 pm
I am happy i found this site. I see there are alot of good words here but yes i must say right now i have a open CPS case. i was looking and saw where you say CPS They lie and break their own laws, and codes of ethics. They twist truths and force families into un-needed, unwanted service plans, all the while dangling children over the heads of their parents. i am legally blind and have a little dyslexic my wife can not see at all but we had some one staying with us he was like a family member he did things to my little girl that was not right i think you no where i am going with this. they took are kids in FED- of this year. this is what the — JURISDICTION/ DISPOSITION REPORT said
The mother stated in 2009, the teacher thought nothing had happened. The mother reported the father confronted Juan l velez aka lee velez in 2009 and Juan l velez aka lee velez denied doing anything to xxxx. The mother stated rules were made where Juan l velez aka lee velez and xxxx would not have contact alone and Lee could not go into xxxx’s room. They came out in 2009 and told us that the findings were not founded and that was the only reason we let him come back and now there are saying we did not keep the kids safe . we have did 13 classes of Parenting Education Program and have are certificate for that. we have went to 12 of 13 clases of nonafender Sexual Abuse june 21 is are last class. we went to court on june 9 the judge wantes to see over night with the kids befor they come back and for us to call are case worker thats a joke she never calls back here is a letter we sent her —- THIRD LETTER —–
We have attempted to contact you several times. We have attempted to contact your supervisor but to no avail
We were very excited to hear that the judge recommended a couple overnight visits in order to get the kids returned home to us.
We would like very much to schedule a visit with you and the kids in order for this to happen. We have left #9 messages and #3 emails 2 letter VI UPS. We have left your supervisor So far 3 voice messages, we haven’t heard from you or her. We would like to get unsupervised overnight visits. We would like to start as soon as possible. We only have #1 more class to complete. We hope to hear from you as soon as possible regarding this matter I would very much appreciate it. i fill this is her way not to give us are kids back. i don’t no what to do we love are kids but we go back to court on june 30 and there are so far no over night to show the court — can you pl tell me what i could do thank you
Comment by TIMOTHY — June 18, 2011 @ 4:21 pm
i was looking on google for info to help me with whats going on. this started 3 years ago. i will start from the begining…. i was in love with a guy who was abusing me well in 2007 i had a wonderful baby boy i had my son live with me for a few months then i felt it was safe that my son live with my mother til i got outta my abusive relationship. my ex then start making faluse reports because i would not stay with him. my mother was asked to do a drug test and failed and my son was removed into care.i never knew she was doing drugs. i was depressed and black mailed into going back with my ex. as he did everything in his power to make sure i dont see my son unless i was with him. so i went back with him.we did parenting programs and everything without a fight for what the worker asked.then in 2009 i had a baby boy. i just gave birth and was feeding my son and worker walked in and removed him. i only go to hold him for 30 mins. they said because my other son is in care he would have to be to. i was no longer with the father when i was about 4 months pregnant. i even proved i was no longer with him. my oldest was in care for 2 years and they started saying he was high need and need a a family to take care of him and his brother. oh yea i have had 14 worker now since my file was open. whenever i am close to having them home they change my worker and have to start all over again. my last worker told me i had to complete this one program and thats all. wel now i have a new worker and now they saying i need alot more programs. i have been asking for months about if there is anymore things i need to prove myself. i am falling apart. i no longer know what to do. i am not asking for help all i am asking for is advice and points of what i can do. i love my children so very much.. i have trail in nov. thank you so much for having this site.
Comment by Jamie — June 20, 2011 @ 1:37 pm
Hello,
I am the parent of a boy with non verbal LF Autism. His long time pediatrician turned us in behind our back to social services because we rescheduled an annual physical. She also told them about us homeschooling him. This all started three years ago this month. Since then, he has been court ordered to attend public school, which he has been doing. We were court ordered a typical “service plan” that they give all parents of children they take away. Try to say their crazy and need mental health care so on and so on. It never ends with what they come up with to keep the child away longer and longer.
We have jumped through all of their hoops and complied with every single court order and have gone through two Guardian Ad Litems, the first one quit because he could not deal with it and this is our second caseworker. The first one we had lied constantly about us in all of her court reports and to everyone she talked to.
She stayed on our case longer than she was legally by DDHS policy, supposed to just so she could take our son away. Once she accomplished that, she quit her job to work for the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center. Talk about a hypocrite. . . . He’s in a horrible group home, where he does not belong, for over a year now because he missed some school in the year before this last school year. He has a safe, loving, home to be in, but they want to continue to warehouse him in a neglectful, loud, chaotic, broken down group home. He has SID and now he has SIB due to that group home. There are boys there who are screaming and screeching all day long and it bothers our child so bad that he will scratch up his back. He does not belong there or in ANY other foster care place. He loves and needs us and we love and need him. He shows us every time we visit him at that crappy group home full of flies and germs. He gets sick very easily and he has been sick the entire time he has been there.
They also neglected his hands which would get dry and crack and get infected. He has sensitive skin and they have been told this over and over again. They ignored his hands even though we told them about his hands and the infected cuts. He ended up getting Cellulitis in both hands and had to be treated at the Children’s Hospital’s Burn Center for 2 months and have his hands, which are everything to him, wrapped completely in casts. He has suffered so much due to that group home being neglectful, having no knowledge of Autism and their special needs, not having enough staff on hand, on and on and on.
They of course took no responsibility for what they caused, whether it was caused purposely or not. They are responsible for everything that happens to those boys who are supposed to be in their care 24/7. They are all Line Of Sight children.
His front tooth has broken off and been fixed four different times since he has been in that group home and yet no one knew what happened or how it happened. They also have safety code violations galore in that home and if you tell anyone in authority, they get revenge on you.
He has NEVER had any of those kinds of health problems or incidents when he lived at home with us. He would get sick from being at school, that’s it. Now he is sick all the time from living with 10 boys/men in that group home. I say men because they range in ages from 10-21. He has to share a room with 3-4 other boys which is ridiculous. Also because Sarah, the first caseworker court ordered him to have his own bedroom when he was living here at home. Now look, and SHE did it.
The magistrate refuses to agree that he should be brought home now. She always sides with “them”. The evil ones.
The court appointed lawyer doesn’t do much at all. Every time we try and get a new judge, GAL, caseworker, lawyer, we are talked out of it, or simply told we can’t.
We love our child and he loves us.
He missed some school one year, that’s it. They rip a child out of his loving home and away from his loving parents for over a year for that??? That’s INSANE.
DDHS/CPS is the devil. Bottom line.
They need to be stopped. Why are they allowed to do what they do? Rip families apart? Devastate and Destroy families and innocent children, especially special needs children who have loving, safe homes to live in.
A devastated soul because of DDHS.
Thank you.
Also,
No One on our case knows anything about Autism and they will not learn even when they are told by experts. They all refuse to listen.
Comment by Denise — June 22, 2011 @ 12:43 am
I found this site after it was to late but am fighting for our kids. We believe in spiritual healing and believe GOD will heal us from sickness. I have that kind of faith being Catholic. My son was born Jan 2 2011 our angel from heaven. He had a rapid heart beat and was boney looking for being 8lbs. He was pale as well at birth, I argued with doctors soemthing wasnt right, He went to Children Hosp in Pburgh PA. They released him healthy. I got pictures a month after he was born with our daughter that was born in 2010. He had a white blister type thing on his upper middle lip. It got bigger at 4 months, It fell off around 5 months. I didn’t want to take him to a doctor due to losing faith in them, I prayed to GOD when he was born he be ok. But in mid June His whole upper lip split in half looks a cleft lip, We put him upstairs in his swing for a nappy. I took him to the ER right away after i heard him crying and saw what happened. The ER said it was a cleft lip. And told us we needed a plastic surgery. I found him a baby doc here and took him. After a week the baby doctor finally reported it, Because baby doc wanted a home nursing lady to come in see him weight etc. After my mother came home and this home nursing lady told her private things like who she was to see and issues. I felt she violated the HIPAA LAW. I refused to see her. That was when CYS came in and had taken my son. But left our daughter. Week later they had to take my daughter. I am told sign this paper that paper.. Get this service and you will get your kids back, I followed everything they said. Now i got a paper in mail about child support for my son and another to terminate parental rights.. They said we neglected our son Serious Medical Neglect! He was found to be Anemic level 10.8 what doc said wasn’t bad He weighed about 11.4 oz and i read online all kids are different and some may weigh 10 lbs 18 lbs at 6 months. CYS says its failure to thrive. and we starved him (he ate 2-3 HRS 8 or 6 OZ. I already got a lawyer and will fight this. When they had to take my daughter i was so upset, I cursed and i was angry this lady was doing this. She faked cried but wouldnt look at me. She even stated to my family and myself she sees no abuse and sees our kids are happy. That day they had to take her i sent her to my brothers to care for her they werent taking her to foster care. I started having chest pain and stiffen neck. They called an ambulance. My BP was high. I don’t know if i can sue CYS and what ever else is happening. But i want my kids back. I am no longer signing anymore papers nor allowing programs. Thanks to this site it is helpful.
Also i know CYS said the baby doc told them only way his lip happened was us cutting his lip with a knife (ITS SICK!) We would never do something or even abuse our kids for that matter. But i am praying to GOD for help to get our babies home. Along with the help of a lawyer.
Thanks for this site its great and will DEF post this for others in my area SO they can learn before its to late.
Comment by PACPS — July 16, 2011 @ 4:02 pm
My nephew was taken by cps, my mom and i are currently trying to adopt him. There are some bumps on this path though. I just want to know if we cant adopt him and he is put with a foster family can cps make it so we cant have visits?? please help.
Comment by Tay — August 19, 2011 @ 9:55 am
Tay, if your nephew is adopted by a foster family they probably won’t allow visits. A few might, but that’s uncommon.
Comment by Linda Martin — August 22, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
CPS took my grandsons and kept them from the whole family for 10 days although I, one of the grandma’s with a position that requires background checks, etc, begged them to give them to me the day they were taken. We were not allowed any contact until court 10 days later (they called it a 5 day hearing) and CPS would not tell even my daughter what the accusation was against her. Now we have received an “unfounded” letter that we did not receive until after the last court date although it was written and mailed before this date. They told us nothing about this letter. We are at our wits end although we thank God that we do have the kids back with us even though they did not give them back to my daughter 100% and still did not tell us the imminent threat or the extreme emergency since they took them without a court order.
Comment by Pat — September 9, 2011 @ 6:07 pm
Linda,i belive every thing you say and know that CPS organization is all bull and they are around because they were voted by the republicans to run and control families who dont know any better. Abuse regardless of who it is should be handled by the local authority’s(peace officer).The foster care system is a major money profit because of these kids and the majority that end up in foster care are more abused by the system than thier false accusers,believe me i know a foster care parent that abused his foster daughter for years until she became pregnant with his child and the system did nothing because she was 18 years old and it was out of thier hands,when you turn 18 years old they abandon you off top,So yes i believe until you had a child and been falsely accused then you dont really understand and probably should’nt commet at all.
Comment by Rochelle — September 9, 2011 @ 6:28 pm
Pat, I know of a family that sued CPS after the children had been removed incorrectly only one night… and won. So you might want to contact an attorney to ask if you have a case.
Rochelle, CPS started with legislation written by a Democrat (Walter Mondale) back in the early 1970s. Also Democratic president Clinton signed the ASFA law in 1997. The fact is that CPS has been supported by legislators in both the Republican and Democratic parties. My opinion is that most legislators of both parties are corrupt at the federal level. We can’t say that just one or the other supports CPS.
Comment by Linda Martin — September 10, 2011 @ 12:52 am
HI. I am disabled. I have two wonderful boys. I keep them clean, fed, clothed, and well loved. My home is clean, although my living room often has a toy here and their before I pick them up.
If I need help, I have people nearby who help me. I have no condition of which is a danger to myself or my children.
Last week I called the police, for what was supposed to be a routine vandal/theft call. The officer asked about mental illness and I told him. I have PTSD, and mild-moderate agoraphobia… in compliance with treatment.
They came into my home, barged really, and took my kids because I have a mental illness. They also tried to say a piece of furniture that I could have easily asked a neighbor to help me remove(but they didn’t give me two seconds.) was a “hazard”.
From what I have gathered so far, protocol was not just breached but demolished.
The meeting is on Monday at 2:00pm.
I don’t have a lot of money… since I am on social security, but I am begging. Somebody, anybody. Please help me.
Comment by Stephanie — September 10, 2011 @ 10:40 pm
Stephanie, if you sign their papers in court it is the same as a guilty plea. If you want to fight it, request a full trial.
Comment by Linda Martin — September 13, 2011 @ 9:58 am
is it ok for a licensed foster parent who went to jail for hitting her husband many times in front of hers and the child being fostered? is this fair?
Comment by The 3Es... — October 27, 2011 @ 3:51 pm
1st if you have kids & no skills, no education multiple dad’s well that is not fault. You take our tax dollars and stay home those checks are your free ride. So if you want f/s & sec8 your not parenting your a problem. so dont take welfare and they wont know about you but must be investigated period. For they loose that right when not providing the above & deserve to be monitored. So i see section 8 dealing drugs/stolen property after 8-5pm is when they open up for business. i am sick of this toxic entitlement if you were and had been providing all the needs then your parenting would be private. but the foster parents just like the system sucking parents everybody getting checks instead of j.o.b ‘s so foster care is better then kids put in juvinelle hall to be protected when they are not bad so quick making babies you cant afford & do the right thing for the right reasons and not using your kids as your rent/food ect it upsets me when the parent is selling f/s for cigrettes or boyfriends beer makes me sick……i am glad that when you want the $ but not any follow up too bad thats the price. i dont hear u saying how after dpss is closed the boyfriends come over and sleep/others for you know you wont be caught at nite..i have seen enough of sick, sneaks & kids not protected from all of mommies boyfd’s everyweek living on there $$$
So dont have kids if you dont have earning skills for your just a poor role model sleeping all day &doing nothing to educate and work..if your reported & doing the right thing proof is in the paperwork daily activity so if your not your anger is for loosing your free $$$ &resenting a foster parent who gets your $$$. dont have kids if you cant afford them. if your kids get bad grades, behavior problems that usually a sign something is wrong at home but with mind and intimidation your secrets are safe with the kids even tho they are sadly afflicted by this sick behavior..dont behave badly & expect your kids to be well but kids will be acting out and they punished for it when you the parent are creating it… leaving kids in a home who get bad grades are in trouble so focus on that & help them perhaps you will get over being investigated for you have nothing to hide…. amen
Comment by madeline casey — October 29, 2011 @ 8:16 pm
Madeline, I hope you enjoyed venting at those less fortunate than you. Your comment reeks with ignorance about the conditions that the poor in this country are living with. Good luck with your narrow-minded existence.
FYI – a lot more money is spent on child welfare (Child Protective Services) than is spent on single parents collecting welfare payments. If you’re concerned about the country’s money drain, consider the many millions spent to take children away from good parents who love them.
Comment by Linda Martin — November 5, 2011 @ 5:41 pm
hi my social worker is saying i dont handle my son properly or wind him properly or dress him right, yet all of these things that i do wrong i have been taught by trained nursing staff on the neo natal ward as my son was 5 wks prem stopped growing when i was 28 wks and weighed 3lbs 4 oz’s when born and was very ill at 1st when he was born, so obviously the whole off that ward is teaching parents wrong ( yeah right), and she knows better, she wanted me to leave my windows open all night coz i have 2 kittens, im in a ground floor flat, it would be detrimental to my sons health in this cold weather as i live in england in the east coast, when i was asleep any cats could get in and smoother him like she worries about mine who r not allowed in my room due to my son being in there, if i got burgled it would make my home insurance nul and void and i am a victim of domestic abuse and harrassment which mean it would also make it easier for my ex to do stuff, is she simple or what?
Comment by rebecca m — November 17, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
and to add to this i am disabled with brittle asthma and osteoporosis she wants my house spotless 24/7 but turns up unannounced, after the 1st surprise visit she is supposed to give me appointment times yet thinks she is above that, she has had my friends kids taken from her coz she was ill and couldnt do as much tidying up as normal, which she has done without taking the right steps threats of my son being taken off me coz of how i dress and undress him r not allowed but again she is above this, im lucky y step sister ex’s mum is the head of child protection in the south of england near london and she is fuming about all of this so much so that she is making a compliant to her boss about my social worker, also i offer my son in every bottle 6oz’s but i refuse to force feed him till he is sick, i give him as much milk as he wants sometimes 9oz’s sometimes only 3 oz’s he varies at different feeds like all babies do no baby is by the book otherwise they would be robot, but at this she turned around and said its not what he wants but what he needs i.e force feed him, that to me is a form of abuse and defeats the object of trying to build up his weight as if i do so he throws up not only the extra milk i give him but some of what he had taken without problems, im a bad mother coz when he had a sickness and diarrhea bug his lost 1oz, yet they think i am now feeding him differently and properly in the last 2/3 days as he has now put on 8oz’s in 2 days yeah right again something that is not physically possible to do with a baby let alone even an adult plus 7lb 9oz’s to 8lb is 7oz’s not 8oz’s so thats wrong, they have also put on his growth chat that when he had put on 1/2oz he had lost weight then when he had lost 1oz he had stayed the same so they r fiddling his growth chart luckily coz they have wrote down is weights in lbs and oz’s i can get a nurse or someone to rechart it
Comment by rebecca m — November 17, 2011 @ 12:40 pm
I have a dear friend in Va. who was falsely accused of abusing a child. He was found not guilty & his record expunged. Child Pro Ser. put him on their Reg when the law requires that they say all action until after the criminal trial, and they did not. He remained on their Registry for 3 yrs even after taking them the expungement order. They are now saying his case had nothing to do with the Criminal Charges, but I have a letter from them where they founded him Level III naming the same child. I have asked why they had a file on him if not for the criminal charges, and they have refused to answer since Oct. Could you please offer some advice. We’re considering filing a suit in federal court for what they’ve done to him. They’re putting him on their reg. kept him from being reinstated to his firefighter position he had worked for 19yrs 9mos. The City has refused to provide references to anyone he’s applied with. What they’ve done is so wrong.
Thank you for any advice you could offer.
Comment by Hilda E. Davis — December 17, 2011 @ 6:27 pm
Hilda, in some states it is almost impossible to get off that blacklist. All I can do is refer you to the laws: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/registry.cfm
Comment by Linda Martin — December 18, 2011 @ 9:32 am
look ive been in and out of CPS for 12 years now. i hate them, but at the same time thay do help a lot. i only hate them because they never go away NEVER i have lost a lot of friends and family because of them. but they got me out of a really bad place. now it seems to get bad but i never want them around again. ive seen too much of them. my mom and dad were wrongly acussed and it should of never happened. but at the same time im glad it did it just made my mom and dad split and it made the bond with my little brother and sister stornger. before i was always like the mom no one was ever there just me and i was only 5. so yes sometimes there good but they NEED to check the facts a little more and look in to things a little more then they do
Comment by angel — January 24, 2012 @ 4:24 pm