Can Dcfs Interview My Child Without My Knowledge

Shannon is a social worker, counselor, and Child Protective Services professional. She offers the insider's perspective on how CPS works.

I am a CPS professional and this article is based on my experience in my state and region. CPS practices vary state by state, city by city, and county by county. For relevant information, look up CPS in your region. These are my answers to the ten most common questions I've heard while working for CPS. Knowing these answers can give you insight into the reasoning behind the policies and help you navigate the system.

Things Everyone Should Know About CPS

CPS is legally obligated to investigate every report, even false ones. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Below, you'll find a discussion of reasons why a report might go uninvestigated.
CPS can meet with your child without your permission. Although this might alarm you, there are very good reasons for this policy, which I explain below.
You do not have to let CPS in your home—even if they ask nicely.
You have rights. Below, I list the most important to keep in mind.
The investigation process is designed to be thorough. You may be asked some very "nosy" questions, and I explain why below.
CPS can't test you for drugs without your consent, but there are also many great reasons for giving consent.
CPS does not want to remove kids from decent situations, despite what you might believe. There are no bonuses or quotas to fill.
CPS can help you. They have access to a long list of tools and resources to help improve your home situation.
Cooperating with CPS is probably the smartest and most beneficial thing to do in the long run, for you and your kid.
CPS workers are people, too. It's best to remember that their ultimate job is to help, not hurt.

1. CPS Is Legally Obligated to Investigate Every Report

You may have heard it before, and it is the truth. CPS is legally obligated to investigate every report it receives. However, there are instances where they do not investigate or the case is closed without investigation. This typically happens when there is no real foundation to believe that there is abuse or neglect occurring.

Why a Case Might Not Be Investigated

For instance, a report is made that a 14-year-old boy is being left home alone after school. If the child does not have any special needs and is not causing any damage to property or otherwise putting himself in danger, it would appear that the child is a normal high school freshman with no risk factors. Therefore, this case might be closed at intake because no real neglect is occurring. On the other hand, if that same report states that the child has Down's Syndrome, the report will likely become an investigation.

Types of Investigations and How Long They Might Take

Investigations might range from one conversation with a parent or foster parent to a full investigation. In any case, if the report makes it to an investigator's desk, they are legally obligated to respond to it. This is not a policy; this is the law. Case response time is 24 to 72 hours, depending on the case. Some factors, such as screening and routing, can take slightly longer. In general though, a case will get a response within 72 hours. Responses range from seeing the entire family to seeing just the child or speaking with any person on the case. There may also just be unsuccessful attempts to contact someone.

Even if you're being investigated, that does not mean that a parent will necessarily be contacted within 72 hours. A parent may not be contacted for some time after a case is initiated. The person who reports the case to CPS is sometimes contacted prior to action and sometimes not contacted at all except to receive a letter giving the ruling on the case. The letter only states the ruling and gives absolutely no details on anything else.

What About Ridiculous or False Claims?

It does not matter how ridiculous or false a claim may be. When an investigator receives the referral, they are legally obligated to investigate. Even if the child, parents, witnesses, and ten other unrelated persons insist that something did not occur, the case must still be completed. It has to be. That is what an investigator intends to gain from an investigation: the truth about what happened.

One of my favorite quotes from a senior investigator was this: "We go out to disprove an allegation as much as we go out to prove it." When an investigation is received, they have to look at it, gather evidence, then make a ruling or determination. They cannot take the word of one single person, even the child. They have to look at all evidence. If an allegation is false, the best thing for you to do is give the investigator every resource to show that. Tell him or her why you think someone reported and what their motivation might have been. Investigators do consider this and want to hear it.

What About Reports Made Repeatedly by the Same Person?

It does not matter how many times a report has been made by the same person or for the same thing. CPS is still obligated to investigate.

However, there are systems in place to keep you from being harassed by a reporter or by CPS. For example, let's say that you have been reported for physical abuse of your child and you completed an investigation. If the same reporter calls in with the same allegations a week later, with no new incident to report, the investigation may be closed without you even knowing it was reported. The ruling would be that it had already been investigated. You may only receive a phone call or you may receive nothing.

If there are new alleged incidents, the case may be investigated again. If this occurs, say, four times, and no evidence is found, they can start to close these without investigation. However, it's important to know that it does not always happen this way, and you may be investigated for the same type of allegation from the same reporter many times. It all depends on whether new information is given in each new report. Good investigators will speak to the reporter and attempt to determine if they are doing this for reasons other than concerns for the safety of the child. Just because you are being reported doesn't mean you are guilty. Investigators do not assume you did it when they receive the report.

Trust me when I say that when a CPS worker receives a large amount of reports on the same allegation by the same reporter and it's clear the motivation is something other than the welfare of the child, we know that there is an ulterior motive. Sometimes we have a long talk with a reporter about making false allegations, the consequences for doing so, and the unnecessary stress they are placing on a child.

"We go out to disprove an allegation as much as we go out to prove it."

— Senior CPS Investigator

2. Can CPS See My Child Without My Permission?

The simple answer is yes. The longer answer is CPS will usually attempt to see your child before they talk to you. There is a simple reason for this: Workers want to talk to the child before a parent or foster parent has the chance to tell them what to say (at best) or threaten the child with consequences of disclosing abuse (at worst).

Also, if the child has any bruising or physical evidence of abuse or neglect, the investigator will try to get to that child before the evidence is gone.

What If I'm Falsely Accused?

If you are reading this, you may be upset because you have been falsely accused. It's understandable to feel upset, but you should also remember that some parents are not falsely accused and it's important for CPS to reach those children before there can be any intimidation or coaching by abusive parents.

If you consider this an injustice or a violation of your rights as a parent, think of the child who is being abused. That child might disclose the truth to a worker if they are interviewed prior to contact with the parent, but if a parent is made aware first, are they not going to intimidate, threaten, or further harm the child in order to ensure the child does not disclose this abuse? This is why it is likely that CPS will try to see your child at school, daycare, or another setting before notifying you. The rules for this may vary in some states, so check your rights in your own state. In many states, you can look up the laws and policies of your child welfare agency online.

What If I Don't Want My Child Interviewed?

If you do not want your child interviewed and an investigator comes to their school, you can tell them no. You can even have something on file at the school stating that no one is allowed to interview your child without you present. Once you have stated to a CPS worker that you do not want your child interviewed, they can not conduct an interview without a court order or "exigent (emergency) circumstances."

3. You Do Not Have to Let CPS in the Door

CPS has no special right to enter your home without your permission, and you can say no to them. Workers do not have a right to obtain search warrants. You can be cooperative with the investigation without letting an investigator walk inside your door.

What If CPS Shows Up at My Front Door?

You can open the door and allow them to look inside and still not allow them to come in. Workers should ask you before coming in your home. If you say no, they cannot and will not enter. If they do enter, you can contact the police.

What If I Let CPS Come Inside?

Once you allow CPS into your home, you can ask them to leave whenever you like and they must comply. They cannot look through your drawers or search your home unless you give them permission to do so. Allowing entry to the home does not entitle the investigator to go through your medicine cabinet. They may look around and see what is visible to the eye, but they must ask permission to open a drawer or the refrigerator.

4. You Have Rights

Parents and alleged perpetrators have rights. Ask your worker about those rights or research them on your own. If you get a surprise visit, you can ask for time to look up your rights. You have more control over the situation than you think. For example, you can say to a worker, "I'd like to talk to you in a few days after I've looked over my rights."

Can I Ask for Time to Review My Rights?

In my particular county in my state, CPS hands over a booklet outlining the parents' rights when they see them for the first time. If you receive any written materials, you can ask for time to review them. You can contact or consult with an attorney. If it makes you feel more comfortable, do it. In most cases, a few days will not harm your case. It is better to cooperate as much as you are comfortable with in the beginning.

5. The Investigation Process Is Designed to Be Thorough

So you have been accused of not supervising your child, and now workers are asking you questions about drugs, alcohol, pornography, and whether you've ever had an abortion. They asked your child if anyone had ever attempted to touch them inappropriately and if they have food to eat every day. You feel like CPS is investigating your life from the inside out. What is going on here?

In a sense, they are investigating your life from the inside out. Workers screen children for all types of abuse or neglect, regardless of the actual allegation. Investigators will ask questions about the allegation, but they will also ask broad, general questions about all types of abuse and neglect. The reasons for this should be obvious. If the allegation itself is false, but Mom and Dad are doing drugs in front of the child, the child is still at risk and CPS needs to know that.

Mom and Dad are going to be asked some general screening questions, as well. They'll be asked about their own childhoods and habits, whether they have financial problems or had domestic violence in old relationships. These questions help a CPS worker determine several things. For example, is the family in a position of high stress? Does the mother or father show a pattern of behavior? Is there a long history of violence, sexual abuse, or incest in a family? CPS wants a complete picture so that they can identify if a child is at risk, and also to see if there is anything CPS can do to help that family, since that's a crucial part of their job, too.

What Happens If They Find Something Else?

There are many times when the original allegation is not what the investigator found to be of the most concern in the family. For example, a physical abuse allegation may lead investigators to discover that no physical abuse is occurring, but that there is domestic violence between the father and his girlfriend. In the end, they may ask the father to attend domestic violence classes even though this was not what he was reported for.

This is a sticky subject. CPS workers can drug test you, but they do need your consent. They cannot force you to take a drug test since they do not have the legal authority to do so. They will not notify you that they are going to drug test and they will arrange for the test in a short period of time. There are certain counties or states that will drug test every person in every case. You can be drug tested no matter your age and your children can also be drug tested. There are a million rules that govern this and all kinds of different rules for each situation. You should know what those rules are and know what your rights are.

It's in Your Best Interest to Take the Drug Test

The way you react to being asked to take a drug test matters. If you refuse, you can be court-ordered to take one. If you are court-ordered, they will take a nail scrape, a hair follicle, or some other type of test that looks further back into your history, and you will be required to take this test. So you can not "fool" a test or change the results by refusing, delaying, and requiring that a court order be gotten to buy you more time.

What Happens If You Refuse the Drug Test?

If you refuse a drug test, the investigator will assume that you are using and act accordingly. This is important to know. People who are clean rarely refuse to take a drug test, even though it does happen. In fact, they are more likely to demand a drug test to be cleared of the allegation of drug use than to refuse to take one on principle. You can refuse on principle, and I've seen it happen. However, it's not a good idea. Just take the test.

If You're Going to Test Positive

If you are going to test positive on a drug test, tell the investigator before you take it and discuss what will happen. Positive drug tests do not mean automatic removal of your children. It may mean that they have to stay with someone else for a while, but it does not necessarily mean your children will be put in foster care. Every situation is different. Be honest and talk to your investigator. They will not be shocked. They will not overreact. They deal with it every single day.

7. CPS Does Not Want to Separate Families

I have heard many things about CPS and removals. I've heard ridiculous things, like they have a quota they must reach for removing children, or they get bonuses for removing a child. I will speak for myself and say I'd rather do anything than remove a child from their family.

First of all, when a child is removed, a CPS worker has just guaranteed themself an extra 50 or so hours of work. There are many things involved in a child's removal. It is not pleasant and they do not want to do those things. They have enough work and do not want to make more for themselves by removing your child for reasons other that the child's safety.

Workers do not get bonuses, perks, or anything else for removals, and there is certainly no quota. The policy is to do everything possible to avoid removal. You may not see those policies or notice what's being done to avoid removal, but it's true.

Why Did It Happen So Fast?

It may happen very fast. You may feel that they have walked in and snatched your baby without a moment of thought. While those feelings are understandable, it simply does not work that way.

It doesn't happen that fast for us. Remember that CPS likely began the investigation before approaching you. There are cases where the situation is so dire that an emergency removal is necessary based on very limited but devastating information.

Removal vs. Placement

Removal is different from placement. If you have been asked to place your child with family or other types of kin, your child has not been removed; you have voluntarily placed your child in another home while you work some type of service or control some different factors.

Removal will involve a court order from a judge either prior to the removal or within 24 hours after. You will be asked to attend court hearings and you will get an attorney. If this is not happening, you have not had your child removed. Plus, if your child has been legally removed, you can still place them in a relative or kin's home. Foster care is absolutely the very last resort and the ideal is to not have children placed in foster care. Any other viable, safe option is very much preferred. Plus, removal does not mean that you cannot ever have your child returned to your custody. The process for permanent, non-voluntary termination of parental rights is very, very complicated and takes 18 months or more.

8. How CPS Can Help You

CPS can often be demonized. People who are being investigated can feel like CPS is there to harm them, tear their family apart, pry into their lives, and embarrass them. Parents feel harassed and invaded. I get it, and most CPS workers understand that you feel this way. They would feel this way too if it were happening to them. While it's CPS's job to investigate claims, they can also help you.

How Can CPS Help Me?

CPS has access to massive amounts of resources and social services and can provide you with tools, materials, and concrete resources that you want or need to help your family work better. Ask your investigator about anything you need, from diapers or food to a new home. They will get you resources if there are any. They may recommend things for you and you can request specific things as well.

CPS is there to help, whether it be getting a child out of a dangerous situation or helping a parent gain skills or resources. The goal of any investigator is not to harm your family, but to improve it. That being said, they don't have limitless resources and they may not be able to fully meet all of your requests. But they will try. Helping families is my favorite part of my job.

Helping families is my favorite part of the work that I do.

9. Why You Should Cooperate With CPS

I said that you should cooperate with CPS, and there is a reason for this. Cooperating almost always works to your benefit. If you don't allow your child to be interviewed, it is natural for us to wonder why.

Won't the Interview Cause My Child Emotional Distress?

I have heard every reason for why parents do not want their child to be interviewed. The most common is that they fear the interview will cause emotional distress. However, CPS workers are trained in interviewing and screening children. They are professionals at it.

We always make an interview as simple and easy as possible for a child. Most children do not find it remotely stressful and actually enjoy the interview. Workers may provide them with coloring books or other playthings to ease the mood and make the child feel more comfortable. I have spent a full hour of pre-interview with a child doing nothing but putting them at ease before asking them a single question.

CPS is in the business of helping children, not harming them. They do everything they can to make children feel more safe. If a child finds the interview too distressing, the CPS worker may end the interview for that child's sake. Most of the time, though, children have very little emotional reaction to an interview and express no distress at all.

What Happens If I Don't Let CPS in My Home or Take a Drug Test?

CPS doesn't always have to come into your home. If you refuse when they've asked to come inside, they may assume you are hiding something. This happens to workers fairly often, so it is not as severe as not allowing a child to be seen or not allowing a drug test.

However, if the allegation is that your house is a hazard to the child and you do not allow entry into the home, CPS will assume you are hiding something. If the allegation involves people who may be living at the home or any concern for the home environment, CPS will assume you are hiding something if you do not let them in.

Not opening the door on principle happens, but it shouldn't. CPS isn't interested in going through your underwear drawer. They want to make sure the home is safe. As I said before, open the door and allow us to look inside and see that you don't have trash piled to your ceiling or dog feces all over the carpet where your baby crawls. Just looking around can be enough. If it is not, CPS can obtain a court order.

What If I Don't Cooperate at All?

It is possible for you to be completely uncooperative. If they never see your child, your home, you, or anyone you know, then there is very little they can do. This, however, can be a very large red flag that something is really wrong. I suggest that if you do not wish to cooperate in any way, you contact an attorney and have that attorney talk with us.

My experience has been that if there is no cooperation, a lot of things are very wrong. CPS may just go away for now, but when families have problems, CPS tends to get involved more than once. If you're not hiding anything, it's better to just cooperate. CPS can close your case a lot quicker and easier if you show us that nothing is wrong.

10. Workers Are People, Too

I add this statement because I stand by it as the number one thing I wish people would consider. CPS workers are just people. They are highly trained and educated people, but they are still just people. They make mistakes. They miss things. They go home to their own lives. They are doing their jobs. They are regulated and well-supervised. They aren't doing anything as personal vendetta against you and they aren't judging you in a personal way.

"It Is My Job to Be Hated."

CPS is full of people with thankless jobs that don't pay well and require a massive commitment. They have hobbies and dreams and goals. They have feelings. They often have their own children, their own problems, and their own pasts. They are simply people who have chosen to dedicate their professional lives to helping families and children.

I often say that "it is my job to be hated" because it is incredibly rare for anyone to welcome a CPS investigator into their lives with open arms and loving kindness. Mine is a profession where you have to get used to the idea that most of the families you encounter consider you an enemy. We know this and we can handle it because we know we are doing the right thing.

How Did CPS Begin?

Prior to the CPS, in 1853, The Children's Aid Society was founded in order to respond to the problem of orphaned or abandoned children living in New York City. For the first time, rather than allow these children to become institutionalized or continue to be homeless, the children were placed in "foster" homes, typically with the intent of helping these families work their farms as a kind of slave labor.

In 1874, the first case of child abuse was criminally prosecuted. The case has come to be known as the "case of Mary Ellen." Outrage over the cruel brutality of the case, there was an organized effort against child maltreatment. Finally, in 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt convened the White House Conference on Child Dependency. This created a publicly funded volunteer organization to "establish and publicize standards of child care." By 1926, 18 states had some version of county child welfare boards. Their purpose was to coordinate public and private child related work. Issues of abuse and neglect were addressed in the Social Security Act in 1930. This provided funds for intervention on behalf of "neglected and dependent children in danger of becoming delinquent."

Partly funded by the federal government, Child Protective Services agencies were first established in response to the 1974 CAPTA. This mandated that all states establish procedures to investigate suspected incidents of child maltreatment.

Most Common Reasons Why CPS Is Called


Reason	Description
Vindictive family members and ex-partners	Many times a family member or ex-partner is belittling or consistently posing a threat to the health and well-being of the child.
Severe neglect	Some children are left alone without anyone to take care of their needs.
Severe addiction	Sometimes a parent or partner is so addicted to drugs that they neglect or abuse their children.
Severe abuse	Unfortunately, there are still many many cases of verbal and physical abuse against children in the U.S.

Does a CPS Case Go on Your Background?

No, a CPS finding is not a criminal conviction; nor is it available to the general public. Even if you are appealing it, a CPS finding will show up on your DSHS background check. A CPS finding permanently bars you from any work or volunteer position giving you unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults.

What Happens When CPS Is Called?

When CPS receives a report or tip, it must first determine whether or not an investigation is needed. A caller does not have to be certain or have proof of abuse or neglect, however, reasonable suspicion is required.

What CPS Must Consider Before It Registers a Report

Identity and Location: Can CPS identify and locate the child and family being reported?
Age of Child: Depending on state law, CPS usually only investigates cases of children under 18 years old.
Jurisdiction: Does CPS have jurisdiction? For example, California CPS has jurisdiction over cases where the abuse happened in California. California CPS also has jurisdiction if the abuse happened in another state, but the child now lives in California.
Person Legally Responsible: Is the abuser a parent, legal guardian, foster care provider, or other adult responsible for the child's care? If not, CPS does not have jurisdiction.
Allegations: Does the alleged conduct constitute abuse? If CPS determines that the alleged conduct is not abuse, then there probably won't be any investigation.

What If CPS Determines That There's Abuse or Neglect?

If CPS determines that there may be abuse or neglect, a report will be registered, and then CPS will begin an investigation. CPS will most-likely also make a report to the police. After this, the police may conduct their own investigation (the investigation will usually occur within 24 hours of a report).

CPS will take the following steps:

Interviews: The caseworker will either call or visit your home to interview you, the alleged perpetrator, the child, or other members of the family or household. While the caseworker may want to interview your child alone, they are usually required to record the interview.
Examinations: The caseworker may request medical or psychological examinations of your child to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred.
Explanations: Within a reasonable time, usually 24 hours after all interviews, the caseworker will explain to you the allegations against you or another family member, and allow you to explain the circumstances of any injuries or safety concerns.

How Do I Get My CPS Records?

You are able to request your CPS records if you were in foster care or if you had ever had a case open with Child Protective Services about you being abused or neglected. There are no costs for you to request your records. That said, you must still be an adult to request your records.

Steps to Requesting Your CPS Records

1. Write a letter to DFPS

2. Fill out the Request for Case Records

3. Make a copy of your Identification card or Driver's License

4. Send the letter and Request for Case Records

5. Wait for confirmation letter

6. Request update

7. Review records

Disclaimer

The views in the following article are those of the author and do not reflect those of any other person or entity. The advice listed should not substitute that of a legal professional and are not given as legal advice. Any examples are purely fictional. The following is of personal opinion and should be read as such. This should not replace any legal or professional advice obtained. I encourage anyone who is seeking advice on any subject involving Child Protective Services to seek the advice of a legal professional.

Sources

American Humane Association, 2004, "Helping in Child Protective Services: A Competency-Based Casework Handbook"
American Bar, 2008, "A Short History of Child Protection in America"
EducationStateUniversity.com, "Child Protective Services - HISTORICAL OVERVIEW, CURRENT SYSTEM"

Important: The views in this article are those of the author and do not reflect those of any other person or entity. This advice should not substitute that of a legal professional and is not given as legal advice. Any examples are purely fictional. This is personal opinion and should be read as such. This article should not replace any legal or professional advice obtained. I encourage anyone who is seeking advice on any subject involving Child Protective Services to seek the advice of a legal professional.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Bre on August 25, 2020:

Can they tell you that you cant leave the house like go somewhere movies zoo things like that?

Tina Murphy on August 15, 2020:

And cyfd does lie, they straight lied to the judge right in Front of me thier liers BE CAREFUL RECORD EVERY SINGLE WORD AcTION EVERYTHING CAUSEB THIER LIERS TOOO.

Rachel on August 01, 2020:

How long dose a case take if it's not that serious an how many visits

Concerned grandma on July 31, 2020:

I've always been concerned with not enough CPS involvement. Today, I see all these people complaining about too much involvement. I believe there should be a lot more digging into parent's backgrounds. Homes with toys on the floor, dirty handprints on the walls, messy kids' bedrooms are not a bad thing. It tells me that kids are allowed to be kids. I'd be suspicious if everything was in its place. Parents that are that strict, are not good parents. Maybe not so bad that it screams for CPS involvement, but still! Any child that has bruises as a result of punishment, is not being punished. They are being abused. Verbal abuse is as bad as physical abuse. Their poor little mind is screwed up...maybe for life. I had to deal with a man that verbally abused my adult daughter for 2 months. I left that state, and when I got across the state line, I pulled in and got a motel room for the night. I feel to the sidewalk and kissed the ground, I was thankful for being away from him. I cried so hard the clerk thought I was suicidal. Now, my granddaughter is having to visit him for weeks at a time. She begged not to go....she refused to get in the car, much less on a plane. I asked her if he hit her, and she would say, he's just so mean. He never listens to me, he never lets me do what I want to do. He says I lie about everything. He says the "F" word at me. That all just changed. She actually hit him, and he took his fist and hit her in the head. He left a knot and a bruise. I know this is the first time he has put his hands on her, but the verbal abuse was so bad.....she just refused to go visit him. I honestly don't know what will happen with this, but I hope they take it seriously and listen to her. The verbal abuse was more than i could take, and I was 62 years old when it happened around me.

Teresa Godoy on July 27, 2020:

How long does it take to transfer a cos case from one case to another

Alana G on July 24, 2020:

This article is pure propaganda. CPS workers may not get bonuses themselves, but they are funded based on caseload so have great incentive as an agency to investigate as many cases as possible. They also are not there to help you, but primarily to "substantiate" a finding placing a person on a child abuse registry for life. Substantiation has to do with how easy it is to prove the thing happened and nothing to do with whether or not a child was in objective danger. Thus, it's likely that a parent who let their kid play outside unsupervised for a few minutes and admits to it will be placed on an abuse registry. Wheras someone who is horribly sexually abusing a child but doesn't answer the door for the CPS monsters will not even be investigated. If they come after you, get a lawyer and don't speak to them without legal counsel. Source: I work at the state dept. Of public health AND my family has bee investigated and substantiated over a 15 minute lack of supervision claim. It completely destroyed our lives. These caseworkers don't have any idea how the data they enter into their system is used against people. It is basically a criminal record never looked at by a judge. No due process. Again, just get a lawyer well versed in CPS cases and do not answer the door. I believed all this crap about them being there to help and that seriously they couldn't make a minor difference in parenting style into a real case, but they can and they do. And now I have PTSD from the experience and will never trust social workers or any other mandatory reporter again. And our child didn't even come close to being removed. It still destroyed our family in many other ways and cost almost $20,000. This agency and their brainwashed caseworkers are evil.

Jerrilyn Hill on July 18, 2020:

Can cps open a case without a report , just on the basis of them FEELING Im not being cooperative in another case that does not involve my children. But , a relatives children.

Jack on July 18, 2020:

Been dealing with this for 10 months. Daughter tested for 10 months. Went on a Fri vs the Thurs once and denied 3 months visitation. She has not been allowed to see kids in months. She was the one being abused get she is the criminal. TX CPS main goal is to adopt kids out. The state gets a lot of money from the federal government. Instead of programs to reintegrate they are going everything to adopt to the grandparents. Grandparents are being paid to foster and get paid to adopt. Her CPS worker reports positive tests even though there is a valid prescription. Took over 5 month to get classes scheduled and tells the judge she isn't completing her tasks. One cannot begin classes if the worker forgets to submit paperwork allowing to complete. They even scheduled a hearing get left the parents out of the loop that there was a court hearing. This was to plan parental rights termination. Lawyer, case worker told her day of and that she did not need to attend. Fire the lawyer that has done everything to help her case worker friend vs her client, denied. This whole case reeks of a set up. From what I have seen, Most CPS workers are heartless an s serve the best interest for them and the state, not the children. CPS should use all the tools in their arsenal to help and reintegrate not right out of the gate seek parental right termination for minor between husband and wife spat where children were not even present no charges filed. CPS needs a 3rd party oversight, clearly defined rules and procedures.

Engaged Citizen on July 17, 2020:

This is a pure propoganda piece. If you are criminally charged, legal representation is as must and a right. CPS allegations and investigations carry the same weight as a criminal investigation, all the while you are supposed to "comply" and obey. CPS is no joke. They are not our friends or guardian angels they would like us to believe. The workers are people. They have chosen this profession out of all the ways to make a career. Do not treat them any other way than is professional and responsible. Know that any misstep or words taken out of context could be you losing your kids out jail time. Many of us have thankless jobs.

Are you congratulating every farmer you run into? How about factory workers? Or even teachers? No one thanks CPS because their service is not needed.

If you have an investigation get an attorney. I know they are expensive, but in order for your best interests to be had, you have to have one. Do not listen to this propoganda.

Yesenia Gonzalez on June 20, 2020:

Hi my daughter is bipolar and she has two boys I am her caregiver and I also help her with her kids my grandson got really sick in less than 24 hours so I took to one hospital first then they told me he was ok to go home and I noticed that he kept throwing up all night and diarrhea were he got really dehydrated so I took him to another hospital and there was like 10 docters working working on him he got from bad to worst in hours so they asked questions about his medical history my daughter when she had him got the baby blues plus was of her meds so she needed to go to the hospital to get stable and I'm not the legal guarding so I wasn't able to take him to get his shots so now there saying my daughter neglected her baby and that she doesn't show affection to him first of all they don't know that also they said she slept Alot she takes abilify and it makes her drowsy so how does make her a bad parents

Tony on June 11, 2020:

I am almost done with my Case been Seven months done drug classes completed done domestic violence classes completed butI have two months left so I could close my case and get My rights back Missed a drug test so they marked it as positive what will happen

Inez on June 07, 2020:

I am terrified of childrens services i havent even gave birth yet and already on my case i told them it is stressing me out. They ring me everyday and text that they need to speak to me! It was my partners probation who rang C S because we had a domestic 6 years ago we got back together 2 years ago and alls well. I dont want to engage untilbaby is born im scared they wilk take my baby away please someone advise what i should do its scaring me

Angelina Jones on June 06, 2020:

The truth is these criminals(yes they eventually process them too) are uneducated social outcasts that don'nt give a damn about you.Many were employed off the street giving out your personal information such as what your physical address so, they are desperate to keep thier looser shit job.You ca"nt rely in them for shit.They do the opposite of what they are supposed to and are paid terrorists.Oh well the cops will enjoy banking on their crap once they get false charges such as kidnapping.No one could pay me enough to do thier loser shit job.

Richard Driver on June 04, 2020:

IN most cases, DCS workers act like gustopo agents then dcs workers, they try to intimidate people and the children. threatening parents, they can do this and they can do that. Older citizens? they come and question them too, I was asked this question once, I'm 69 yrs old. am I abused? The representitives left MY residence by MY incistance. escorted to thier vehicle By me with my orders never to return, then called thier office and promised legal action toward any who ever came back and questioned me as to MY Well being.

Mindy Gwinn on May 28, 2020:

im a grandparent that got reasons of finding for neglectful supervision, as of today I have not got my findings letter which is dated may 13 2020. how come I have not talked to cps at all. I'm not a investigater and don't know how this works but as a person who is accused of something that is going to effect them for 27yrs. i think someone should of called me or sent me the allegations against me. not to mention my address was reported. my other thing is how come 2 kids were in report, one is only by my name.thats strange to me.

douglasstrongjr on May 26, 2020:

If a cps worker knows the parent and child have a place to live and it's family but also heard our living arrangement does that person have to leave with out any evidence of the parent doing what the family member accused them of and do they have the right to kick the tenant out with out an eviction process and make the parent and child homeless and give. The cps the right take the child from y parent with out the the eviction process being placed yet did the parent have to leave that home right then and they took the child too because that was the only place they had at the time to live was it wrong for that to happen not going thru an eviction yet and the claim for them removing the child was only for being homeless

Doretha Taylor on May 17, 2020:

Cps i am under investigation, with my 13yr old son and seventeen year old daughter , Mom , Me went to the mental ward cps placed my kids in the care of realitive . My son is the one at risk for being taken. He was in the home , but never seen what i did . Heard only . I am at risk of losing him

Daisy Ortiz on May 10, 2020:

Hello i am from California, I have six children that where taken by CPS for physical abuse which was not done in my presence. I am the mother but the physical abuse was done by my fiancé will he took care of them. They're where only two of my children that apparently got the belt on 2 occasions and had some bruising. Can CPS take all of my kids even if only 2 where bruised. I am asking not because I think is ok in any way but because for my understanding i have 3 moths to get my 3 month old baby back or she would be put up for adoption and the case worker wants the case to last six months. Even when my fiancé moved out of the house now she is stating that the children disclosed more information about how they where tried. But my main concern right know is not losing by 3 month old. I am doing parenting classes that i looked up my house is big for all my children they have everything they need here and more when cps come to my house they saw that the house was clean, big and that there was more then

enough food for the amount of children i have.

Mickey Hart on April 26, 2020:

CPS came to my son's home.Was real friendly. My son had spanked his son n the but and left a mark for 3 days, then gone. Momma reported it, took pict. My grandson having much trouble in school having the classroom evacuated bc he throws, large objects, hits, kicks, bites, and pulls hair of teachers, aides, students, parents, principal. Inventions in place, IEP, psych etc. He got suspended one day and was very bad at home. Hit my mom (85 yo) broke glasses, charged my son 2x, biting, kicking, hitting , and put his fingers n eyes. Second time he spanked him which immediately stopped the behavior. He apologized to his dad, said I love you and all was done.

CPS worker heard story, took notes. Told my son," It sounds like you stop a potentially dangerous situation and accordingly." Few days later he gets a SUBSTANTIATED report in the mail. Also putting him on the CACI child abuser index, pending hearing. Original CPS agent removed from case? really? Got a copy of his report and DID NOT say anything about why the spanking was administered, just that my son admitted to the spanking.

What to do when the CPS agent is omitting pertinent info. (My son has this in a declaration under penalty of perjury that it took place this way).

Kaleah Carter on April 26, 2020:

I am disabled. Upon arriving at my home , Cps officials walked around and took pictures of my homwithout my permission

Stepfanie Branstetter on April 25, 2020:

So my question would be how do u start with a far case aug.30,2019 you never talk to the far worker in person or via phone untill sept.30,2019. You go in the office sign the referrals for these two programs they want to refer you to so go in everything is great no complaints or worries out of the far worker... So you though until the nightmare happened oct.7,2019 they take your baby from school and cps said no parent capable but when asked for the 90 day founded or unfounded letter on abuse and negect or maultreatment you get told you dont get one cause you dont have a case then how can cps have your kids when offering you all in home services

Alanna on April 18, 2020:

My father made a fake allegation against me to get back at me for calling Adult protective services on him....my brother came to live with me and my two daughters (he's a lil autistic and 32 yrs old) because he was living with my dad since my own parents got divorced 17 yrs ago...he moved fromCA where my dad was to live with me in NY. He told me he had to get out because my dad drinks and smokes pot excessively and he was drinking with him every night wasting his life...my dad is also experiencing memory loss and almost set the house on fire...I called APS when I heard About my father's irrational behaviors and he was mad they investigated....He's paranoid I called Them to "steal his money" which makes absolutely no sense. I called Because I wanted Him to move back to NY so me and my bro can keep a closer eye on him...Anyways when he spoke with them he told me "he had to get even with me" and I have Him recorded saying he lied to them and told them I'm an alcoholic and my older daughter is malnourished and that he has witnessed me abusing my oldest daughter! He told them a story of when we were on vacation in VA beach and he watched Saya get slapped across the face because she asked my mother if my dad could work days instead of nights to be with us more...I told Him that was me not my daughter! And that was in 1996! We were the kids not my own kids! He said well he got confused and the point is he did it cuz I went After him and he doesn't care if he lied he had to teach me a lesson! He even gave my mothers DOB in the report cuz he's so confused he thinks the report he made is against my mother (cuz he hates her so much for leaving) not me! He thinks he's in 2001! And they came made me and my bro do a drug test, saw all the food in my home, spoke with my ped, spoke with their teachers, got their medical and school records, I did Everything she asked and she said she would start closing the case after the next home interview but she said that twice before and then each time asked for something else, first was "I'll close the case after one more visit, then I'll close the case but your bro needs to do a drug test, now it's I'll close the case but we probably need one more visit" wtf?! She found that I'm a great mom with great kids all drug tests were negative the kids r honor roll there's tons of food in the house...and I gave Her the recordings and texts of my dad saying he lied to get back at me....y is this case still happening?!

Ed on April 07, 2020:

What if cps is called on someone im residing with and i have a child that lives there to and yhe call was made over an ear infection and the dr wont see the child because of the Corona virus any answers

Anna Richardson on April 02, 2020:

Hi my name is Anna I find it untrue I jumped through hoops before they peeked and after they were in the worker had it out to remove my kids even I busted my ass doing what I should it still didn't please her the fosters cooked up a skeam on lies to end visits the worker who did tramper station said when she took them back both parents come here honey did they hurt you oh I'm sorry that was my last visit and we did nothing to deserve it. What can I do

Julie Kennedy from Knoxville on March 28, 2020:

My children were taken from me on March 13th for supposedly some allegations that my doctor had said or send any report to a DCS worker I have two recordings from my doctor apologizing to me and told me he was sorry I had to read the report court report about what was said he said if you did make a report but it wasn't to hurt me or my two children it was to get my son some help and he never mentioned that I was not safe with my children I don't know what to do and I don't know who to turn to I really want my kids home they've never been abused or neglected

Emily on March 16, 2020:

@Cheyenne dorr

I am heartbroken along with you. Praying for you tonight and ongoing.

Cheyenne dorr on March 15, 2020:

My daughter was grabbed from me a a little over a week ago. I moved back to cali from ok here in march and i came to go to school. I have never been homeless since my daughter has been alive. Well that changed in dec i have no blood family here. Anyways i was i. This relationship turned south he kicked me on the curb with my things and called the law on me. In that split second i made a desicion for my daughtet to reside with him till my sister made it to het her. When i found out she couldnt make it i retreived my daughter. Im being accused of leaving her with several people. I was recieving treatment in santa anta on a 72 hr phsyc eval. I have been diagnosed with severe depression. All in which i was in neweport on the streets. Theres a papertrail saying i was there with multiple witness including officers. They came and took her from the half a million dollar home we live in now saying im a flight risk and showed hesitation....she was just fine eating a snack living her life happy. Now there saying shes traumatized....well yea you snatched her from people who adore her. For accusations that are completly untrue. Sucks when your helpless. And you didnt even do the things they said you never even talked to these people. They talked to your ex who lied.im an amazing mother who loves her kid and didnt want her to be in the cold on the streets. The officers that day said i was be responcible. Im so bothered and lost and heartbroken my poor sweet baby is probably so confused why she cant talk to her mommy.

Amanda snapper on March 08, 2020:

Okay I have a big question my five month old son was recently abused and CPS is care with the people that they set him with wow I'm currently trying to get him back he I went to go visit him and this Friday I found bruises all over his back unexplainable for 5 month year old and on his bottom but now I called the supervisor and they took pictures and everything but they won't tell me anything else but other than that and I don't know if they took my son back to the people that he was staying with I'm very concerned I'm scared for him and I can't do nothing about it they won't tell me anything is there any way or anything I could do about this

Joel Sanford on March 05, 2020:

Reality check to this article, the very idea that child protective services is not in it for money or dividing families is a laugh it's like saying police don't create money for the state by pulling you over and issuing you a ticket. The truth be told DCF or CPS does want to divide the family in America. When they divide the family it causes court orders to be sent out giving legitimate reason for their jobs to exist . Just as it gives reasons for judges to exist and for all the other crooked laws that have been pushed off of our original bill of rights or constitution that we the people have allowed those people to corrupt. If you are raising your children in a proper manner no person has the right to intervene in the raising of your children in any shape or form that they see fit to blackmail their way into your household. Just as it gives reasons for judges to exist and for all the other crooked laws that have been pushed off of our original bill of rights or constitution that we the people have allowed those people to corrupt. If you are raising your children in a proper manner no person has the right to intervene in the raising of your children in any shape or form that they see fit to blackmail their way into your household . It's laughable reading about how child protective services can interview you were a child without your consent the fourth amendment is the law of the land they have no right to go to legally search or sees you or persons in your home without a warrant that's the law of the land which is superseding state law.

Now I'm sure there's someone out there that will get their panties in a bunch because ultimately they work for the system that is being propped up by their blindsided Waz now I'm sure there's someone out there that will get their panties in a bunch because ultimately they work for the system that is being propped up by their blindsided Ways . they can't get past not earning a paycheck doing something honest versus causing turmoil in peoples lives and making families hate one another or rip each other apart while they call it earning a living. Righteousness is so clear . It's only the blind who believe they are doing good for "the state" over pulling their own selfish "needs" to earn money and rob a retirement from the tax payer that need to justify these actions. It's like a parasite needing a host .

Learn from history folks look at Stalin look at Hitler look at people that backed the state in allowed them to take so much control in the name of security while giving up their human rights !

Mandee on February 27, 2020:

If i argued with my bf and the cops were called, but the kids werent involved, can cas still interview me?

cant tell you on February 25, 2020:

so what is a safe living household for a child

Ann on February 19, 2020:

CPS is a lying sack of shit. You do everything in your power to separate kids from their families. You steal children, and yes you get money for removing kids and even more when they are adopted out. You all are sacks of shit!

Jenny on February 19, 2020:

Can cps take my son if the father has his 3 other kids in foster care?

Carrie on February 18, 2020:

All you need to do is tell them you're contacting your attorney and that you are exercising your 4th and 14th rights under the constitution. Do not let them in your home without a warrant signed by a judge. CPS IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. THEY WANT YOUR CHILDREN!!!

Jessica Gonzalez on February 16, 2020:

I just want my kids back but their saying im in a domestic violence

Nichole on February 16, 2020:

So my ex has a CPS case open FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE will they make me test the case if open on them noth3to do with me

Jason.watkins on February 13, 2020:

What are your questions at North If

elementary school

Ann60 on February 07, 2020:

What do I when cps does not even go out and investigate

My grandchild has witnessed her mother attacking people with knives been beaten and locked in rooms alone etc

Bianca on February 04, 2020:

Okay so ive been through cps /foster case has been closed since july of last year and foster care worker text my phone do i have to follow up with her or do i not have to reply cause i sure as hell dont wanna nor am i

Johnathan Bell on February 02, 2020:

I got a home it my sister man home I got to get out fast

Ramona Violette on January 30, 2020:

It's a question that I cannot find an answer to. A person rents a home. Mate & pregnant 16 yr.old move in. This person (moved in) doesn't pay any of the rent ,etc. & is not on the lease. Said person has mate arrested on warrent for not paying fines., then files a pfa.This person also has a warrent from a different borough, so arresting; fficers did not know. This person was also turned in for warrent on traffic violations ,is not arrested because 16 yr.old daughter is there (not on lease either.Person (not on lease has been served an eviction notice refuses to leave . This person hit mate first & threw things at mate , broke glasses. Person assaulted first was defending himself , but is the one that got pfa. Doesn't CYS (Pa.) remove child from home when arrest is being made ?

CMarieFly on January 30, 2020:

WOW! Seems the people who hate CPS fail to take responsibility for themselves and what they do - or have no clue they are not good parents. Whenever someone spends an hour calling out the other person, it's they who are the most guilty. My ex had CPS investigate because our daughter fell and had a black eye. Sure, he was angry at the insinuation, but later understood why CPS exists and got over it.

I have a neighbor who in my opinion, is a horrible parent. I've considered turning in a report on her, but she too would just get angry and turn everything around so she makes herself out to be a victim. She is incapable of understand right from wrong, so why bother sending someone to tell her how wrong she is. SO many of the comments here do the same thing - THEY are the victims, not the kids!! I wouldn't work for CPS for all the money in the world - too many really stupid people out there that just don't get it.

Personwhohasbeenthroughit on January 28, 2020:

You are a liar. States and cps organizations receive more funding based the number of children they remove or put into foster care and are thus encouraged to seek reasons to do so. Investigators will lie to you. They are not your friend and cooperation or not they are at your home for one reason. That reason is to create and overexaggerate situations, anything really to claim that you are guilty. Example: Investigator could ask you if you ever raised your voice with your children, in which case if you answer yes, they will put that you admit that you constantly yell at your children. If they were to ask if you had a gun in the home and you tell them and show them you do an that it isnt loaded, is in a locked case with a trigger lock, the only thing they will put in their report would be along the lines of "Parents keep firearms near children". Innocent or not you will be forced to comply. Judges will not stand against cps nor will any other organization stand up to them once you have been accused and will be hesitant to do so even with evidence of your innocence. Cps has done far more harm to families than actually protecting children from actual abusive situations. They will ignore your rights and play dirty every step of the way. Research for yourself because I never believed any of this too until we had to go through it because of someone we made mad making a false report on us. Cps in every state and country are monsters. Do not cooperate and lawyer up immediately if you find yourself in the crosshairs of these people.

Gina unknown on January 27, 2020:

My 10 yr old daughter and I have been homeless for almost a year. We have been sleeping in our Chevy Tahoe. She takes showers at my son's, or our other friends. We're mostly at camp grounds where there is running water and bathrooms. My daughter goes to school everyday. She gets a good night sleep. And she eats dinner every night. Can CPS take my daughter from me because we are homeless?

Chyna d on January 27, 2020:

Ok if cps came into my home in sept 2018 and supposidlry came up poditive on a swab and he immediately made me place my child in a family members home on a safety but 30 days later closed. Wasnt i supposed to get my child back?

If the investigator supposidley still frlt that my child was in danger and plan to keep him or her on safety and force me to enroll in fbs ir threatened tocomplety take my child wasnt the investigator supposed to provide a court order of my assesment and wasnt i supposed tobe in front of a judge by now reviewing?

Ive had my child taken away for the last 5 months without a cpurt order and maling me take substance abuse anger management parenting og yea making me u.a while a nurse stands in front of my genitals fCe to face to make sure i dont tamper with it while everyone has there privacy..I dpnt know i have a very strong feeling i was supposed to get him back when i received letter and case was closed..that ivr been lied too..humiliated..discriminated..all my parental rights violated. My son is 3 and disabled crts every time i see him like hes being punished and tells me i love ypu i love i want to go home wuth you all for nothing..Im getting a attorney today and im suing tf out if this investigator and case worker that i never see..i knew something wasnt right thry just had me so traumatized with taking my bBy id do anything to keep that from happening..plz tell me that im right there us supposed to be a court order and seeing this attorney today will bring my child home..

Anonymous on January 27, 2020:

Ok back in sept cps cane into my home for false allegations..supposidley i came up positive on my swab so immediatkey had me volintarily place my son on a safety plan with my aunt. So here i am waiting and i get a letter from cps saying my case was closed due to unable to determine..So if it was closed wasnt i supposed to get my child back right then and there..

I understand if the investigator still feels like there is a threat in home and decides to stay with safety thrn isnt he or she suppise to provide me with a court order with assesment from judge and reviee every 2 to 3 months

Concerned taxpayer on January 27, 2020:

I have been the VICTIM of a false report. Do not tell me you guys don't work on "commission". There are enough money trails running from the fed to state to cps in every state that shows CPS gets HUGE payouts for "legally abducting" kids. On top of that, parents are forced to pay child support to CPS for "legally abducting" kids.

In my case, the investigator put her lies in writing. She claimed she was at my residence 2 separate times and nobody was home. I work from home and am here 90% of the time. The other 10% I run errands. Both times listed in her report as being at my house, I was home. She just did this because the 3rd time allows her to bring the police. Strange, I was home when the police came with her on her "3rd attempt".

CPS is a scam. Nothing more. My daughter, who will admit she was never abused in my care, was raped while in CPS care. CPS destroys lives. "Investigators" don't investigate. CPS is a rabid organization bent on making money at the expense of destroying families.

Screening of foster families is pathetic. My daughter ended up in a family of VERY sick people. They were selected simply because they had taken in another member of their family. No other background was needed. Their son didn't look at my daughter as a "family member" and he didn't care about anything accept screwing a cute little preteen girl. Needless to say, nearly 6 years later and I am still dealing with the abuse my daughter endured while in CPS custody.

Workers should be ashamed of themselves for what they put families thru all for a buck. I lost a business and nearly lost my home as a result of CPS lies. My daughter will forever live with the scars CPS left on her. The true criminals are being paid by taxpayers. You all need to go to jail.

Tina kisling on January 23, 2020:

CPS. THEY DON'T HELP FAMILY THEY RIP THEM A PART

Andrew Starr on January 23, 2020:

Cps is unconstitutional and they are funded through social security, they DO want to take your children and will go out of their way to prove that you are guilty not find facts. Never sign a safety plan, Never let them into your home and always record them no matter what. Call an attorney as soon a they get in touch with you one that has experience fighting CPS not one that will try and appease them.

dthe on January 21, 2020:

did cps write this? lol

Jerry on January 19, 2020:

Our case worker been lieing to us from the first day. I lived away from home for 4 months because of her. Then she told us that I could move back home an I did then she went an told the judge I didn't suppose be at home an her an a deputy showed up an she asked me what I'm doing here an they took the kids so cps does not help people. They lie an harass people. Don't trust them we are getting a lawyer now

Sheila Welch on January 07, 2020:

On December 23 had to discipline my 6 year old boy whom I have been having lots of behavior issue. He's gotten so violent, want listen to discipline at all will tell me no I'm doing it.refuses do do anything I tell him or adult figure. So told him he wasn't going to play with his best friend so he hits me... I bent down he took off running out the room I followed him so I just knew he went right back to the neighbors house saw him going that way, but I called he about 20 min later to come home she replied he's not here so I'm going insane. Police gets called brought my son back when the sheriff took him out he ran from the sheriff. Told the officer ño one is going to tell him what to do. So CPS got report came over to remove my child... Also took him cause I hadn't regrested my 6 old in school. Been fighting with the school board have asked CPS in this. They didn't want to hear it I had told them that I would have enrolled in school on January 6th at this year. Due to his learning disabilities. I have tried everything in my power to get in Hope packback people in all have gotten was the door slammed in my face. CPS are the heroes, all I have to do is morn the loss of my child..I need to know what my rights are and what can I do so urgent. I know there's no way you can catch CPS in their own lies I have court on Monday they got up there fabricated everything I said they failed to say anything positive

That I had said

joanna on January 01, 2020:

can cps take my child for getting into a fight at school while already in a case?

Rabbit1083 on December 27, 2019:

Cps does what they want. If you fight for your rights they get in their feelings cause when you fight it exposes their lies. Cps are destroying my childrens lives. My lawyer is helping them. My childern try to speak out about whats being done to them and they baker acted one of them. Deny me all my rights. Tell me if i dont adopt my childern out i will lose my rights. I have video and paperwork of the things they do. No one will act on it. I think its a way for the humen trafficking scum to get away with what they do. My kids are not for sell. I will never stop. They deny me a trial. They have nothing on me. But they know if i go to trial and even if i do lose it leaves this court and goes to higher court and thats what they dont want. I know they are losing sleep cause they know the got the right one this time. Im coming. To every one involved with Cps. You know if you are wrong or not. If you are fix it cause your kids need you. Dont be fake and waste time for us that care. Your making it easier for these people by being their statistic and your as bad as them. For those who are wronged hold your head up. Pray and never stop fighting. Do it with class though!

Tammy Lease on December 17, 2019:

What course can a parent take if they was threatened buy police and CPS workers into signing your rights away say for example they tell you if you don't sign the papers you will never know where your child would wind up or we Weill have your rights rip from you anyway and there was never no charges if neglect it drugs but yet they have so called picture of such what if they just out right like and call you bad parents and a few other bad names but on there paperwork it all looks legit thus is really happing and I need help so they don't adopt my son out I raised 3 beautiful girl into grown women and they have their in kids now they are telling me I'm a bad parent just because I kept and taught my son at home for kindergarden he wasn't ready for school yet and came and took him that same month he was to start first grade but I haven't got him enrolled yet I still had 3 weeks to get it done what am I suppose to do I want my boy back

Stephanie L Williams on December 17, 2019:

Can a case be open for a year and six months before they notify you? When something happened too you and they put the father in the care and when your get out and called them and they tell you they never had a open case on you and now calling a year and a half later too come and take a visit and then go too my daughter school and talk too her meaning she is 7 years old.

Stephanie Williams on December 17, 2019:

CAN a case be open for a year and six months before they notify you?

emvee on December 17, 2019:

i have a few questions, so

i had caught a case with the father of my child, last year 10months ago. He was being abusive and got arrested for 6months, ever since then i have been getting investigated, they made me go to several classes (DV, PARENTING, THERAPY, SUPPORT GROUPS, ALSO DRUG TESTING.) i have been cooperating the entire year, with no problem. He just got out about 7months ago, he requested for visitations through court but never followed through with his visits. recently i got over all the classes and got a full time job started October 2019 because i was spending so much time 3 days a week full days at class when i should be spending time with my daughter or working! Now that i have my full time they still will not close my case!! what should i do in this situation, i'm tired of it, they keep asking for progress reports when i explained that i now have a full time job to support myself And my daughter who i live alone with. Please Help with any advice!!! Thank you for your time.

BETTY BROWN. on December 17, 2019:

Do the case workers interview both parents? I know of a case where the case worker has her mind made up because she thinks the one parent is being disrespect. I thought the main person was the child and where he would be the happiest. When the step parents are standing the the child will not say anything against them! It is a very unfair system. Now it is mostly about were the worker feels she was disrespected!

D.C. on December 12, 2019:

Can cps be called on

Cps

fostercare workers

Judges

Governers

Lawyers

Or any other politicians

Or public servant

Mad Grandmother on December 09, 2019:

My daughters ex was mentally and physically abusive toward her and her and there three children, but still he got weekend visits this past Thanksgiving he got them and fearfully put what he wanted them to say to say to CPS and they believed the children. Keep in mind these children are afraid of there Dad. The oldest child told his Mom that her Dad made them lie on there Mom to CPS and his Mom called CPS and reported this my Daughter has worked since she was 16, coached cheer leading never smoked or drank an excellent mother , She was suppose to have gotten the kids back today and he went and filed a DVP against her on behalf of the kids. He has enrolled the kids in a different school in a different county, tell me this isnt traumatizing on a child come on now. Our hearts our breaking we want our babies back. Please help

Schmusername on December 02, 2019:

XCmom maybe you need to be wrongfully accused and talked to like a dirty rag on the street. My husband and I have done nothing wrong and we are being treated like criminals. FYI, we are very good parents.

xcmom on December 01, 2019:

I'm sorry but the amount of comments written by parents on this thread sound like exactly what an abuser would say. At least learn to spell, that way you seem less illegitimate in your claims of being a 'good parent'. Personally I found this page in attempts to find help for my friend with a severely abusive mother. CPS has not been beneficial; they have been called on them multiple times (by different people, because the abuse is obvious), yet no case has been brought against her. I don't believe the child is in immediate danger, but has been experiencing abuse for years now and it pains me. I just want to see the mother removed from the situation so she can be safe. The amount of mental trauma, ptsd, and physical abuse she's endured breaks my heart. Quite frankly I'm in favor of CPS being against the parents, even if it's a thorn for those of you who are good parents. I'm tired of nothing being done, I'm tired of parents being able to sweet-talk their way out of the system.

Sescily McCoy on November 26, 2019:

Can DCFS in the state of Arkansas get your medical records from a hospital without your consent? I really wanted to know the real legal answer to this question please!!

Rebecca on November 25, 2019:

So, can I tell my children's school that they are not allowed to let my children be interviewed by CPS? I do not mind them being interviewed at home, but I do not appreciate them going behind my back and talking to them at school without me knowing.

Derek on November 22, 2019:

What if it has nothing to do with you but it's about someone else who lives in the house? Then CPS says that there's allegations about you. What do you do then?

Seriouslysage on November 21, 2019:

Unbelievable! CPS can not just go speak to your child without you knowing! They can not drug test you without consent, they can not take your child without a judgement, warrant! They can lie to you and scare you into believing they can! If you let them in or even speak to them, it will be held against you and your words will become theirs. This they can do. Now, if you hear the ten things you must know, there are many wrongs to her writing. She says they can, well they can but only if you have already agreed and signed your rights away. Or they have a warrant to do so. Other wise, they can not just speak to your child. This is the way they word what they can do by leaving out what allows them. So after they have crossed the line and scared you, they no longer have to worry, you now are working with them. So, if you believe them, you lose. If you need help against CPS, I would be happy to help!

mikel prate on November 16, 2019:

Me an my wife have been going through this for 3 years now been called on 13 times for the same thing never gets old of some one saying the our kids are unsupervised or are falling down the stairs when we have a gate the blocks the stairs or that are part of the house is a desaster now we have go through chins case an everytime they been called is stupied

David from Washington on November 14, 2019:

Hello, I feel bad for some of the people here. I am in the CPS system myself fighting for my 2 boys. I also did was asked of me but started doing everything before they even ask, did more than they asked to do, asked them what else they wanted me to do and 2 months later tomorrow or this morning we are having a seat down decision of an in home dependency with one of us(parents) but I am the only parent who did everything and cooperated with CPS, went to DVSAS, did the parenting class & then some. I am so excited, I love my boys & all my children so much that I would give my life for them, nothing is more important. My lawyer told me that the court decided on me having them back but I have to see them home with me before I believe it. Good luck everyone & don't give up you kiddos love you and need you!

Christopher mizell on November 09, 2019:

Ok so my children were taken from there mothers custody and were put in temporary custody with her aunt. I'm the father and want my kids very bad , I have done everything cps told me and they still haven't let me get my kids. I have tried everything I know to get my kids. Can you give me any advice to how I can get my babies?

Bernie on November 02, 2019:

CPS workers are notoriously over worked, under paid, under trained, and poorly educated in regards to a professional career. Do Not Trust what they say...... say as little as possible and get an attorney fast.

Sandra Burton on November 01, 2019:

Can cps make you put your child in daycare? they are implying that the parents are not capable of taking care of the kids all the time. Stating they need a break. Both parents suffer from ptsd, anxiety and depression but are on medication and it is controlled. I know becuase I live with both of them. I watch the children when they want time together. Cps say that isn't good enough becuase I don't know the mother that well. Oh but putting the children in daycare with some that doesn't know her at all is ok? Who can I talk about all of this and what cps can demand and what they can not.

Melissa on October 29, 2019:

My daughter was taken from me my brother has her. She had been out of school sick. School called wanted me to bring her so they could see her. The offer wanted to talk to me. Stated that they was drug use. We have not been to Court. I've done everything they ask. And I still don't have her. I want her backknow I'm lost without her. Cani go get her

Brees21 from Tonawanda on October 28, 2019:

If 1of the parents does not strap in the child to eat which is only 16 months old. The baby is always moving and could fall out of the chair. And I told the parent multiple times to strap her in and the parent doesn't Is that considered abuse

Jas Crowell on October 28, 2019:

If you refuse entry to CPS they will not enter - the contact police and DEMAND entry. Refusal = arrest. The ONLY defense - Turn on a video camera, they will NOT engage in any way if they are being documented by someone outside of their authority. And no, law enforcement can NOT force you to stop recording. IF they continue to be an issue, contact your attorney and publish the footage if need be. Never trust ANY CPS agent. EVER.

Sylvia on October 28, 2019:

Ok myboyfriends is getting his kid because they reported her whit CPS and he's going to get. Them we live in utha she in AZ do I have to take a Drug test and

Elizabeth price on October 28, 2019:

My son reported sexual abuse by his father to a police officer over two weeks ago. I still haven't received the case number or talked to my son's Representative. We need help. What's the next step I should take?

jeanine on October 28, 2019:

I personally had dhr if AL called on me by a vindictive ex boyfriend. He used some truthful situations about my daughters father and step mother. He exaggerated my part in supposed neglect accusing me of heavy drug use. I went along w interview process and drug test where a had some marijuana in my system. They dismissed case declaring it was of malicious intent.

Fast forward my daughter is staying w her father more than ever.!"I personally have raised her w little and no support from her father for 10 yrs: I lost my job after purchasing a higher mtg payment home Bc I had verbal understanding that her dad was going to finaincaily help. Regardless she has been thee more. Now his wife and him had dhr called Bc if small kitchen fire. Her dad failed for alcohol and wet to treatment. 2nd court date stepmom got popped e another and fails for opiods. Bit are in treatment and kids are w his parents. I rented my house to save it. Now I'm being called into trial and believe I'm going to be put on random drug test? I wasn't there for incident. I was phone interviewed and told case was being closed. Case is Thur and I'm required to be there. They want to test me too. Is this legal since I wasn't even there?

Yeah no on October 26, 2019:

I'm sorry, but no, this is not how it works. It's how it's supposed to work, but it doesn't work that way. I have been involved in 3 CPS cases with 3 sepwrate familes. I am currently helping a relative. Some advise:

NEVER agree with the agent that you are tired, overwhelmed or that you thi k you need services. If you do this you are admitting you are not an adequate parent. I've seen kods removed because the single mom of 3 kids (1 was special needs) agreed with the csse worker that she was overwhelmed and she could use the help of a nurse. Instead of helping her with getting a nurse and respite they said she wasn't equipped and took the kids.

Don't admit anything. You are not overwhelmed. You are not tired. You do not need services. You are capable of parenting your own kids. After CPS is gone then you can look for your own services.

V on October 21, 2019:

I recently got full custody of my child in august. My dcf case worker said that she will be in my life for 6 months. She never said anything about my parents not beong able to watch my son. She recently found out that my parents watch my son every friday night and i pick him up on saturdays. She told me that in order for my parents to watch him she would have to do a homestudy and investigate their life. Is this true? I live in florida.

Benz on October 20, 2019:

I have four kids. Ive never had an issue till i moved to California.

I wish i would have known not top Larry them inside.

They took my son but the part that i find incredibly unnerving are the alligations that are 100% untrue.

Part of me feels like maybe they are purposely doing this as a ploy strike fear but its also against the law to falsify these alligations.

They lied about EVERYTHING.

IM TERRIFIED

Advice more than welcome

Anonymous on October 17, 2019:

What types of reasons would child services contact a family with no children?

DeniseRuiz on October 06, 2019:

I live in Santa Rosa County Florida. Can someone call child services from another state to make a report

JP on October 05, 2019:

People too ~ Ive had 2 false drug cases filed against me. Both CPS workers have lied, were rude, put false things in my reports, and have been no help. There is a reason families dont like CPS. Then Ive witnessed a 10 year meth head and CPS has yet to take her children away. You condemn innocent people. I have never been contacted to explain the situation surrounding what was called in on me ~ an abusive ex trying to get my daughter taken from me.

An American Mother on September 28, 2019:

Cost of college? sum it up, who made them God, No one has a right to me or mine, nibbody, u own the land and the. make them pay you. invoke law of the land, Gods Law,

Mimi Washington on September 27, 2019:

Sorry but this is crap. These people got involved in my life over a year ago claiming abuse, neglect, and educational neglect. I filed an appeal and threatened to sue them for slander and defamation and low and behold they dismissed all but the educational neglect and admitted they had no grounds to threaten me. Yet even with my son having all of his medical records turned over to them, they claim that medical appointments due to diabetes do not override missing school or leaving early and I'm neglecting his education. I have had CPS threaten to send the police to my brothers home where he had just returned from receiving his chemotherapy and radiation to do a well child check-up unless I agreed to her time and place of meeting. Yeah lady, you guys are people too and surely you're here to help. I'm a single mother with 3 kids doing my best and every other week I'm harassed and threatened for absolutely NO GOOD REASON

Lisa Dillie on September 24, 2019:

They showed up at my door once looking all serious and official with their little clipboards. Said they received an anonymous tip that I had been leaving my toddler home alone at night. The poor social worker was so confused when I burst out laughing. The joke was on her...I don't even have any kids!

David Jon Dillion on September 23, 2019:

This is pretty much bullshit. Ive experienced cps as a child. They lead with their questions. They ask open ended questions. And manipulate children and destroy families. At least here in California. In California, Child Support, Family Law Court, and CPS, are all In Cahoots with State leaders. Two more kids in the system the more funding California gets. CPS is a family killer. Where the best interest of the child is not important to them nor is it considered.

Tiarra on September 23, 2019:

They make me drug test to get my kids back I don't want to buy drugs is about domestic violence situation so I don't have to ask him into a surge with my kids cuz I don't do drugs so I don't know what else they don't know what else to do to prove to you I'm going to drug so so it came back negative all over and now they want me do it again

Heather on September 19, 2019:

Jody Herring is my hero!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08...

Yeah, no on September 19, 2019:

I agree with Amanda 100%. When we become parents, we do NOT sign away our rights to privacy and due process.

CPS does not come into my home, for any reason. They do not interview my children without an attorney present. If they try, they get met with stony silence and the kind of glare you can only get from a teenager, LOL.

My drug of choice is caffeine; that notwithstanding, they will NEVER get a drop of bodily fluid from me, even if they buy me dinner first. ;-)

I would never submit to a drug test for the simple reason that they will send you to a facility that has a contract with their agency, which doesn't exactly inspire trust. To be clear...there will not be one iota of cooperation from me or my family. And because I'm not doing a damn thing wrong, there's nothing they can do about it.

Catherine Berry from Belgrade on September 18, 2019:

I found this article extremely informative and it was interesting to explore situations from the CPS side of things.

I have not had to go through anything to do with CPS so take my opinion for what it is.

People are inherently good, right? I do not see how a social department could be filled with only people that want to take kids away from their parents. There are bad apples in every profession sure. And maybe once you've seen some really bad situations that children are put in, it's hard to not assume the worst of every case.

If there is nothing to hide, then there is nothing to hide, right? If I was under investigation I would cooperate fully and submit whatever samples, statements or interviews needed in order to improve my child's life. AND I would be asking what I needed to do better. Even if CPS was called on me out of revenge by somebody or whatever, I would use CPS as a tool to further enhance my child's life after reviewing their findings.

Bottom line, if you aren't doing anything nasty, being responsible and do not make anyone else mad enough to go through submitting a complaint, you shouldn't have a problem. Rather than blaming everyone else for CPS knocking on your door and making the situation worse for yourself and your child, be kind, respectful, and practice some self-reflection.

Amanda on September 18, 2019:

Sorry but you are dead wrong in choosing to assume something is not right or something is being hidden simply because a person refuses to let you look inside their home or refuses to invite you in. This is also true for refusing drug tests. Do you understand the concept of "PRIVACY" at all? Do you understand "LIBERTY"? Do you understand exercising one's rights under the constitution? Essentially, what you are saying is that if a person chooses to exercise their rights, you assume guilt and thereby view your entire investigation into the person and family through this biased, prejudicial lens!! Your job is to remain completely objective and unbiased whilst gathering facts and making conclusions based on solid, tangible evidence that either proves or disproves wrongdoing. Drawing conclusions based on your own personal assumptions framed by your very narrow point of view is completely and utterly unprofessional. "Let me trample your rights or I will assume you are guilty and/or hiding something!". So if I exercise my right to remain silent if I am ever arrested, and furthermore wait for the counsel of my attorney prior to any interviews or statements, should I automatically be assumed as guilty?! I mean, screw due process, right? Why do we have a Bill of Rights or constitution at all? Heck, why even bother allowing PRIVATE citizens any rights at all? I am astonished by your declarations as well as incredibly disturbed!

Who knows on September 18, 2019:

I have an open case now and its so depressing my 6 year old son had a brain tunor i took him to the hospital first hosptial. Did an xray and didnt find anything second found a brain tumor they did surgery for 17hours when my son got out of surgwry he wasnt able to talk breathe walk use the restroom anything on his own... It was hard for me to see my son like that but instead of helping a young mother and be supportive they take him away and place him 112 miles away from me... Hes going through it due to not knowing whats going on with they surgery and then u detain him from me...no he self harm his self .. Thats how my baby boy cope with life hurting his self... And not to point fingers at all cps but if your for the children pleass act like it.. Because honestly your showing sonething totally different and wonder why ppl dont like yall... Yall should support young mothers insteas of taking there kids away due to surprising circumstances.... I got my son detained by neglect i completed parenting now they want me to do something eles like its hard to get your children but its easy to take

Blu on September 17, 2019:

CPS should be responsible for paying all vo pays and bills from forcing people to take their kids in to ER over a negative for abuse report. Wasted everybody's time for nothing.

Wendy rhes on September 17, 2019:

Don't know what state you're from but listen I wish all social workers were like you but I got news for you never in a couple times the one time I've experienced it myself and my other time I've had a couple friends experience them are the fucking devil and yeah they are out to get your kids and sell them i

concerned parent on August 28, 2019:

What can I do if an assigned cps supervisor has a personal relationship with the person I reported?

Karrie Johnson on August 23, 2019:

I really wish you would post the articles on Family rights and CPS on Facebook

Excuse me??? on August 18, 2019:

No this is what they want you to believe so you let them in to destroy your family. Remember Satan disguises himself as an angel of light as do these folks. This is such bull because I was being harrassed and false calls made that were clearly false cause i was breastfeeding and actually being a very good parent but surrounded unbeknownst to me at the time by very covert narrcissists which this agency is full of. Its an epedemic these days. I cooperated and tookndrugvtests and never once did cps put down that i claimed these were false allegarions and love how they do mkt do psyche evaluations, drug tests or anything on foster parents or reporterd ehich shoukd not be able to remain anonymous!!! They dont let victims who call for help at places remain anonymous??? Hell abuse victims have to sit in front of their abusers and give all their info to get any help who have evidence of tertible abuse and be revictimized but someone reporting something as serious as child abuse is not checked for credibility or any such thing. Schools threaten it all the time and is a dangerous plqce anymore to send your child and over stupid crap and all this mandated reporting is a crock!

Josie on August 17, 2019:

My experience with Dcfs has been a nightmare , Placement with family was not a option the caseworker is fighting to keep my grand kids away from me. I have such a tight bond with my grand kids my heart is shattered in to pieces with all this. The lies that they are making against family, we went through 11 kin ship applications they have denied every single person . I have reach out to the abundsmen over the Dcfs any one who would listen I'm so desperate for help . My grand kids range from 3 years to five years old . This system is so corrupted . I'am now fighting with my own lawyer to try to get placement with me ,when they say foster homes are the last option is a lie that was the first place this system went to.Did is now going on 3 months . Please if any one can please help me by giving me information to they right people who are willing to help. I so will be so thankful. Never in my life have i ever thought this could happen to my family. These people are so heart less never once did they have the best interest of my grand kids Please!!!!! I beg for help before its to late

Can Dcfs Interview My Child Without My Knowledge

Source: https://wehavekids.com/parenting/InsideCPS#:~:text=If%20a%20CPS%20worker%20wants,will%20not%20conduct%20the%20interview.