If you want to sue Child Protective Services in federal court it is best that you hire an attorney. Of course, it can be done In Pro Per (on your own), so if you have confidence in your legal abilities and can’t afford or find legal help, then go for it! Most of us, however, would have a difficult time managing a civil lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit is a complex task, and it helps to have an attorney evaluate your chances of winning the case before you get started.
Many CPS victims choose to file a federal lawsuit, to sue for violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983:
42 U.S.C. § 1983 – Civil action for deprivation of rights
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purposes of this section, any Act of Congress applicable exclusively to the District of Columbia shall be considered to be a statute of the District of Columbia.
If your Child Protective Services social worker or caseworker claims to have immunity from prosecution, don’t believe it! There is no immunity for CPS under federal civil rights law.
Locate your nearest federal courthouse using the Federal District Court Online Locator Service. Wherever that nearest court is, be prepared to go there during the course of your federal lawsuit. The District Court is the trial court level of the federal court system. If your case is appealed, bear in mind you’ll be involved with the Federal Appellate Courts. Learn about the different federal courts here: Federal Courts.
Whether you have an attorney or not, the book pictured, Section 1983 Litigation in a Nutshell, will help you understand Section 1983 litigation so you can help direct the course of your lawsuit.
How To Find A Section 1983 Civil Rights Litigation Attorney
You could start by looking through the yellow pages of your local phone directory. In the section for attorneys, look for specialties, then locate the “Civil Rights” and “Constitutional Law” sections. Phone these attorneys to set up free initial consultations… but don’t make your decision too quickly. You’re in an information gathering phase now.
Have a notebook to record details of your conversations with the attorneys you talk to – including their contact information and fees, whether they think you have a case, and what they think the probability of success is if you proceed. Consider that if they think your lawsuit is sure to fail, they may be connected with principal characters you’re suing via friendship or relationship, and may try to discourage you from suing at all!
Here’s a way to do that: Go to the federal courthouse to look for cases using their computer database system. Find cases filed against the Department of Social Services in your state. Next, ask to look at those cases; they should be a matter of public record. Find the names of the attorneys who filed the cases, and contact those lawyers, asking for a free consultation. Don’t stop with just one – find as many names as you can and do interviews. Getting the best and most motivated attorney at the best price is your goal.
You may be able to do this online at Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) but bear in mind, there’s a fee involved. If your fee is less than the cost of gasoline to reach the federal courthouse, this would be worth using.
Your Evidence Against CPS
Make sure your documentary evidence is well-organized before speaking to attorneys. You should have an ongoing case notebook, and evidence of everything that happened in your interactions with CPS.
Do the best you can to prove your case using documents so the attorneys you talk to will have more confidence that your case can be won.
Watch this video for suggestions on how to organize your evidence: An Attorney’s Advice on Protecting Your Family by Gathering Data. This video was done by practicing attorney, Dr. Lorandos. His YouTube archive, Accused Falsely, is an excellent source of information for anyone seeking to sue CPS.
Learn About Legal Precedent – Cases of People Who Sued CPS Successfully in the Past
Thomas M. Dutkiewicz, president of Connecticut DCF Watch did a lot of legal research a few years ago to find case citations that will help CPS victims sue the Department of Social Services and their CPS social workers and caseworkers. Read his handbook to prepare for your case, and to discover further aspects of the injustice done to you: Child Protective Services and the Juvenile Justice System: A guide to protect the constitutional rights of both parents and children as ruled by the Federal Circuit Courts and Supreme Court.
Representing Yourself
Thomas M. Dutkiewicz did an excellent job of presenting his case In Pro Per, and it can be done if you are willing and able to take the time to learn the laws and how to use them. The book pictured above, Represent Yourself in Court: How to Prepare & Try a Winning Case, can help you understand more about filing a civil lawsuit In Pro Per. It is recommended also for people who hire an attorney so you can be aware of all the things your attorney should be doing and make sure he or she is giving you the best representation possible.
stephanie says
hello my story is long. I have 5 children the oldest my mother has guardianship of I was young going through divorce and scared the father was going to prison. We chose not to tell her till his release. then i have the baby and the other 3 are with their dads. Here goes my story I reported abuse on the two children who have the same dad. They would not speak to or look t the children. then cps comes says the fathers home smells of marijuanna would i like a drug test I have said for 2 years now as well as other officals nobody would do anything. 3 months later they interview the 7 year old she is autistic and can’t remember why she was hit so they felt she was coached. The step mother has a history of coaching her own daughter accusing her own mother of making her take showers with the step father. We went and had a mtg March 30 they said the kids remain with me the April 1 they have a meeting with the father and he said I was spiraling out of control with metnal health I have 3 evals one the judge laughed at because it was by zoom from covid lock down the other two arTold my oldest about her dad and then told my 10 year old heres your dad your going home with him he was never in his life. the cps worker went to court and lied then went to court for the 10 yearold who was not in cps care without a supena aftert he case was closed and lied again.
I would like to sue the police dept as well as the cps worker who lied and violate protocal
civil rights were also violated but thats a differetn issue
can I sue on a personal level the cps worker as well as the civil rights
Amanda says
July 2020, first DCS case and it was fine. Passed my drug test, there was no concerns about me but about my older kids dad, August 2020, they had to go and live with my parents, DCS said. January 18, 2021, lost my mom at a big hospital in East Tennessee, January 26,2021, went to my last baby appointment at the big hospital in East Tennessee and was admitted bc of my blood pressure being high, January 27, 2021, had my baby boy at the big hospital, January 28,2021, my birthday and DCS came in, told me that I need to find a place for my son to go, he was with me from January 27 – Feb 1 and I was discharged the 29 but the case worker and people at the hospital said he had meth and subtext in his system and I did too. He never went to the NICU, he never cried but when he was hungry or wet, he was a amazing baby and my nurses thought we was going home together. When he got home he was in a new county but the case was still in another county no one has came out to see us my fiance has never done a drug test or seen a DCS worker and here the big one on my petition that is for my baby. This case worker had the right to put “SHE WAS TO HIGH TO DELIVERY SO THE BIG HOSPITAL IN EAST TENNESSEE SENT HER HOME IN LABOR”. I am not laying. I will show anyone. So we had our first court date and it was zoom never talked to a attorney before that or after, weeks before our last court date I got ahold of my attorney after 10 times calling and told her want my petition said and this is what she said “OH, I AM DRIVING TALK TO YOU LATER,” She was gone and never talked to her tell court and she didn’t say anything. We have never seen a case worker over an year. So I am going after them and I will make sure they will pay because I had to go to a mental hospital bc my older kids was taken, my mom died, my baby was born, and then my baby was taken. So I have my mental health doctor going to stand up for me. Just trying to get more stuff before I come after them. So if anyone could give me ideas, point me in the direction for anything please do.
Linda Martin says
If you tell them you have a mental problem they’ll hold that against you too. If possible get your own clean drug tests for evidence in court.
SATX Grandparent says
I am a Texas Grandparent looking for someone who can help me. I am wanting to file a lawsuit against CPS. My situation is very very long to explain, but I have a Declaration of Facts sheet I completed myself that explains in full detail of what DFPS did wrong when they placed my grandson in my care and then removed him from me. Not on facts, but on the mistakes and mishandling the investigator did and they had to try and cover their tracks. And I have evidence. Even as far as I filed a complaint to Consumer Affairs and they did nothing either. Can you help me?
John says
Same happened to us. I’m taking them down in Nebraska
Tiffany says
hey we should talk as I want to do the same with Nebraska.
cacey says
same here Nebraska is faulty as heck down here
Laura says
My daughter is on meth and I’ve been through several cps cases as a guardian and one against me. I’ve beat them several times but you can’t fight fair. They openly work “under color of law” and slither between the various organizations they work with (CASA, police, the courts, foster care board, etc.). I believe they keep different files on the same case in order to get by with telling different versions of the same story, depending on which venue they’re in. This theory would explain the condition of the information that’s pulled if you request the file and why they can never find anything. Another point to mention is when they take kids, they list a reason (two actually but only tell you one) and whether it’s accurate or not, it’s their job is to “make it so”. They hold back one of the allegations in order to catch you off guard at the courthouse. I’ve seen them perjure themselves in court and lose, and look extremely worried as they left, as though their job was in jeopardy. The good news is, if they’re taken from a legal guardian, they are supposed to offer you a “treatment plan”. Sure, its BS, but you can get your grandson back. My advice is to play nice, give them rope and bust them in court. If they have any inaccurate data (and they always do), don’t tell anyone, gather evidence that contradicts them and save it for court. Just keep going along with everything (thanking them, etc.), taking notes. Save it like an ace up your sleeve as you go through the layers of BS that they lay out for you to do. As a defendant, you will be allowed to testify “last”, after they’ve perjured themselves. Your secret weapon is that they are never ready for a hearing. (That’s why they always create an “agreement” before you see the judge, knowing you’re under duress). Once your truth is part of the court record, Check Mate. Trust me, it works! Good Luck!! :-)
Michelle says
You cannot fight to get your kids back with a court appointed attorney or any attorney. You must submit 3 affidavits to recsind any jurisdiction and fight on your own. Do alot of research. Then if they dont back off challange juridiction and submit all three affidavits. Do alot of research how to submit on paperwork. If nothing go to how to get my children back.com and its worth every penny…
Samantha says
how do I start the process in Massachusetts?
Karen says
Hi there! THANK YOU so much for sharing..it’s kinda funny ..(without anything being quote unquote funny at this point but that’s what I’ve been doing along the way but I think they might have they have so much power I’m in an appeal right now where they will they refuse to give me the disc of the audio and the visual the disc that everybody has a right to I believe they didn’t even give me the transcripts I’m already 6 weeks I had to ask for an extension for the appeal and the appeal supposed to be done you know within 20 days but my appellate attorney backed out I’ve been trying to find a lawyer and now I’m just doing it myself and they’re all in on it I went through three court appointed lawyers and kept having to fire them and fire them do you know that none of my lawyers not one submitted any evidence of a case plan I did the case plan twice they even made me lose my house I had to sleep in my car at some point we lost everything I’ve never had visitation with my son except on a zoom call a couple times they went ahead and did the emergency she said shelter hearing without ever notifying me I was in the hospital for 2 weeks nobody ever came to tell me my son was in custody they never brought him to me they never told me that they were having a hearing they had the emergency shelter hearing and the dependency hearing without me they put court documents into the file later on that’s why they don’t allow you to get your court documents if you have representation only your lawyer can get them so I didn’t find out until after I was tpr’d of what really happened that nothing was submitted I’m dumbfounded truly but I’m all by myself when I came out of that hospital visit my father was dead my sole supporter and my son was gone and it’s been 2 years and they have violated every regulation every statute right before the permanency trial all of a sudden my caseworker literally disappeared disappeared into thin Air. then right before the tpr trial her supervisor did just the same so they had some caseworker up on the in the witness stand testifying as to my case plan that she knew absolutely nothing of how is that not hearsay? and I’m disabled and so is my son they have not given us one accommodation and the reason why they don’t there’s a reason why they don’t want to give me the disc because it’s going to prove them wrong but they’ve been having me run around for the past 5 weeks here and there back and forth to the courthouse and physically disabled and without a vehicle so you can imagine and then just yesterday the judge’s assistant was so nasty to me and I had spoken to her last week a couple weeks ago and she was the one directing me but she told me yesterday she said we don’t have to give you anything she said you’ve been terminated we consider you not even having a case here and you have no rights to the audio and the visual disc of all of the hearings cuz I wanted all of the hearings it’s been going on and on and I just got the transcripts yesterday because the appellate lawyer whittled away of course and said there was no reason for him to represent me so here I am standing alone terrified knowing it’s my very last chance and I’m trying to pull it all together in a day or so trying to write this appeal and I just don’t have the talent like that I’m in the medical field you know? but I’m going to do the best I can and thank you so much for sharing in your resources thank you God bless I wish there was a way that I could get in touch with you.
Charlotte says
A single man who is a homosexual has my 14 year old Daughter and my 5 year old Son . He and his family cause me to suffer with bitter words and treatment. A social worker and him are trying to keep my children. I have done all requested of me yet they still will not return my children. The court did a bonding study that provided false information. The DCFS workers are providing false information and defamation of my character causing me and my children separation. I have to meet my kids at park, all my efforts are not acknowledged. My Son cries, I have videos of it. My son displays homosexual influence, I have proof. I need help to sue DCFS.
I need to have legal counsel. My rights are being violated. They keep moving the court date to make me give up. Months and years have gone by. I have been patient but now I see that the lawyers assigned to me are not able to provide with answers to why my children are not returned. The social worker lies and sabotages’ all my effort to reunite with my children.
Vivian says
Same here . Exactly same.
Carol says
My God. We’re you able to sue the dcfs traffickers and get your children back?
Ahzy says
To buy yourself some time to prepare and study your legal strategy, file an internal affairs complaint. Try to send it via email for receipt date. File A 1983 Claim using the form they provide on the court’s website.
Mary says
Same happened to me. It was my grandchild they took. Her attorney placed her with friends of hers to adopt her. They had no foster care license. This has got to stop. They are destroying our children lives, and the family. It ended up killing me too from the stress they put me through.
Shelley says
I understand completely , iam really pissed at cps and the judge in my granddaughters case – they have taken liberties to start taking my daughters rights, have said mid truths about me and my husband to keep me from the baby and it goes back a long time . Know they are trying to adopt her out and I’m fuming! They have lied to the judge and made me look awful and I’m far from it! They have said we didn’t provide access when we were home, they said we didn’t provide childcare when she was visiting and I had been told by a cps worker to hold off of that , but the supervisor said I had not even contacted childcare!! They have a family seeing my granddaughter and they are recommending her for adoption! This is just a couple of the many things that they have done- I intend to take this to federal court!!
Latasha says
Hi there I am trying to take my case to federal court to get my kids back and to sue dcs for everything my kids and us have been threw because of them I have voice recordings and pictures can this be presented as evidence?
Tonia says
Hi, my name is Tonia in nc. The county dept of social services took my daughter while she was in her father’s care.. they said my home was unsafe at the time. dss had never been to my home.
Her two brothers still live with me and I have never been unable or unwilling to care for my daughter. My daughter had never taken any drugs until dss took her and never failed a grade in school. now she is soon to be 16 and they have sent her to another state and will not allow me to see or talk to her. She tested positive one time for opioids and they are saying now she has a serve problem. Which is not true. Federal Gov is paying 550$ a day for her placement there so of course they’re going to do or say anything they can to keep her.. I need and she needs help to get her back home. they have sent her almost 200 miles from home and are not allowing me to have any contact with her.. what can I do about this?
Michael says
Hello My name is Mike. Cps has removed my 3 year old daughter from the care of her mother while she was with her. My ex and i has lived together previously with our daughter but i moved out because we were not getting along. So we worked out visitation times between us. That was going good for a couple of months but one day i showed up to her apt. to see my daughter and discovered some social workers cards on her front door. To make a long story short, cps obtained a warrant to remove her from the home and care of my ex, but did not contact me the father. I had nothing to do with or any knowledge of the incident that led to this warrant. Yet i am being told my daughter cannot be released to me? Just months prior in January we had a cps case closed and custody returned to us. I have not done anything wrong nor been charged with any crimes since the judge returned custody to me and my daughters mother and had nothing to do with her removal. What can i do about this? The social worker told me i would have to drug test and she would have to see my home first before releasing my daughter to me. Although i felt like this was violating my rights as an American citizen being that i have not done anything wrong yet being subjected to this kind of thing just to have my own child released to me, I did it anyway yet still did not have my daughter released to me! As a matter of fact i tested two days in a row negative for any drugs or anything and they seen my home which is very clean and my daughter has her own bedroom. I am having to go to court soon and my daughter has been in foster care for a month already because i havent been able to find the right attorney that can help me. What can i do about this? I need help please?
Linda Martin says
Michael, when you go to court be prepared to show the judge that you did what the social worker requested of you. Take your proof with you.
Laura says
And take evidence that disproves their allegations, then don’t agree to their one sided “agreement” they present to get out of the hearing. Defendant testifies last. You’ll either win or be ordered to participate in the agreement so with nothing to lose and everything to gain, at least you stand a chance. :-)
Ricky says
Hi I’m in Tucson I’ve been dealing with CPS apparently the evidence that they supposedly have is not that much and my kids are still taking away I have three hours of visits with my kids and phone calls I’m trying to make my kids come home by doing in home services but the case worker is denying what can I do
Carlos says
Hi Mike, sorry for your family. Are you in court and how far are you into the system?
James says
Morning sir,
My name is James and I am fighting cps.
Please provide any info on how I can get my affidavits filed towards cps in a FEDERAL COURT.
They are trying to railroad me completely; pre-trial disposition hearing is set for 11/17/2020
I am working on my affidavits to repudiate the birth certificate (US Citizenship) and a few others.
It is very urhent because I’m almost out of time before their fake ‘court’ trial.
I am in California.
Sorry, I forgot to mention prior but my (2) children were kidnapped by cps on 03/23/2020.
I’ve not seen them since 01/05/2020.
Cps took them from their mother.
IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 7 MONTHS NOW AND I’M JUST BEGINNING TO TAKE THE 1ST ACTION (by filing affidavits).
**ALL COURT DATE HEARINGS ARE CONDUCTED VIA PHONE CALL (zoom, skyoe, etc.) — due to covid 19
I fired the attorney 2 hearings ago, was “DISREGARDED FROM THE COURT RECORD AS THE FATHER” by the fake judge before he ordered my fired attorney to “hang up your client since he’s saying he’s not the father”…I clearly stated that I am not the *person* listed on the court docket – Nothing more, as I read entirely from a script.
I missed the follow-up hearing due to no contact with the fired attorney.
I received the false superior court’s next hearing notice via usps mail ON THE SAME MORNING AS THE HEARING = no time to prepare
I see the dirty tricks they play.
…to which I never stated. I failed to correct him in this statement so I know they will record it as an ‘acquiescence’ of my rights.
I wish to make it public record so that I can get case seen in a federal court.
Which affidavits to file to make it happen?
PLEASE INFORM OF THE PROPER STATUTES.
Carlos says
Hello to all, I wish everyone a great deal of hope with your pending cases. I hope everyone gets to keep and see their children, is very important. I represented this lady that lost two little girls. We were able to get her girls back within three [3]months and after filed a civil complaint and settled out of court. I did this ProBono. That is what I do best. Fight for the defenseless. Why ask for any money when you have been victimized. Even after settlement I don’t accept any monies. With thatstated, best to all.
Carlos
Holly says
Do you know of anyone in iowa that can help pro bono Carlos? Need help asap
Carlos says
Don’t know anyone in your state. Sorry. Write back to me at.. dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com for further. Carlos
Ladora says
Do you know anyone in Nebraska?
julia says
do you know anyone in texas either way i am going to fight for my kids
Natalia says
Where do you practixe at. We are in dire need our court appointed lawyer sucks my husbands daughter was adjudicated last fall. He had a founded dhs report and they stated he was incarcerated thats why he could not take care of her however we have his releasing documents stating he was not incarcerated and i believe he still has the texts he continously sent the worker for a month prior to her filing for an adjudication. My step daughter was adjudicated on a lie and to top it off they had accused me of sexually abusinf her and the investigation was unfounded but the dhs worker is still trying to use that as an excuse saying my step daughter is recanting her previous claim from a year prior that it was her brother at her moms house who molested her even though we also have solid evidence proving her mom even admitted the brother did it. They adjudicated my step daughter removed his visitations yet he has full unsupervised access of our shared boys who were NOT adjudicated. We need help its already been 9 months and he cant get in touch with his court appointed lawyer or his case worker. I dont have alot of money so i could really use a good probono please
Carlos says
Write to me at;
dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com.
Erica says
Hello Carlos I’m in the middle of a cps removal case cps has been harassing me and trying to take my kids since 2001 when I was 15 and had my first child and every year after that and I have always won but this time and this case they did everything illegally to get my kids and I can prove every lie only they. Succeeded my 3 children were taken my 2 girls went to foster care and my 9 year old special needs child they put him in the hospital right in the middle of covid that’s a threat to his medical condition he’s deaf can’t hear blind and breathes through a trac and has a feeding tube he is medically fragile oh and they did a whole lot more to him this is the first time that they have done everything illegal and no one will let me say anything not even the judge and they want me to sign to work my case but I don’t want to sign they r all lies.
I want to sue I got proof of everything illegal that case worker did to how we got here but I can’t find a lawyer and do got a lot of money so I was hoping to find a lawyer that would help me sue and I’ll pay them with that or pro bono do u think u could take my case on either of those 2 options I’m sure once u hear my whole story u will be very interested they have to pay for this it’s all wrong also I’m my son’s voice if anything I’m doing it for him he had a ruff start of his life he has never even got to celebrate a birthdays he’s a true miracle child. plz get back with me soon and let me know if ur interested thank u for ur time.
Crystal says
Exact same story here. CPS wanted three but never got allowed to give third specimen. You have any resolution?
Carlos says
Write to me…
dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com.
Thank you, carlos
Carlos says
You need to understand, time is running to utilize certain statutes in order to be heard. Be careful with the stall tactic they use to run you out of time. So far is working.
Carlos says
Write back to dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com for any further. Understand, 9 months is a long time but recoverable with proper statutes. Further delay you will lose the ability to fight back. Need to act to have standing in the court.
Tina says
Carlos help in Missouri ICWA child taken in hospital after birth..taken 9-10-2021 today 3-28-2022
Carlos says
Hello Natalia,
Sorry to read. No-one should fall prey to DHS / CPS. Unfortunately, you and your family have. However, time is running out. If said matter has been “Adjudicated.” This, ultimately, means that the Trial Judge / Hearing Officer issued an Order finalizing said case against one (1) party or the other. It seems the Court’s, issued, order is not in your favor. NOTE, after said Order you have “X” amount of time to file a Motion and after
“A Notice of Appeal” If mentioned have been exhausted and [or] never addressed than the next step is a possible Rule 60. It appears that said Rule is possible. But, you must act. If you require further assistance, with said Rule, contact me at: dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com. ALSO, if said allegations are unsubstantiated you might have an abuse / Slander./ Libel, cause of action.
Standing by,
Carlos.
Terrell says
I was woundering if you can help me with a case that just closed
Alexandra says
Hi do you know anyone in florida for Pro Bono’s?
Ashley says
Do u know any pro bono lawyers in new mexico
Sarah says
Hi Carlos, I have a friend who lost custody and her parental rights to her non custodial ex boyfriend in another state ,long story short, She lives in another state except for last two months, he had not paid child support for her daughter for nearly 9 years of her life, but suddenly, after talking with her roommate , he pays the child support, between her roommate and ex boyfriend, her daughter was urged to asked her to se her dad in another state. Her roommate made arrangement with her ex boyfriend for visitation for her daughter, the agreement was that her roommate would travel with her daughter to spent two weeks with father, then he would personally bring his daughter back to her in time for her school to start. That’s where problem began, my friend’s daughter didn’t come back as agreed , her school called asking why she not in school all she knew she still with her father, and told school she has no mean of way to contact him of where she is nor does she knew his address. CPS were called in in the state where my friend lived. Only to have learned her ex boyfriend and his home CPS had filed restraining order against her but she never received summon to appear, plus CPS had obtained court ordered custody transfers to her ex boyfriend as i understood it. Reasons for this she was accused of molesting her daughter which she never did. She doesn’t know what was being said between her daughter and CPS because she didn’t receive summon to appear, ( ex claimed he didn’t know her address which is a lie all he had to do is call her roommate and ask for her address, friend lives with her roommate) her parental rights were terminated. This is three states involved know of any attorneys that had bar associated in all three states? And can do pro bono ?
Whitney says
Are you in Texas?
Staten says
What state are you in? What’s your contact info
ashlee says
Do you know anyone in Colorado Carlos? Or Idaho
Tonia says
dss has done nothing right they are so cruel and brag about the power they have over my child and i. they have sent her aprox 200 miles out our family’s home state and are not allowing me to have any contact with my daughter. This has been going on for almost 3 years. She will soon be 16 and I love my daughter and she love me and she wants to can home.
Steven says
Carlos please contact me at Stevenlillyana-at-gmail.com I have a clear case of violation of section 1983 depriving somebody of civil rights under color of law federal lawsuit any help
Julie says
Please help me Carlos! I have court Friday and on.20th 22nd for attorneys ,were starting trial please help call or text me I’ll explain everything
God bless
Sincerely, Julie
Joan says
Please contact me asap as im in need of a pro bono attorney to get my son back and sue cps. They’ve violated my rights many times over and i havent been allowed to present any evidence in court to prove it. My son is about to be 4. And it appears that we have indian heritage affiliated with the black feet tribe which there was apparently a hearing held for on 4/28 but i didnt receive the notice until just yesterday and its dated and filed 5/17. They’ve not given me my last 3 visitations and lied about the driver being there to pick me up on one of those days. I can prove EVERYTHING to back up my claim that they’ve done nothing but lie and based an entire case on hear-say. They have had custody of him since January and while he’s living with my brother and his family, they keep threatening to remove him from there and place him with strangers. When i attempted to fire my court appointed attorney, they held a hearing to determine if i was compentent to understand what’s going on or if i need someone to speak for me and explain things to me. Their case is mainly based on their beliefs that i am bipolar which I’ve never been diagnosed with even by the dr they sent me to to have an evaluation done. Also i had been reported missing by my family after they hadn’t heard from me in a week- which is honestly nothing new- and the sheriff’s only located me the DAY BEFORE cps came out claiming to have received a report that i was doing drugs and a bunch of other things.. but they said it wasn’t the sheriff’s that made the report and since nobody even knew where i was as of the day before, then how could they possibly know what i was or wasnt doing? Or even where i was to send them since it’s a violation of my rights for the sheriffs to disclose my location to my family if i didn’t want to be found. Im 35 years old and my family is a bunch of pos a-holes (pardon my French) and they didn’t even make an attempt to reach out to me bc i had not one message or phone call from ANYONE during that week and they apparently hacked into my Facebook in order to find my location once i was reported missing but wouldn’t they at least ask why nobody tried to even get in contact with me first before filing a report?? I never talk to them so going a week without hearing from me is not unusual at all considering they might only hear from me or speak to me once a month, if even that much. I have no relationship with them unless i need something which i never get from them anyway but i always still try. So the fact that they’d report me missing after a week of being inactive on social media, makes absolute no sense to me at all! But the cps worker didn’t consider that the report must be false given the fact that there was no way they could know what i was doing if they didn’t even know where i was.. they were even able to get a judge to remove custody 7 MONTHS LATER!!! please help bc I’m all alone in this and i need my son to know he isn’t!! He has some mental issues and I’m the only consistent thing he’s ever had because it’s been rough since he’s been born and we’ve had to bounce around a lot. But i have ALWAYS done whatever is in his best interest and i ALWAYS WILL!! This isn’t about me.. I’ve become used to losing everything and everyone so i don’t care about what it’s doing to me cuz he’s the ONLY thing that matters to me. And he needs me. He will never be fine without me. This is seriously messing him up mentally and emotionally and it’s not fair or right! I can’t even protect him or do anything to help him because they have custody so I’m powerless.
Merissa says
My twin grandbabies were temporarily put under my care. After I got my grandbabies, I never heard from the CPS worker for months. I didn’t know what to do, my job was in jeopardy, didn’t know what daycare to put them in. Cannot afford daycare and formula. I applied for WIC only to be told by the WIC office that the CPS told them not to give me WIC because it is a temporary placement. I need help to sue cps.
Ashley says
Can you please help me in nj awhittaker330-at-gmail.com
Sarita says
Carlos are you available for a pro Bono case of two children in DHR custody and they have a rich family who wants my grandchildren. I believe they were paid off by the foster parent giving payouts to purchase my grandchildren. They immediately falsified and documented a fake kidnapping on myself. No charges are being filed but the alleged fake kidnapping they are blaming me with removes me from visits phone calls or custody. I have no criminal record and have written proof of this claim bring a blatant lie to cancel my rights as their grandmother. I’ve been attempting to fight the allegations but to no avail. They don’t have to be accountable for their actions or lies and our family urgently needs help before they finalize adopting these children to a rich family who paid to purchase them while their mother still has her rights. Adoption was allows being discussed from the beginning and it’s real fraud they are doing separating my family my legacy. I desperately need help before it’s too late.
Stefanie says
Please help meeee I need someone to help me fight for my kids the way I would. Reading all these hits so close to home. It’s been since dec 15 and I can’t go on any longer. Please I need an amazing lawyer and I need them back ASAP without it being dragged further
Jatana says
Hello Carlos,
Are you still taking pro Bono cases? I am in arizona?
Carlos says
Jatana,
Thank You for messaging.
I work as a team with professionals, towards helping Parents obtain their Children from CPS/DHFS [child protective services] custody. We do not represent, Pro Bono. However, we can provide You [parent] Each of the Tools necessary, that will very strongly result in your defeating CPS agency; provided that you are willing to Fight and represent Yourself, in the proceedings. It’s easy to do. And it’s time for you to get involved in the Fight. To add, this method is Free of Charge. This way, you would not be left out ‘in-the-dark’, and You’ll no longer have to feel clueless, about what is going on in your case-proceedings. But We Will Need To Take Action, Immediately. If you’re ready to take control, Email me | InquiryFolders22 @ gmail.com
We are here to help You.
Our Team, has a near flawless success-rate, with regards to CPS, returning Children to their Parents.
– Carlos
Carlos says
Jatana,
Thank You for Your reaching out to us.
We can definitely help you with regards to your CPS/DHFS case.
Please Email me: InquiryFolders22 @ gmail.com
Let us Act, urgently. We wish to hear from you.
Carlos says
Write back to me at the same email please. Carlos
S says
Can you please help me ? I have a messed up case with my grandchildren it’s unbelievable. I live in Missouri if anyone can please help me.
S says
Can you help me please ? I live in Missouri and my story is crazy.
LG says
Best of luck to you, Michael. It sounds as if you consented to some safety plan or something similar. To be blunt, that was your first mistake. You will now have to jump through all the CPS hoops and hope you get your kid back. This happens all the time.
Your best course of action may very well be to consult with a civil rights attorney and see about suing in Federal Court, because you probably won’t get anywhere in family court.
Do your best to make all court dates and provide all the documentation. Do not speak with CPS, lest they add anything more. Do not sign anything that would limit your civil rights in any way – including limiting your parental rights. Get an attorney with the appropriate licensing, expertise and experience. If I were you, I’d get two of them: one for family court, and one for Federal court – but I’m not an attorney.
Consenting to the drug test was possibly one of the worst things you could’ve done. You should’ve retained a competent CPS defense attorney (family law attorney) before you ever contacted CPS. A quality attorney might even have contacted your CPS worker on your behalf – and would have worked to have halted violations of your rights before they started.
Frankly, had it been me, I think I actually would have contacted a civil rights attorney before having contacted CPS – since CPS appeared to have taken your child from you for no reason, and did not contact you. That strikes me as a pretty substantial civil rights violation right there.
May others learn from your experience.
Good luck.
Becky says
My sons daughters were taken by CPS from their mom, due to her drug use. They contacted my son but would not let him talk to or see them. He hadn’t been with her for 2 years and had nothing to do with them being taken, but was treated like a criminal from day 1. CPS NEEDS to go! They are not doing what they are suppose to do!
Carlos says
In reply to all concern. Please note, all Courts, (Judges), will fight a Pro Se Litigant in every turn. Regardless. From the the lowest Court to the Federal Court.. As a Pro Se litigant you will have a difficult time. But is not a Lost cost. Sometimes hiring an Attorney is fruitless. They keep you in the Dark until is over. And, you, as a harmed victim, wonder why am I submitting to everything the opposing side wants when I’m in the Right?
The answer is relatively simple, you hired an allied to the opposing side., What can we do to correct this Corruption? FIGHT.. Don’t stop. You have to understand, you are not fighting against CPS, or your local Government, you are fighting the Judicial System. If you have a voice to argue, than you can fight. If you are able to stand before a Judge, make an Argument, you will be preserving the Record for an Appeal. You can prevail. I know, you ask yourself a question, I don’t know what to do or even how to start? There is no one better then you. I will await for a Reply from the ones that need help. Carlos
Shanai says
Hi im a parent of 9 im currently need help WITH me getting appeal my very unjust and we are victims of discrimination. False accusations false removal and im begging for any one to hear my case and help me return my children home please help Shanai.1986burnett7-at-yahoo.com we were wronged and are mentally and emotionally damaged
Carlos says
You have x amount of days to file for a reconsideration After you move towards an appeal. Sometimes is 15 days from a judgement. If you are within that time frame there is time. Write back
Ralph says
Hi my name is Ralph I’m dealing with some of the same things in the state of Utah because of a family member I’ve been dealing with for one yr now I’m going sue them in court fedal it is a civl cars agins DCFS I’m trying to get civl lawyer to filling a law sue on them for all of the Injust and worng doing being a harm by them get online and look up civl lawers for lowest price you can
Bobby says
Carlos,
I agree with you wholeheartedly, but it is difficult for everyone not knowing where to start or what to do. I am currently in the process of fighting C.P.S. and trying to go after two separate offices in two separate states and no idea where to begin. It would be wonderful if someone had referrals to access.
Carlos says
Hello bobby, first, there is a time limit (STATUTE OF LIMITATION). SECOND, TO PURSUE CPS IS NOT SIMPLE. YOU CAN’T PURSUE ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY WITH ANY CAUSE. UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN’T GO ANY FURTHER WITHOUT DETAILS AND TIME LINES OF YOUR CAUSE. AND THIS IS NOT THE PROPER FORUM. WRITE BACK. CARLOS
Lorie says
Good luck
Bobby says
Carlos,
I am certainly willing to speak directly or contact you in a separate forum. Please let me know what would be acceptable, & will follow through in much greater detail regarding the case. Thank you.
Carlos says
Please write to dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com. thank you. Carlos
Jenny says
Hi Carlos I can really use your help I have been fighting with cfs for 3 years I have done everything even have my certificates my visits got reduced only after I completed my services and never once in 3 years has there been a concern during my visits yet my visits are always supervised and only 2 hours 1 time per month and now that I have completed what I was told to do they are now pushing for adoption I told the judge I have proof I completed everything and she said she don’t care about what I have done and she’s going to terminate my right please help me
Carlos says
Is there a final order entered? If there is the clock is running and need to act by filing a motion. Contact me at dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com. see you soon, carlos
Jill says
I am looking to do something about my granddaughter and daughters case was handled. It has been open since may. My daughter died July 25th. She was depressed had inquired about needing mental health assistance . She was promised help the caseworkers quit. Now I get contacted today and the man says I can call you back? I just buried my daughter why they took her baby because the father failed a drug test. They promised help to keep the family together ! I’m broken
Carlos says
Hello Jill, my deepest condolences to you and your family for your lost. Contact me at dsame1_2000-at-yahoo.com. Please provide me the status of the chase. Note, as a grandparent, you have rights. If there is a pending matter I need to know. Contact me regardless at the provided email. Again my prayers to all.
Heather says
Hey Carlos, I have reached out to two emails you have shown and I’m on appeal now and My appellate Attorney is now acting like the three court appointed attorneys have and did not mention in my appeal ineffectiveness of council like I asked her to. The documents the county attorney filled for Jurisdiction transferring and consolidating cases from another county I believe are false because i went on my own gut telling me to inquire about Jurisdiction and now a year and half later what I got back says that the prior court has Jurisdiction and my baby has not been a subject to a suit affecting parent child relationship. please can you respond ASAP.
Raymon says
Hello Carlos do you have any advice dhs has filed a suit for full termination of mine and my fiances 2 children we have been to court 3 times since they were granted temp custody and since the 1st hearing since removal the denied us both an attorney since the start we were denied 2 separate times when we have been indigent from start and now finally after I filed pro se then the last hearing we were granted each an attorney and a continuation for 4 months do you think I can do something since being denied twice before with nothing different every time and the fact that they originally entered for 1 accusation then to disappear for a couple months then come back in and file an emergency removal for something totally different without having closed out the original allegation and for it to be completely disregarded now please any info this is in tx
Kaci says
Hi Carlos. I am in desperate need of some help/advice. I am currently trying to save the$7000 retainer the lawyer wants to help me with this case against CPS and the ad litem they appointed who is the only reason my children are in their 4th foster home after being beaten and sexually abused for a year in one CPS wouldn’t take them out of. I would of got them back when I was supposed to if the caseworker and my court appointed failure hadn’t teamed up to hide my drug test results from the judge. My children have been severely abused by these people and I want them to pay. I have a long history of messing up but have been consistent since my son was born whom is suffering from cerebral palsy. I need help. these people are taking advantage of my mistakes to abuse innocent children and I will not stop fighting until they are shut down. Please contact me at kcjgarcia-at-outlook.com I would love any input I can get. until then I will sit here reading and continuing to save up the money to maybe have a voice. I will be protesting on the 22nd. its time to stand against them
adam walker says
hi my names adam im from omaha nebraska cps has been called on me now 9 times just in the last 6 months 7 of them with in the month of February i recently was just cleared by cps 08/05/2020 they are back at my door today 8/13/2020, i let my son whom i have full custody of go to his grandfathers for a day or 2 while i went to the doctors for sever abdominal pain, cps came in side said that joe was taken by his mother with out my permission or knowledge to there office on Tuesday morning and told them that i had smacked him and gave him a black eye, so today the 13th they come in to my home and they said they know i hit him because he told them i did, i have never laid my hands on my son and having cps in my life every single month since January this year so now i expect them and have everything in order, i dont know what to do CPS is literately being weaponized to harass me by my sons mom whom has no rights what so ever, i dont know what to do i want to sue for harassment, i got joe back at 7:00 tonight and i asked him what happened to his eye with no hesitation he told me he fell at his moms, please help me!
Monica says
I am a victim of family violence and in reporting the incidences CPS got involved. I’ve been refused help by the case worker and instead I have been revictimized by her. She threatened to remove my kids if I refused a drug test, so I reluctantly took the drug test and passed. I do not do drugs what so ever. But because I refused to continue to take more drug tested shes gone out of her way to ensure my kids were removed. She falsified her report which was used to have my kids removed. I have maintained a job for over a year, I have my kids and I a very nice apt, plenty of food in the apt and very clean even upon surprise inspections by CPS. I’ve had my kids in school via the Internet, they are very well clothed, and ive never let them be abused in any way. CPS has no reason to remove my kids but the case worker falsified her report and I can disprove every false accusation. My kids were removed for a lil over 2 weeks until my sister was finally able to gain temporary custody until the final disposition in court which is on 13th this month. Even though my sister had already been approved the case worker had made sure to make things more difficult by her continued investigations into my sister. Just today the case worker is spotted at my sisters neighbors house I’m assuming to see if she can get any dirt on my sister. She is trying to get the kids to go with their fathers whom are the ones the family violence’s cases are on.( I have 2 baby Daddy’s.) The case worker has lied at every chance to keep my kids away from me. Is there anything I can do to stop her or maybe file a suit against her or CPS?
Rebecca says
I have no clue where to start or what to do. I’ve contacted many attorneys, pro bono’s (what a joke those are ), legal libraries, legal clinics , Senators, Governor, and even the Department of Justice at the White House, and still no help I just don’t understand our Justice system. It is NOT there for the People! I’m sure they do it purposely. So you have to pay $5,000 – $25,000 for a attorney. In my book , it’s RANDSOM! The average people they take children from has no way to pay that kind of money out. So there is no equal justice for the low income. Very wrong!
And it was all done during COVID 19 to top it off. How is that even legal??
Korey says
This happened to my friend in Colorado…she is in Ohio now…can she get a civil rights attorney in Ohio to sue CPS in Colorado…I went to school for Criminal Justice and looked over her case and believe 100% that her civil rights were violated by CPS taking her son but can an Ohio Civil rights attorney sue Colorado CPS?
Linda Martin says
Korey – I don’t know for certain if an Ohio lawyer could sue Colorado CPS. It would be filed in federal court, so maybe. Ask some Ohio civil rights lawyers – they’d be able to tell you. They may offer a free phone consultation.
a clay says
CERTAIN RIGHTS ARE “A FEDERAL QUESTION,” AND ARTICLE III COURTS HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION, IT DEPENDS STATE COURTS CAN HEAR CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES JUST AS FEDERAL COURTS DO, AS LONG AS THE OTHER PARTY SUBMITS TO JURISDICTION… YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK UP FED STATUTE TITLE 42 USCA 1985(2) (AND OTHER PARTS, IT MAKES PRIVATE PERSONS LIABLE WITHOUT THE COLOR OF LAW REQUIREMENT LEANING MORE TOWARDS EQUAL PROTECTION VIOLATIONS WHEREAS 1983 LEANS TOWARDS DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS, YOU CAN REACH BOTH UNDER BOTH THESE STATUTES, BUT PRO SE LITIGANTS ARE TREATED AS TRASH BY THE FEDERAL JUDGES IN MANY CASES, THEY WAY I SEE IT, IF THE LOCAL IS CORRUPT AND THEY WANT IT THAT WAS THE ARTICLE II COURTS DON’T GIVE A DAMN AND THROW CASES OUT EVEN AS TO GO AS FAR AS TO TAKE LANGUAGE, OUT OF YOU PLEADINGS AND FOCUS ON THAT AS A CLAIM, WHEN ITS NOT, THEN THROW YOU OUT, THIS CONFUSES THE PRO SE LITIGANT AND ALL APPEALS COURT AND MANY LAWYERS KNOWS THIS, IN SHORT, PEOPLE WHO FILE SHOULD GET TO KNOW OTHERS WHO ARE FILING TO TRACK COURT ACTION AS SUCH WRONGS, OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES ARE SEEING THESE CRAZY ACTIONS BY DSS BUT FOR EVERY CASE OF SEEING FALSIFYING OF ACCUSATIONS BY DSS THERE ARE 100’S A FEDERAL JUDGES CLERK IS MAKING UP SOME ALICE IN WONDERLAND RESPONSE TO TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO REDRESS THE GOVERNMENT FOR WRONGS DONE. AND TRYING TO BRING THIS TO LIGHT WITHIN THE CASE THAT HAPPENED YOU’LL BE BLACKLISTED BY EVERY COURT THEREAFTER. LOST IN ALL THIS IS THE FACTS WHERE YOUR CHILD IS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND THE GOVERNMENT KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO GET AWAY WITH DESTROYING YOUR FAMILY BEFORE THAT NEXT LEVEL FEDERAL JUDGE. ITS NOT JUST A MATTER OF HAVING A WRONG AND YES IF IT INVOLVES THINGS LIKE “LIBERTY INTEREST” WHICH YOU CAN GOOGLE AND SEE MANY CLAIMS THAT FALL UNDER THAT TERM, WHICH MAKES YOUR CASE VIABLE FOR FEDERAL COURT. IF YOU DIDN’T WATCH THE IMPEACHMENT DEBACLE AND I AM NOT A TRUMP FAN OR ANY OF THE OTHERS, BUT THAT IS SCARY, THE LAWMAKERS CONSPIRED TO OPENLY BREAK EVERY LAW IN THE BOOK, BOTH SIDES… PURELY THEATRICS AND THAT’S WHERE THEY HOLD THE HEALTH, WELFARE AND SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AS SOME THEATRICAL EVEN MEANWHILE IN MANY CASES I HAVE FOLLOWED KIDS KILLED THEMSELVES AS HAVE PARENTS AND THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IN TO DISTANCE THE JUDGES AND STATE PERSONS AWAY FROM THEM BEING THE OBVIOUS CAUSE.
Carlee says
Oh my God. I am so appalled after reading that. How absolutely terrifying?! There has to be a way to change this… I would really like to speak with you one on one somehow. I am currently in the process of appealing the erroneous wrongful termination of my parental rights to my medically fragile son and I’m pro se at this point because my “attorney” before ever even speaking to me filed something saying he believes I don’t have any issues with merit to bring before the court of appeal. Which is total nonsense, but after reading your comment it makes a little more sense why that happened. I’ve felt like there is just someone at every junction waiting to thwart any attempt I make at seeking Justice for myself or my baby. It’s mind boggling really… But like I said, I don’t know how to make it happen but I would really like to pick your brain about all of this. I’ll check back occasionally to see if you respond. And I just want to say, if you’re the one being subjected to all of that craziness, I honestly feel for you and I’ll pray for you to be able to find some peace and retribution for all of the cruelty you and your child have been forced to endure. God bless you and don’t give up. There’s a way through this, we just have to find it.
Liz says
Hi Linda,
Do you happen to know what the statute of limitations is in California to bring a civil suit against CPS?
Linda Martin says
Liz, I don’t know what the statute of limitations is but in a lot of cases it is two years. You should definitely contact an attorney for more information about this.
Kevin says
Hi I had a quick question…..im looking to sue but heres why and do I have a case in Oklahoma? I have 3 kids, 5 years, 3 years and 6 months old. CPS was called 4 months before this and we passed and since then the caller got mad and called again for a new caseworker. Well the CPS worker had the 5 year olds other mom steal him and take him to her house to avoid the case and foster system….Then shows up next day(Tuseday) and meets me and other 2 kids and gives us a rundown of complaints and sees they are all false and tells me she will be in contact in a few days(I have no phone aswell and she knows this at this point) the next day(Wednesday) a family member I have not seen nor trust in along time shows up at my door saying I have a Saftey Meeting CPS said be there at 1pm Thursday. CPS was here night before and said nothing and I already had plans but reguardless I did not believe since CPS worker said noting. Nest day(Thursday) we missed meeting for good cause(To Fix our Housing and all can be proved), Then the next day(Friday) CPS worker shows up with 2 cops and takes my 2 kids into protective custody and claims it was for missing the meeting…NOTHING ELSE. She gave us the DA or judge signed bs papers and left. Come Monday we had Court and during court she lied and said we were On Drugs, Fleeing with kids, not seeking proper medical treatment and even made up a false police report that we were arrested with kids in car for snorting drugs!She commited Purgury for one and said to keep kids outa home and we did not even get a chance to defend ourselfs. Well its been 32 days and we have a DA meeting(who she lied to aswell to get the overnight custody to begin with) and after that our next court hearing. Our kids are in foster care…we have not seen them or talked to them since they were taken. We can prove and have evidence for all our accusations and she has not proved 1 thing is true or 1 strand of evidence to support her claims. We have now missed my sons 3rd birthday and my daughters first Chrismas. There is a lot of deails aswell that have happened but I wont go into that but just off this what do you think? CPS meests us once for 10mins and takes kids from us in a span of 4 days. I just need advice this is nuts and ongoing and everyday more lies. We were discriminated aginst due to Lifestyle and so much more…PLEASE HELP
Kristy says
If you have Facebook there are several groups with Lot’s of help & people including lawyers who will fight cps… Search on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/613398838747601/
a clay says
GET IN FRONT OF THIS, BE MINDFUL THESE CPS PERSONS GET MONEY TO STEAL YOUR KIDS AND LIE LIKE NOBODY EVER HAS, SEE IF THERE IS A STATE CASE NUMBER AND IF THERE ISN’T YOU NEED TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN TO FILE FOR A RESTRAINING ORDER (USUALLY YOU CAN FIND THE FORMAT ONLINE AND USUALLY FOLLOWING STATE LAW IT’S RULE 65 (B). RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, I HAVE NOT BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO USE WHAT I TELL YOU, THEY KNEW I HAD SOME LEGAL BACK GROUND, BUT GETTING IN FRONT OF THIS, BEING THE MOVING PARTY ON AN ISSUE BEFORE THEY ACT ON IT AND YOU, UNDER THE CPS DSS NORMAL ACTIONS, BAD THINGS HAPPEN AND YOU DON’T GET A HEARING ON THE ISSUE, YOU MAKE THE MOVE. STAY FOCUSED.
Robin says
I have a child protection services open case but they have kidnapped my three children my oldest is 16 my oldest daughter is 14 then the youngest is 12 i have not sign no paper work or send them back and i also haven’t seen my children in three years and I’m very worried about them i am not allowed near them please help me i have every piece of paper they have sent me i keep calling but nobody returns my calls please please please help me or tell me what should i do thank you
vanessa caillouette says
Despite of many calls and complaints to CPS about 2 children being neglected and abused and also knowing the mother of these 2 babies 10 months old baby girl and 2 year old little boy had mental issues they did nothing to protect them…The mother left both babies in the car from 10am til 11pm that night strapped in there little car seats with the windows closed shut..these babies suffocated to death…After denying time and time again that he was my grandson because the mother had just got married and her new husband signed birth certifate claiming the baby as his son, I honestly finally gave in and thought what he wasn’t my grandson…Well sadly to say it turns out he was indeed my grandson. After the fact they came out and told us this…CPS DID NOTHING TO PROTECT THESE BABIES DESPITE OF ALL THE ALLEGATIONS THIS MOTHER HAD AGAINST HER…And now she’s been offered a plea to only be held accountable for one child’s death they’re dropping the other…I guess the other baby didn’t count or matter :(…………..How does this happen????
Tish says
Hello my name is Tish, and my older children have been removed from home 3x and my youngest 1x straight from the hospital. They are continously being removed because they have medical issues. When I care for them the way they need, DCYF tells me I need to do what another provider wants and if I don’t then my children will be removed for medical neglect. In order to keep my children home I do as I’m told and when it doesn’t work my children are still removed from home. Would this be concidered a case and if so what would be the proper steps to take? I just want my children home.
Linda Martin says
Tish, you will have to consult with attorneys in your area to see if you have a case against DCYF.
lorie haight says
the thing is no attorneys around my area will have enough guts to take on CPS, i know i have a case but just dont know where to turn too will legal aid be able to help
Linda Martin says
No harm in asking legal aid. You can also look at the attorney websites and see who might give free consultations by phone. Also try attorneys in nearby counties as local attorneys may be hesitant to go up against local CPS administration in court. Another thing you could try is to go to the courthouse to look for cases similar to yours in the public records database, and see who the attorneys are who filed those cases.
Rose says
I’m having the same issues can you call me 6467023778
Tameca says
Hello my name is Tameca i need your help in a wrongfully cps case im a CNA1 the father is retired 23years army we need your help it’s lies and things being done on cps thats not true please contact us so we can explain the case
Linda Martin says
Tameca, I wish I could help but am not allowed to work on cases as I’m not an attorney… I’m just an internet publisher and writer.
Donnell says
I am a grandmother who filed a claim against my granddaughters’s case worker.. She made very rude remarks and insulted the priest of my church about our faith. The Worker received time off and had a permanent mark on her record. We have had rights to intervene in the case. But they refused to even say the home study was complete. She was placed back on the case and has embarked on a campaign of retaliation against me. I am an Engineer, hard working Christian grandmother who has Never been in trouble with law. Her grandfather is a disabled vet from Iraq. Why would grandparents have to pay for or have to take 15 drug test when there is no history of drug use, nor was any history proven through their testing. We live on 26 acres have a 6 bedroom beautiful home. we can provide financially and lovingly for our 8 year old granddaughter.. The case worker wants single teacher whom has an alternative life style to adopt my granddaughter.
Linda Martin says
Donnell, did you ask your state legislator to look into this case?
J.R. Brodie says
checkout this website:
http://kidjacked.com/legal/handbook.asp?s=9
If you need someone to talk to about your situation??? Contact me anytime. ooglejr-at-gmail.com
Stefanie says
Please help me stefaniemckane-at-yahoo.com
My kids were just taken and I can’t wait til they say. I believe I have a case to sue.
Wesley says
I was working with DHS to gain custody of my two Nieces, all parental rights had been removed and I was their only living relative. Just 90 days before they were to be placed with me the oldest died from medical neglect,(she had a known type one diabetes) I was devastated. The girls had been moved 5 times in 2years due to various abuse/neglect among the foster families. I want compensation for the younger child, she should have had a sister to grow up with, now she has a tiny box with a few pictures. In your opinion, is this a case that could be successful?
Linda Martin says
Yes, please consult an attorney – try looking for an attorney in your area who might handle that type of case. Many attorneys will give you a free initial consultation.
Wesley says
Hi Linda,
I am in MI and the Girls were in OKDHS foster system, I assume you that you would recommend that I search in OK for a Lawyer? Do you have any reference or known experiences with cases handled from out of state?
Thanks
Wes
Linda Martin says
Wesley, yes, if the DHS / CPS case was in Oklahoma, you need an attorney from that state, or one who is licensed to practice law in that state even if living out of state. I don’t know anything about cases handled from other states… as I understand it each state has their own system and their own bar association.
Nina says
Is there a statue of limitation on filing a lawsuit against them. If a child is abused while in their care can they sue
Linda Martin says
Nina, yes, there’s a statute of limitations for filing lawsuits against CPS – consult a local lawyer to find out about your state’s limitation laws… and yes, you can sue if a child is abused in state custody.
JH says
Hello,
To be brief, my experience with CPS in NYS has been quite nightmarish as well. I’m preparing a suit for violations under the USC, NYS’s social services law and family court act, as well as for violating court orders. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Twice within the past few months, January and April, CPS has became involved through reports of abuse made by my ex. Both times, they came to my house the day after it was made and told me they had decided that my children would be staying with my ex while they conducted their investigation, regardless of the court order specifically placing them with me. Both times the cases were later closed as “unfounded”. Neither time did they get, or even file for, a court order.
Shannon says
I live in NYS and Cps investigates me, it’s been 13 years and I got 50/50 in 2015 but it’s been Horribly painful for all this time. It’s a very long story but I want to take it to Federal Court.
Anjelica says
I am Anjelica and my husband and the Department of Family Services has been switching my court dates with the dad of my children, as well as switching court documents, drug tests, they also have been hacking into the computer systems of hospitals, several government agencies, switching paperwork with their own children. Like how they are hacking in now because the website isn’t safe anymore. I actually have a very winnable case with the ending results several arrest within the agencies. I can pinpoint all of them out and with proof. As well as get all my children back if someone will take my case. 90nine-5seven1-17one9 San Bernardino, California
Linda Martin says
Anjelica – I suggest you keep on directly contacting civil rights attorneys who can sue in federal court – sounds like you will need help with that case.
Emelda says
I need some help can you help me 61two24nine2two07
Linda Martin says
Emelda, the only help I can give is what is already on this website. I don’t work on cases individually and am not allowed, by law, to do so as I’m not a lawyer.
Shawna says
If u have proof about them lying no 51a file on u and they lie to the judge how to file what in federally court
Kirsten says
My husband owned a daycare for 10 years and he was falsely accused and arrested for raping a set of twins. They DPW closed us down. After 18 months they dropped the charges. We are suing and they just dismissed the case against the DPW person who signed the removal / closedown order because it is not clearly established law that she should have investigated it and not just signed off. There was no evidence and the boy twin said nothing happened and the girl twin has no consistent story, even claimed it happened in her house 2 times and her mom walked it. Do you know of any cases where daycares have been closed down for this. For instance I was the owner, he could have just been removed. Thank you.
Linda Martin says
There are some famous cases but I haven’t heard of anything like this in a long time. McMartin Preschool in Southern California is the first thing that comes to mind but I know there are others.
Chanta says
my kids were taken April 2018 due to allegations of domestic violence. I was being beat on and my kids jumped in to help. DSS says that that was failure to keep my kids safe. I had no clue that a knife was held to my daughters throat by the guy who beat on me until i read the court documents. I have completed all components of my case plan but they keep finding crazy reasons to not give my kids back. they keep saying that they are waiting on a therapist to say its ok for my kids to be returned to me i did nothing wrong but they are treating me as such.
Linda Martin says
Chanta, if you’ve completed all parts of your case plan, have you been asking for increased visitations? What does your case plan say about visitations with your children?
Chanta says
No my visits have not been increased. In fact dss just said I’ve violated the visitation rules by speaking of my daughters father. So we have officially took several steps back.
They ask me to see another therapist. I did she had no recommendations. I’m lost as what to do.
Amber Tavener says
Im going through serious similar situation if not worse in the state of Pennsylvania.
Desaree says
My children were taken October 2018. They were taken on false allegations. My son is mentally handicap. And needs lots of help and 24/7 care. My husband and I are clean and sober and have proved that. We have jumped through everything hoop they have asked. Even though they have violated my civil rights since day 1. They have discriminated since day 1. And has committed perjury multiple times. My son is now half way across the county., in a group home from misbehaved children. That is not what is wrong with my son. They keep coming up with reasons as to not send my children home. I don’t understand how there is no one to intervene with the corruption of this agency. Where are the ones who are supposed to insure our rights are not violated. I feel as though these people are going to get away with some much! They need to go down, they need to pay for breaking the laws, just as I would had I.
Linda Martin says
Desaree, search the web to see if there’s a ombudsman for child welfare in your state. Some states have them and some don’t. How old are your children?
Midge says
My son was taken false accusations,, I want to fight this,
Ronnie says
Hi All,
I’m posting here hoping someone can give advice. I have reached out to countless others and I have received absolutely nothing.
No attorney will get near my case, even local reps and congressional leaders won’t even talk to me.
Very long story short…my daughter was stolen from me in Oct 2016. I denied (over 90 allegations) at arraignment and after a 2 day trial I was cleared of all charges (mom consented) and all case plan tasks were already complete ( Jan 2017) However, the judge and the GAL to this day keep coming up with a new hoop for me to jump through. I get one visit a week, supervised in a public place.
I win my case, had full custody of my daughter when this came up and nobody has any answers. Everyone I talk to says I’m full of it, this case can’t be real. I have hundreds of pieces of paperwork that prove fraud, perjury, document falsification etc…..
Jenny says
This is so similar to my case it’s crazy.. please contact me at mfdaizy74[at]yahoo.com
Jenny
Jacque says
I need a lawyer who i can hire. Social services had me sign adoption papers for my 3 year old and not my other 2 children and told me it was my only option. It has now been 106 days since i have seen or heard my babys voice. I am not a bad parent but i do have an addiction and that is what they are holding against me. I choose to be a mother, not an addict. I had done everything they wanted and they lied and did everything possible they could. My 2 other boys only see their brother twice a month. Its destroying not only me but them as well.
Kimberly Case says
Same here. I love the line I chose to be a mother, I did not choose to be an addict
Jenny says
Please contact me at mfdaizy74[at]yahoo.com. .your case is not unusual for this corrupt agency that is supposed to help families not destroy amd sever them!
Jenny
Bobbie says
My children were taken July 2018 I was told I had 18 months to complete the safety plan i was given before they would even consider adoption or other permanent options. They’re father was told the same thing.
We’re doing everything we have been told to do and working through our safety plans. But we were informed last week they have already started the adoption paperwork.
Oh not to mention the first cps worker we had ran a red light and hit another car with my children not to mention my children weren’t in seat belts. As well as them telling me my son wasn’t autistic had him retested and guess what hes autistic.
Also my autistic son repeatedly complained of mistreatment and cruelty in his first foster home and was hes just lying.
They only moved him because the foster mom didn’t want him anymore.
So they transfer my son leaving my daughter there. My children have never been apart and it traumatized them both 6 months later they finally put them together again only because my son’s therapist told them it was so traumatizing on my son hes autism regressed extremely bad.
Someone help tell me that can’t get away with this.
Linda Martin says
Bobbie, I’m so sorry your family is being traumatized and torn apart by CPS. Have you looked for an attorney to sue them? Someone besides a court appointed juvenile court attorney? I think you’d have a good case with that traffic accident, at the very least… but take your story to someone to see if you have a case. They may be trying to adopt the kids out early to avoid having you file a lawsuit against them regarding the accident.
lorie haight says
where can i find a lawyer in Oregon that will sue cps, i know i have a case and case was closed in June of 2018
concerned grandmother says
My grandson was taken at birth a week ago by DCF claiming “concern” of substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health issues by my daughter-in-law and son. All drug tests have returned negative for both mom and child, yet DCF took child, placed him in non-relative foster care and will not return calls or emails. The DCF worker called mom yesterday along with a “DCF” nurse to ask her to sign a release to medicate newborn because the social worker said “he’s withdrawing from drugs”. This is extremely alarming to me, as it appears this worker is trying to build a case against them and putting this child in jeopardy by going to the extreme of medicating him for something all doctors stated he in NOT withdrawing from, just to prove to the courts that he’s being abused.
All of her allegations have so far been unfounded and it appears she is desperate to make something stick to validate her claim for court tomorrow. So far she’s been allowed to do a lot of alarming things and I’m afraid she’s going to pull something tomorrow to ensure my grandson stays in DCF custody. We’ve reached out to attorneys which really we cannot afford and so far feel hopeless in fighting a department that seems corrupt in their practices. Can this worker claim that the mother refused to sign release to medicate and claim that DCF had to make decision to do so themselves? So afraid! We need help!
Linda Martin says
Concerned Grandmother – yes, the caseworker seems desperate to cover her own errors by making a case when there is none. Take doctor reports to court, if you have them, and if you don’t have them, request them ASAP for evidence. If mom and dad sign a guilty plea or stipulation in court they will never be given a trial opportunity to prove their innocence. Be sure you have enough copies of your evidence for everyone: judge, your attorney, their attorney, etc… and keep the original copy for yourself.
Aspen ferris says
Hi I am curious if you ever got a resolution to your case what state are you in prayers that all things work out
Tiffany says
Linda Martin. My Grandson taken while i was babysitting i had no reason not to. Answer the door non custodial parent had a baby at hospital positive for drugs and that brought them to my home… My Grandson is living with me and his father since birth my son has full custody. Is not with the mother. Cps sent a letter wants ssn birth certificate and all savings life insurance policy why i have asked foe placement everyone igboring me should i give up those important docs California this happened i am planning filing federal court for return of child hippas corpses they will not place him with any family member nor contacted them
Tony says
Linda, you’re a strong voice for the people! Please let me know if there’s any Civil Rights Attorneys that can practice both in Indiana and Kentucky.
Another Concerned Grand Parent says
We have a similar situation in Oregon. 3 year old was removed due to suspected substance abuse – placed in relative foster care removed due to a trespassing ticket from 16 years ago – placed in community foster care – 4 days later when parents finally were able to see her- she had been beaten and had not used the bathroom in 4 days. Went to court and the Judge in Jackson County Oregon defended the abuse – making it clear that this child is atleast not in a home with parents that may use drugs. The child has been in 5 homes in 7 months. 3 attorneys fought to save this child and the judge still ruled to keep her in foster care. There was never any suspicion of abuse or neglect. What is going on in Jackson County Oregon Child Welfare is sickening and they claim they are un touchable legally. We did not believe it but we are seeing it with our own eyes. It is legalizing child abuse and neglect as long as it a foster parent doing it. It is legal
lorie says
what is the statue of limitations in oregon on sueing cps
Linda Martin says
Lorie, I don’t know what the Oregon statute of limitations is. It is often two years, but could be different there. Talk to an attorney. Most will give you a free consultation by phone.
Amelia Everheart says
My children were taken May 13, 2016 for a dirty home we were not living in. It has been 11 months and I moved to a new home December 2016, and my children are still not home. They have continually stomped on my cultural and religious rights throughout this whole ordeal and today, I went to drop my son off at his guardian’s and the woman had left my 5-year-old with a convicted felon (stalking and breaking and entering) who also has a history of violence and assault of siblings and myself. Where would I find an attorney to file kidnapping (for taking my children under false pretenses) and child endangerment (for my child being in a home with a felon and subsequently left in his care) charges against CPS?
Linda Martin says
Amelia – to find an attorney to sue CPS you can look at the records in your county courthouse – clerk’s office. Look to see what other cases have been filed against CPS and then look to find out what attorney filed the case. If you don’t find the right case against CPS in your county, look in nearby counties. It often helps to get an attorney from outside your county, who won’t be influenced by friendships he/she has within the legal community there.
Floyd says
Thank you for that advice. I also needed to know that. Been nice long enough and now I am turning the arrows back to them.
Lynn says
Just curious are these records open to the public? Can anyone look at cases filed against CPC?
Linda Martin says
Yes, there are probably a lot of similar cases available for the public to read. Check here: PACER – Find a Federal Case.
Breanna says
I need help to Make A Federal Case against CPS to A worker That was on the Case 2016 to 2018 In San Francisco county Her Name on the Case File is [name deleted] in San Francisco on that date Can you please Send me What I need to get my Case up And running Please And Thank you The Worker name Is [name deleted].
Linda Martin says
Breanna, I have nothing to send out, sorry… I had to delete the caseworker’s name as I can’t publish them here.
Samantha says
Linda do you know if there is a statue of limitations for how long cps in Nebraska can be involved in a family it’s going
On five years my daughter has done everything but the worker and GAL keeps coming up with more things she has to do
Linda Martin says
I don’t know the Nebraska laws and regulations. You could find them online through Google. Look for “Nebraska state social service laws and regulations” – and probably you could get help on this from your attorney, who might be willing to explain the current rules. I think it would help also to go see your state legislator … https://nebraskalegislature.gov/ … ask that person to review what’s going on as it does seem five years is too long.
Dylan says
I have won trial on accusactions of domestic abuse. The judge still ordered a bip assessment. And they will not return my kids saying that paperwork is taking a while and etc… I also have proof of the cpi’s initial report that has been falsified. My kids have been injured and abused while in state custody. I’m now pursuing a lawsuit. I’m in the state of florida. Is there anyone that can help me.
Ronnie says
I just posted and looks like something similar to me. I’m also in Florida. Would like to put resources together if you’d like to speak about it.
Jennifer Prince says
I need some advice and any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. I was in Maryland’s foster care system, taken away from my father for physical and sexual abuse at age 11. I was placed in a system that caused more abuse than it prevented it seems. I was placed in a home where I was sexually abused by two adult males while in one of the many foster homes I’d been placed. I asked my social worker to have locks installed on my bedroom door because I was afraid, that sparked outrage in the home. I was harassed, intimidated, screamed at by the sexual predators calling me a liar in front of the family. Even after all of the abuse came into light, the state did not remove me from the home until sometime later. This forced me to endure more of this abuse longer. I have suppressed these feelings for years and the images as they go through my mind now are hard to stomach. This happened 19 or 20 years ago, I am now 34. As I confront these experiences, I can’t help but to feel as though the State of Maryland and CPS failed me. I read that the statute of limitations in Maryland for abuse is the age of 28. I assume that is if you are going after the abusers, I would like to go after the state. This is about bringing attention to this issue. I feel an incredible amount of guilt now because I feel like I could’ve prevented other kids being placed in that home. I cannot imagine how many other kids are experiencing the very same as I type this message. Thank you in advance for any advice.
Linda Martin says
Jennifer – you could consult an attorney but it is probable that the statute of limitations has tolled and there’s no way to get relief through the court system. Still it might be worth visiting an attorney with a free consultation offer, to get confirmation. Aside from that, if you want people to know what happened in your foster home, I suggest writing a book. I just finished reading “A Child Called It” by David Pelzer a few days ago. I don’t know if his story was 100% true (and his brothers deny it) but worth noting: it was a short memoir and I was easily able to read it in one afternoon. You don’t have to write a long book to be able to write a book with huge impact. This is a great time for former foster children to be writing memoirs… and they are easily published on Amazon, or maybe you could find a publishing company interested in your story.
There have been many, many foster children sexually abused by foster family members. Pedophiles found that foster parenting provided a way to get easy access to children whose parents were not there to protect them. And now, with the current accusations about pizzagate (I really hate that issue) … well, people are wanting to know if foster children are being channeled into situations like that.
In the past people have calculated statistics on the abuse of children in foster care homes. The numbers will change from year to year and we have to remember that many of the abuse situations in foster homes will not be fairly reported to or by the states. In general people can say children are ten times more likely to be abused in foster homes than in their natural family homes. But that’s not accurate. One would have to look at the latest statistics from Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics, and that’s something I haven’t done in several years. When I did, I compared abuse in foster care statistics with abuse in the general population to see which was more common. It always came out that abuse was more common in foster homes, by far.
Beth Yamiyn says
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says that 1 out of 6 children who are runaways are thought to be the victims of sex trafficking and that 86% of them were in the care of social services or foster care when they went missing.
http://www.missingkids.com/1in6
Beth Yamiyn says
Jennifer, can you please email me at freethebabies2016 at gmail dot com? I am working with a channel that is helping to get people’s stories out and raise awareness of the abuse that occurs through CPS. In getting your story out, it might open up more opportunities for you to pursue other ways of helping children. I am not sure what the limitations are on going after the state, but I would definitely keep researching it until you get an answer. I think there is no statute of limitation on fraud and maybe felonies, but you would need to double check because I am not sure of that. I am so sorry for what you had to endure. I hope that you have been able to come to a place of healing and peace in your life. I look forward to hearing from you.
Latosha says
Social Service are complete liars. I need a spokesperson to bring light to this darkness. My kids was taken from me over hearsay and I’m being harassed still not to mention they are trying to take my daughter who is 4 months old.
Amanda says
I was wondering if you are still exposing cases. I have been harassed through the anonymous # for 17 yrs. I received a letter from the Governor of Illinois in 2004 or 05 stating I had been harassed and apologizing, after 3yrs of being followed, and accusation after accusation being called in. In October 2017, in Miami-Dade County, FL my then 7yr old and 15yr old daughters were remanded to the state in court, after the Judge promised my children the prior day they were not being taken from me. This resulted from an accusation that my ex-husband hit me, which the police reports even proved was wrong. He was hit by my teenage daughter’s friend and had to undergo 2 nose surgeries. We still follwed their caseplan and completed it in the summer of 2018, which is when the caseworker quit after my children not being returned. My then 15yr old ran away from the gouphome she had been put in after being separated from her sister who was left in a grouphome for troubled teens and siblings, from 7yrs old-8yrs old. The home was shut down with a 24 hr notice, the court gave my daughter to the previous “house parents”, non relative, who had 6 open DCFS cases and an incomplete home study, and had abused and neglected my daughter horribly. Right after I won a supreme court case having my child moved from them, DCF placed her in a pre-adoptive home and attempted to terminate my parental rights. The TPR case was cancelled, as there was NO reason. They continue to keep my daughter from me, now 9yrs old, and my 17yr old who is still missing. I was told they are prolonging this in hopes I will give up. I have NEVER missed a session, but I have been left sitting for hours multiple times when they didn’t show up at all with my daughter. My visits are 1 1/2 hours supervised at the agency. They tried to say we no longer have a bond, which was also proven to be a lie. They are withholding all favorable evidence and comitting perjury. If you can, reach me, freedom aint free 78 at g mail. Thank you. I want to expose the agency, and more importantly save my children
Kelly Hall says
Absolutely write a book, it needs to get out that CPS doesn’t care about the children as long as their funding is on time and not disturbed. They make me sick!!
dee says
cps worker trying terminate reunification because when I was younger I gave up child to cps now it’s been 10 years now an I didn’t deserve have kids taken their useing past against me baby wouldn’t keep formula down I took him to doctors they sent him to hospital an took him saying I basically starved him not true later found out he had acid reflux still they won’t help or return my child now they say I fell asleep an wouldn’t wake up at feedings while in hospital not true
Beth Yamiyn says
Dee, can you leave an email for someone to contact you?
Tina says
Please email me pcs18466-at-gmail.com
Shelly says
How can I find a prosecution lawyer that doesn’t require upfront costs? That would only require a percentage of the winnings? My significant other and I have a very compelling case where CPS is very in the wrong. We have not had our son in a year… all based on false claims and lies. We have had courts adjourned more than 6 times (on CPS’s behalf) and they don’t give a damn. We have proof that they are completely wrong. Solid evidence. We need a GOOD lawyer that will fight for us and for our child. It would be best if the lawyer is in the Rochester or Syracuse NY area.
Please advise.
SCK says
You are not alone, NYS is out of control with CPS and allowing their actions to go unchecked. The lie cheat and steal. All trying to use the good name of the child as the reason. Perhaps it’s something specific to the region of NYS, we are in the Southern Tier and have almost the same situation, including discrimination from CPS against a certified disease. If you find any good lawyers like you mention you need please share the names, we must move fast.
chanelle says
I agree cps ruined my family and let me and my daughter slipped through the cracks and til this day 15 yrs later I have to fight and come up with absurd money to get my daughter back from the paternal grandmother. if anyone knows of resources or where to look because not only do they not give a damn referral numbers they give you not about shit I am in the state of texas. yes things need to get better not enough people are talking about this and getting things handled of how corrupt this government is.
Loren says
Hi
File a public corruption complaint against cps with the Fbi checkout my page “Texas stand your ground against cps corruption” there is a pin that lists all the agencies you can file complaints with. Also you can file complaints against them under the RICO ACT which that depends on what all has happened. RICO is a charge no one wants because of the severity of what is done to them if they pursue them under the act. It has already been done in other states.
Jennifer says
I’m in the same boat. It’s going on six years and my son is still not safe. CPS removed him from me and placed him with his father who at the time had PPOs against him, many police investigations and 2 suicide attempts. I have another son who is two years older than him and I got to keep him but they took my youngest. I have hard proof that the abuse my son sustained didn’t happen in my care. I spoke with one attorney and she told me she would never do cases in the county I live in because they “view the law differently.” It’s scary to think how many other children are in the same situation if not worse situation because of pure ignorance. I need an attorney as well who will work off commission.
deidre says
Reading thru the comments,my heart aches for those who have unjustly lost their children. My story is different. CPS refused to help my grandchild leave a horribly abusive home. We live in an area with more than twice, the national average of child abuse. The state of kids-for-cash & Penn State abuse scandal. Multiple people including teachers, neighbors, friends & family reported this abuse after being unable to help. CPS goes into the school, interrogates child & swears that ‘everything you tell us will be held confidential-we won’t tell your parents’ then they go into home, confront parents, telling them everything the child’s said. They snoop around & see food in cupboards & leave. Now, the parents are raging at the poor child. The abuse increases & the child’s now called “Narc , rat, etc” . CPS then closes the case until the next caller reports it again. By the 2nd or 3rd time, the child wises up & LIES. No , there’s no problems here…. They known they cannot trust anyone, by now. CPS also TELLS the abusers who called on them. So, the child loses support & the love of a person who cares because abusive parents know who reported them. The ‘reporter’ is then threatened by them too. CPS doesn’t help children. They’re either stealing them or ignoring them. They actually prevent extended family from saving them by blocking their actions to help. In this very rural area, I’ve called lawyers (6 of them).Most don’t want these cases at all. They insist you can’t win & want at least $5,000 while telling you , you probably won’t win. It is time to bring back the traditional family & allow the people/family to have the power of deciding what’s best for our children. I am shocked that CPS heard the details of the abuse (which are shockingly terrible)and acted like it was no big deal. These ‘social workers’ are monsters. I get sick of hearing about how they try so hard & have many more problems than most people. If they’re so troubled themselves, they shouldn’t be in this field of work. There’s a gang of abused/neglected kids from ages 8 to 18 who gather together & help each other in our small town. They help each other with comfort/support, food & clothes. They often speak of their dealings with the CPS & all echo this above statement. CPS workers- the entire entity is pure evil. God , help us all.
Chris says
“I am shocked that CPS heard the details of the abuse (which are shockingly terrible)and acted like it was no big deal. These ‘social workers’ are monsters. I get sick of hearing about how they try so hard & have many more problems than most people. ”
—I couldn’t have said it any better myself.
“CPS workers- the entire entity is pure evil. ”
—For the most part, that sounds about right..
mike says
Need help cps came to my house thinking someone else lived here, came in without permission and took my child. Now they are trying to terminate my rights,
Running Bear says
I’m an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe. My son has been on Dcfs for almost 3 years. Why does Los Angeles county not transfer my case to the Indian Unit. Our federal rights have been violated by Dcfs and our own Indian people ICWA. WHAT DO I DO?
Chris says
Running Bear….a suggestion I have for you, is to watch all of Shawn’s published deposition videos on YouTube.
If you Search YouTube with the two words: Deposition Shawn
then you will come up with many, and watch every video [of Shawn’s], one or two a day!
These types of study are what I call ‘crash coursing’ it and will give you tremendous insight into the policies and procedures and standard operating procedures of YOUR LOCAL CWS .
You need to UNDERSTAND
a) what they do,
b) what they can do,
c) what they commonly [have done] and do;
d) some of your legal rights / options, etc..
You need to figure out how to use everything [that they do] against them. Trust me, it’s possible.
My experience has been that the more ‘involvement’ / ‘interaction’ / ‘encounters’ oneself has with ‘them’ results in MORE EVIDENCE [in oneself’s favor] being produced!
Two rules of thumb I live by and others should figure out how to live by:
1) a) Be ABLE to INDEPENDENTLY PROVE IT and b) not just once but being abe to independently prove [whatever] at least 2-4 times!
For the confused, i.e. when it comes to ‘service’, I have service done in triplicate or quadruplicate, such as mailed twice (including via Certified) and personal process service two times. As a result, the ‘We/I never knew; never received it; never got Notice; were never served, etc. and are legal circuses best avoided despite being the one of the most common ‘dirty tricks/tactics’ employed in litigation).
Oh and a photograph of ‘personal service’ is a GREAT piece of evidence to independently prove what transpired [such as them being served].
2) Document EVERYTHING, the ol’sang was to GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING, on paper, the more the better. This same concepts applies today; however, with the addition to include MEDIA (not the kind you’re thinking) such as Photographs, Video, Audio, Security Camera Footage, etc.
Real example of a) using everything against them, and b) documenting everything:
I’m picture in my mind the benefits of investing in nice [security] camera systems and one work [office] place in particular. In that place, everything is recorded with every person, client, visitor, etc. walking in the door.
It’s surprising that government personnel in the company of private citizen(s) would choose to waltz into a work office [without cause] in the first place, but, [Oh yes, it’s happened and more than once] also do so in the process or furtherance of the commission of crime(s) is no longer surprising.
Regardless of falling under ‘harassment’ when unwanted individuals seek you out and come upon and/or enter you property, home, business, etc. it is a form of harassment under many circumstances .
So security camera systems is a great example/method of ‘documenting’ things while also being an example of using it against them.
In the particular incidents pictured in my mind, the wrong doers seeking out their victim and committing and/or furthering multiple crimes PRODUCED and results in MORE EVIDENCE against them being the VIDEO FOOTAGE which can be easily converted into STILL PICTURES also.
Thus another persons actions, activity, wrong doing, etc. can often be turned and used against them in litigation and legally. In the example above, we’ll just address the term harassment.
Thanks to the video footage, the behavior and actions of the ‘harassers’ could then be proven in court and is a great foundation and evidence in support of relief or remedy such as Restraining Orders, lawsuits, monetary damages, punitive damage’s, etc.
Others need to figure out how to document things better AND take the actions of wrong doers and then turn and use their own wrong doing against them, legally, publicly, credibility wise, etc.
Back on topic originally meant to convey:
You will learn and gleam ALOT OF VERY USEFUL AND IMPORTANT KNOWLEDGE from watching the Depo videos.
I’d save the best for the last and watch Riley’s last..
And take note of how cool and calm he is..
The head boss, the man at the top…….THE TOP….
I found it intriguing….to think about the personalities and characteristics, body language, thought processes, etc. of the ‘boss(es)’, the men at the top of any ‘criminal organization(s)’. Such individuals are far different than the low/bottom workers below them in their organization, whether it be the ‘Mafia’, Drug Cartel, or some ‘other’ criminal organization.
And the LAST bit of advice I’d give you is this:
Predators and Victimizers like and prefer ‘easy prey’ and will almost always AVOID difficult prey whom struggle and refuse to victimized willing and without struggle. (Carefully choosing words for previous paragraph).
Regardless of ‘winning’ a lawsuit against CPS….. Does anybody THINK or believe that CPS Workers, Administrative Staff, and/or Management Staff would voluntarily want to be Deposed? Inte…………. (too harsh of a word)…… Questioned under Oath, on the Stand, in Court?
Do you think such persons would be eager to explain themselves [under oath] in Court? Eager to be Cross Examined? Eager to be questioned and/or exposed in regards to any their [possible] wrong doing(s) or Crime(s)?
And I’ve previously spoken of everyone collectively joining their evidence together, resulting in being able to show a historical patter of criminal activity, wrong doing, behavior, etc.
Even those whom have gone public, in regards to a particular issue, person, agency, department, grievance, etc. and complained about such………I ask just one question:
Is the evidence, facts and details ALSO publicly available??
Or is just ‘your complaint’ whining and griping the only thing available to others??
IF a person were to go ‘pull’ and get copies of your court case file, would they feel like they won the lottery? Or feel like they wasted their time??
This is already too long..
Running Bear, please post a number or email address where I might be able to reach out to you offline and share some of my knowledge and experience with you..
Oh, and Running Bear, go Google “California BenchGuides” then PRINT OUT the applicable ones to you and study them; also Google and study as much as you possibly can on the Juvenile Dependency Court which is a whole’nother ‘cup of tea’ [as envisioning a circus] and I’m gonna guess that you presently have a 300 going. You may be able to use the ICWA in regards to the 300’s Jurisdiction. Learn how to ‘Subpoena’ stuff, and lastly, if not already, OBTAIN A COPY OF ALL your CPS records, reports, file, etc!!!!!
Antoine Mathis says
Please contact me 9174030261 I have a few questions I’d like to ask if not to much a bother
Rachel says
Hi running bear, have you asked to be transferred? Are you registered? I have a Icwa case, all I had to do was give them the tribe name. …just a warning my Icwa was not really better for me.
Jeremy says
There not going to do the work for you, so to speak. What you will need to do is go to family court in your new county or district and get custody rights set up. Then as long as your kid is in that county those rights apply. To you and your children and the mother. It depends on how you set it up.
Angelia says
Wow it’s sad that they never take the kids out of bad environments yet are so quick to take them from great parents that do the best they can. Wtf!
Tambra says
CPS WORKERS THINK THERE ABOVE THE LAW. THEY FEEL THEY HAVE POWER TO DO ANYTHING SAY ANYTHING WITH NO CONSEQUENCES. RECENTLY THE CPS WORKER THAT MARRIED MY SON TOLD ME SHE UNDERSTOOD WHY WE WERE BEAT HOW EVER SHE THINKS THEY SHOULD OF KILLED US.
I WANT TO SUE THE STATE OF TEXAS.
alex kelso says
Wow I’m going through the same thing with my daughters from CPs in Delaware county ny. My daughters tell me horrible things I call the hotline and every time it is unfounded. Cps went as far as to tell me to stop calling the hotline. Monday my daughters told me about being hit by mom and my youngest daughter was held in the air by her wrists by moms new boyfriend so mom could hit the child. I called the hotline and a cps supervisor called my kids mom and tipped her off and didn’t send a worker out till the next day at which point my daughters said they never told me that and they never get hit and once again unfounded. I have been fighting since June 2016… Getting to the end of my rope with these people don’t know what to do. Anyone with similar issues please contact me especially if Delaware county ny is involved.
Concerned dad
Akelso36[at]yahoo.com
Robert And Melissa Liston says
My grandson was taken from his father in July of 2015 and placed with me for 4 days the cps worker then came to my home interviewed him and left returning that night to remove him stating that she thought we would coax him even though he was not in the home when the neglect took place. Now me and my husband have jumped through hoops obtaining a foster care license and doing all the required classes. They even placed foster children with us last summer. We have UNSUPERVISED visits with our grandson every other weekend but they have refused to let him come live with us. Now they have made me take a parental fitness evaluation and when I offered to set it up and pay for it myself was told NO it had to be paid for though them and with someone they choose. I was told now that its a bad result. Why I ask do they let us have him unsupervised if they in any way thought we were gonna do something to this child? Why would they give us other peoples children but not our own grandson? None of this makes since to me its like they are grasping at straws to keep him from living with us
Rosetta says
Amen my husband and i have had my grandson for 2 years and 4 months as licensed foster parents doing excellent care for his special needs and now they want remove him from our home and place him in an unsafe foster home with 4 other children. I pray God will intervene in court on December 7th, 2016 and the Judge see the facts that this is unfair and gross negligence. It is not in the best interest of our grandson.
Nola says
I’m so sorry. I’m going thru a case again as a victim of stalking / domestic violence that I was smart enough to get out of myself and every night since March I’ve been up all hours just waiting riddled with anxiety they are going to take my boys ages 12/15. I’m scared. The formal reports are lies as is me My heart goes out to you. My boys are all I have ABC I know I am thier world too. I’m about ready to lose everything and with barely a grand in my pocket … Run away if they continue the harassment. I’m scared. I had a sudden, shocking passing death of very close friend/ neighbor with 2 little boys and I took my moms Ativan vs my Zanax . We NEED ALL non profits fight DCF. praying for you but more for everyone caught in Billiant clintons funding to steal kids. I kno w there’s powers in numbers. If there’s ways to connect. I’ll fight by your side.
Mary says
We are two grandmothers trying to save our grandsons from being sold off under DSS adoption scam. DSS in Buncombe county NC has tore our families apart, lied in court, lied to us, didn’t get the family any services to help us. So please help us raise $5000 for the attorney to sue DSS.www.gofundme.com/help-save-our-grandsons every dime counts. we have less than two weeks to raise the money. Or if you live in Buncombe county and want to join our law suit please let me know. DSS kept a old case open long enough for my second grandson to be born and then stole him right out of the hospital. They have done nothing to get my daughter the services ordered by the judge. They have not kept up with shot records so youngest grandson got his baby shots twice. They have placed my grandsons in neglectful foster care homes and placed them in homes which hadn’t even completed a home study. There has been over 15 case workers in 4 years and that doesn’t include all the shrinks and guardians. They have kept my now 6 yr old grandson so busy with shrinks, meetings and other torture until he never knows how to be a normal child. They had my daughter sign her rights over to the other grandma and then didn’t give the children to the grandma. They know that my daughter and her husband are suffering with mental issues and yet had them sign legal documents. They have deprived me of seeing my grandsons at all. We have written proof of all the different stories each social worker has said. DSS gets paid to steal children and sell them into the foster adoption program. Please help us save our grandsons. If you have at help please reach out
Tasheba goston says
What kind of lawyer would I need to sue cps
Linda Martin says
Tasheba, if you want to sue CPS in federal court, look for a civil rights lawyer. If you want to sue in your state’s court system, look for someone who has already sued the department of human services. You can find them by going to the courthouse and looking through the case file database. Ask to look at the cases (they are usually a matter of public record) and find out what lawyers are suing DHS in your area.
Jerry says
It sounds like there using there knowledge of how the law works to enforce ideas on families. If ur an American citizen then ur entitled to due process. They have to take u to court and prove ur unfit, why would she sign off her rights if she is a fit parent? Slot of times that’s there way of proving ur unfit. Another peace of advice is probably the most important of all, read ur constitutional rights and understand them. You don’t have to let them in your home. Right number 4.
Brokenhearted mother says
Mary via Buncombe County DSS I already had my then 4 year old TAKEN by her father (my ex-husband a KNOWN abuser!) and me with NO CRIMINAL history,I have adhd and PTSD *due to the abuse* and I know your telling the truth! We had Judge C***,Please if you see this give me your email or you may email me @ funkytoesbaby[at]yahoo.com my 4 year old daughter on 2/2/2017 may be “taken” from me and my husband of 7.5 years because she is autistic and “hasn’t been in school on time” though we have voiced concerns of ABUSE.We have been to the police,the sherrif’s office,filed criminal charges (all evidence? given to the DHHS! attorney!) and the original petition? Was started on May 9,2016! It’s now almost Feb 2017! They have proven NOTHING and we are COURT ORDERED not to film them in our own home (Haywood county North carolina) if anyone knows anything about how to get a hold of the laws regarding that AND failure to report (my lawyer/my husband’s) we wanted to represent ourselves? DENIED. My husband has NEVER been convicted of a crime,NEVER drinks,does drugs (ever) (me either) and our child is a happy child that has been turned into a SCARED victim. We need help. We have a dr with a phd in psychology writing notes to my lawyer and she REFUSED to answer the questions! IT WAS TO ALERT THE COURT OF ABUSE! Her birth records MISSING from the hospital.YES they are “selling” our kids. I am heartbroken. My ex has my daughter per my knowledge and I CANNOT FIND HER. Now I face THIS. My husband and I are going thru hell. My prayers are with you all :( please pray for us on 2/2/ 17 we need all the prayers we can get :(
Dimplezz says
hello im in need of some help. I just lost my babygirl and she was taken right under my own arms with out me knowing. They took her while i was in the hospital recovering from having her. Now as we continue with the case they have told me im a shitty parent and dont tell me when court is or call! im so freaking upset and i dont know what to do. Honsetly i want to just give up and say fuck it all but i cant do that to my babygirl. Someone please help me. You can email me here at Manny.me4-at-gmailcom
Lin says
Hi, i just read this..r u ok?? Have u got her back?? Do u need a friend?? I have 4 babies 3 have been adopted and my 4th jst got taken im bing falsely accused and judged frm my past. I can relate im here if u need someone.. crzyluvnbblgm[at]gmail.com
And JESUS is here, we were created for Gods purpose..and Yes, sometimes blessings come from tears…AND ALOT OF PAIN.
Heidi says
CPS caseworkers in Escondido, CA falsified my drug test results and I am 1000% sure of this. They also scored me as “high risk” on an assessment questionnaire and I fought hard to successfully prove them wrong. Please contact me at dasspinster-at-yahoo.com if this has happened to you.
Rebecca hill says
Can u help me with a way to go about suing CPS the child atty and the caseworker and therapist they provided and parent assessment therapist. They are wrongfully taking my rights away. I was accused of not being on medicine while pregnant and being on drugs. Never did drugs in my life.
Trish says
THIS IS LONG,BUT PLEASE READ & HELP! PROMISE IT’S WORTH IT…November.2015 my husband and I got into an argument & the cops were called.They asked us if there were any drugs in the house and we informed them & gave them a of a bottle of adderall a family member left (we both did hair follicle and pee test and passed them both) unfortunately bc of our Stupidity We both went to jail for CDV, first and last time ever.My mom,(who is my grandma but raised me) was there when it happened.The cops called DSS and they met us at jail. my mom had already taken my son to her house.The lady got me to sign a safety plan,said if I didn’t I’d lose my son to foster care,so I did.She said she’d come to my mom’s the following Monday(happened Friday evening) and never showed.My mom said she’d be the “caregiver” ,but dss never called us,never went to my son’s school,& never came to my mom’s and made her sign the safety plan,never checked her home and approved or disapproved it.They did NOTHING and I have all documents to prove this.My husband was signing my son out a month later and I was in car waiting.My mom had been in the hospital 2 weeks [[she passed away Jan.9th :,( ]] We spent as much time as we could with her before she went home,as he was getting him a different caseworker noticed him and yelled in front of the whole school call the police they found drugs in there house and are breaking their safety plan,they did and she threatened my husband and said he was going to jail if he left with him.He told her to speak with our attorney and came to car.We went to hospital and the cops called us and threatened us(we have the voicemail) saying if we didn’t bring our son we were going to jail for breaking safety plan.They surrounded our house and yard but we weren’t home.neighbors called and told us.The thing is though,there was no safety plan in place bc my mom’s home was never checked,my mom never agreed to be the caregiver bc dss never came,she never signed a single document,and my mom was hospitalized 2 weeks and if she was supposedly the caregiver… wouldn’t they have showed up to hospital and/or took my son?yes!The caseworker from the school (who wasn’t even on the case ) called me and said I needed to bring my son to DSS office so they can see him.I told her I did not and that there was no safety plan,no reports called in of abuse or neglect,and that I did not have to bc there was no investigation.She said she’d take further action.I just said ok.A few days later the cops call my husband and informed us of an exparte order(we were never informed of court for the ex parte)for breaking a safety plan and that if we didn’t bring my son we’d go to jail for kidnapping bc now the law is legally involved.So,We took my baby and she took him away from us.We had a hearing a few days later where we all went bc we were informed this time & he was placed with his biological father’s sister ( people who he barely knows,he has never paid any child support and my son’s 9,he does absolutely nothing for him and never has,he is in and out of prison,and has been convicted of running from the cops with a toddler in the car and child endangerment).the home was also roach infested.We had to go take more drug tests (which we passed) and take parenting and marriage classes,we also had to do a drug assessment and we were not recommend for services.My son was taken December and we got him back beginning of February and agreed to 30 day home study and random drug test.We got a great caseworker though and she even said this case was so messed up.The one whom got the ex parte got it illegally,correct?She got it saying we broke a safety plan which was not true bc they didn’t do their jobs in the first place and there was NO safety plan in place.They had nothing on us.We ended up being charged with educational neglect bc we were homeschooling him before jail and when the original caseworker came to the jail she informed me I’d need to put him in public school(&I did that Tuesday bc we waited for her all day Monday) bc I didnt have a log(I did the workbooks with him abd he completed 2 pages a day and would read for 30 mins and write 2 paragraphs about what he read)But she said that wasn’t what they needed.They needed a log.So bc I didnt have whatever it is,i was charged with educational neglect.Mind you when he went back to school he was son the merit’s list and nothing below 95 but dss was long gone by then.And in the end I found out the caseworker who obtained exparte had personal interest in the case which again I have proof and showed her superior.She is never allowed to touch a case with Me on it again ,judges orders… She traumatized my son,I now have terrible anxiety attacks since this all happened and dont trust anyone besides my husband and I around ny son nor does he ever want to leave us anymore.He is scared of the cops and dss now and soooo many other emotional issues since it happened.Not to mention his biological father and family talked so much crap about my husband and I to him and not once have I EVER done him thst way bc I don’t believe children should be put in the middle or burdened with parental issues.I live in SC.We moved over 3 hours away bc of all the crap.The school treated us so badly after everything,we were humiliated so badly.The cops treated us so badly,too.One even told my friend about my son being taken away when he asked where she was going and she told him my name and then stated about dss and my son.We felt like fools.We were bad mouthed..it was too much.i want to take dss on.They did me wrong.My son and i honestly deserved none of the things the caseworker did to us all bc of her sister’s personal vendetta.If a lawyer sees this and can help…please do.Thanks for taking the time to read.
Jenn says
Thank you for sharing. Going through just about the same domestic violence so they say and now bringing up my medical conerns.
Linda Jo Martin says
Confidential to Vonda – I can’t publish your comment because you left too much information. I can’t publish names here, and short comments are better than long ones.
wanda mateo says
Linda was that comment to me. I know mines was very long , but I had a lot to say. I can make it shorter If you’d like, and my name is Wanda, maybe that was not for me, but maybe it was , cause I didn’t see my comment posted.
Linda Jo Martin says
Wanda, I will look for your comment and post it if it was skipped. Unfortunately this summer I didn’t get all the comments posted. So sorry about that.
Update – I looked for your long comment and can’t find it. Maybe it didn’t post right… but I don’t think the comment for Vonda was intended for you.
PF says
My kids was taking from me on January 7, 2016 from daycare and school. Before all this happen the case worker came to my house and did her walk thru. In her report it stated that the kids was well behaved and the house was well clean as for the kids to. Once then she kept calling me to ask me about daycare services and I was scared to put my kids in daycare because of all the stuff happening. A week before they took my kids I had enrolled them into daycare. To make a long story short I went to my TDM on the following Monday after they picked my kids up. During the TDM they had a lot of false information. When I ask her was this a legal matter she said no after that when we got close to the end she then said it was a legal matter an I will be appointed a lawyer. I told her I will get my own lawyer. During the process of my kids been 2.5 hours away from me and I missed seeing them for three weeks. My kids has suffer from a lot of illness since been in foster care. My baby which was only a few months has ringworms on his face, my little girl had a real bad diapers rash were pus was coming out of her private, my 7 and 3 year was wearing diapers now and my oldest hair has fell out. My kids was not happy in the foster home. DCS gave me stuff that they think needed to be completed and I did it on my own. They did not give me any references. My 7 years has got kicked out of school and grades are falling. My kids are in a worst shape then home. My baby girl had 7 seizures back to back. This was first time it happen. Everything has been completed on my end which it was a parent class, counseling and evaluation. I am looking for help to sue them for pain and suffering, time I had to miss from work, lawyer fees, mentally and emotionally trauma. My next court hearing is September 1, 2016. My kids has suffer some mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Ashley says
So sorry to read your story. That’s so horrible I can’t believe cps! Literally unbelievable! I myself am dealing with them & have court in Nov. It feels like a bad dream dealing with them. I would like to talk to you more about your situation. How can we reach each other?
Devan says
I’m going though all this to…but I’m going to try everything that I can to put a stop to what there doing to are kids and us as parents…something got to change….I just wish more people was aware of all this….I’m so scared right now for my kids…and worried they well use everything in my past that’s not true. I was told I’m getting my kids back after court but I don’t want to stop I want to sue them I’ve saved everything and wrote down dates times and there text messages to me…there was a court order bye a different judge in 2006 that they didnt keep there false accusations and call in nothing the judge told them to get ride of it all.but they didn’t they been calling the schools and telling them I’m a bad mom. I cant get them to leave me and my kids alone..there so much more to my life and my past with cps it to much to put down.
Ann says
Make IC3 report and get all the copy of your CPS fill. Take a camcorder and record them every time they come in your home. look under Untied States law.
maryjanem says
Hi am being accused of sexual abusing my kids ….my kids weren’t in the home and not I wasn’t aware that what was I was be accused of until you read my report.
Janice Colby says
Me & my husband just asked for help with my 17 yr old daughter to get her help that she needed @ the time they put her in a hospital down in ADA Oklahoma the hospital name is rolling hills My 17 was pregnant that time but she just had her son 2 days ago CPS told us from the get go that they were not going to take her son from her but they did any way & now they have moved her all the way down to Hamilton MT to a youth group home they never told us anything about it & now I think they tricked her into signing a affidavit to make allegations against me, Even though she has made allegations against my husband when they brought her back to Montana after she was released from rolling hills hospital they put her with a foster family that didn’t know to take care of her high needs since she was pregnant @ that time & CPS told me & my husband that they would not take her completely out of the home but they have & now they have it to where I can’t have any contact with her according to them I am a trigger for her behaviors that she has. I want to sue everyone that is involved in this case with the CPS case.
Amber says
My sister has court on Tuesday and it isn’t looking good for her. Over a year ago, my sister had a nice house, a job, a loving husband and three children, while pregnant with her fourth child. The pipes to the house froze because it was winter time and the landlord didn’t do anything. Sometimes, Denise would come to my house to bathe her kids, but she couldn’t come often enough, because I had to ensure my brother was out of the house as he is a sex offender. As a result, one Sunday morning, while the children were in the nursery, the workers noticed that the youngest was a little sick, and her face was a bit dirty. they took a photograph, and reported my sister to CPS. they also did a background check on all the family members and found out about my brother. They told CPS that my brother was living with my sister and her family. CPS came to investigate and forced Denise to take the children in for forensic testing. the testing was negative, showing no signs of abuse, but the doctors reported to CPS that they thought that my brother-in-law was abusive because my sister was quiet and didn’t say much and he did all the talking. That doesn’t make him abusive, she’s just really quiet. My sister than lost her job and couldn’t afford her house, so she had to move in with us. my brother went to the shelter, but then his judge said he could be around his nieces and nephew only, so he moved back in. the next day, CPS took the children. Now, they want to grant the foster family adoption, they’ve told the court a lot of lies, they say Denise isn’t trying to improve her situation, but every time she did what they wanted, they had another reason why they couldn’t return the kids to her. I just don’t know what to do anymore. her court appointed lawyer won’t do anything or fight on her behalf and we can’t afford an attorney.
Harley says
This is such a heartbreaking situation. Im sorry for your sister. I am dealing with cps myself its horrible they lie and twist things to make the families look bad and everyone knows it. I actually paid my own attorney never the court appointed attorneys they work with the state why would they defend you. I don’t think they ever do. I hope the situation improves and what was the outcome in court?
Ellen says
I have custody of my daughters for 6 weeks during the summer, I live in California and my daughters reside in Louisiana with their father. Prior to our divorce, he established there schooling and residence in Louisiana and I could not gain custody at that time. Last summer my youngest daughter informed me not 5 minutes after in my care, that her uncle had been sexually molesting her. I was mortified, to also learn that she had confided in her La family and they forbid her to tell me or anyone. Also that her abuser had threatened her life. I flew them to California and contacted my local authorities. They did everything they could, however there was a current custody order and despite my many attempts legally, I had to return them to their father. Their father and his family lied and said they didn’t know about the abuse. However, it was very apparent that the girls were not lying.
Their father was able to get CPS on his side and at that point filed for Child Support to get even with me for calling CPS. I requested that my daughters have a fair investigation and that another worker be signed to their case. This was not done. The evidence of Audio testimony by my daughters was never requested even after I specifically told them to request not only the sheriff report but the audio. CPS completed their report without showing their father in any negative lighting. The DA hadn’t received any of the proper documentation either, no one would call me back or even ask for my testimony as their mother. My daughters were on their own in Louisiana and still are. My youngest daughter will not even speak to me unless she is being hateful or hurtful to me. Their father allows them to be rude and hurtful and is single-handedly alienating them from me, their mother. CPS will not do anything even though every report I make, clearly states that what I am reporting is Child Abuse. The CPS Manager has lied to her superiors about contacting me and giving me information and I have evidence of this. CPS also refused to testify in our civil court and the Judge approved that request. My daughters did not and are currently not receiving any help from their abuse and CPS is not even enforcing counseling for my daughters. I want to make light of this situation without harming my daughters and I want them to be compensated for CPS not doing their jobs to keep them safe. I will be doing as much research as I can to make sure this happens! Any additional help would be greatly appreciated!
Linda Jo Martin says
Ellen, I would not contact CPS in a case like this. I would file for a review of custody in family court in Louisiana. Let a judge decide who the children should be with. You can only do the best you can do; don’t let the pain get to you… you’re being the best mom you know how to be, in a very difficult situation.
Jeannie says
You want to leave Louisiana cps out of it as much as you can they will go against, they will stand up to judge with all kind of lies…do like Linda suggested and file in family court. If a child is 12 years old a judge will usually let them say where they want to go. You may have to move back here for a short time to rebuild the trust with your children, they are blaming you for what is happing to them but its not your fault.
RUSCH says
From the age 9 to 11 I was sexual abused by my step father! In 2010 I contacted authorities to finally speak about what had happened to me! She called me back the following day saying; her almost exact words “I was on my way to arrest that sick son of a Bi*ch when I realized I can’t” I said “what?” She said “I’m sorry but the statue of limitations is up” And I said What? How? (Now crying) I just told you yesterday!” Thats when she explained to me he had told on him self when I was 11.5 back in 1990 yet nothing was done because the case was barried on a prosecuting attorneys desk to be forgotten about! :(
Sad how can this happen? My mother didnt care nor never pushed the issue of my step father being charged becausethan who would take care of her!
Honestly Noone cared about me or my well being as a child not even the ones paid to protect me! When the detective called me she said all she can tell meis to get myself a good attorney and she would give me copies of all the documents she had! I still have them yet its all I have He never got in trouble I was continued to be raised by him and my mother! Who than resented me and made me do way more than any of my bothers and sister who are their biological children together! I have no family I have always been the black sheep yet I was only a child just trying to get by in a cruel word :( Any suggestions of lawyers or what I should do from here! Always yearned to be happy since 8/9 years old I feel like cps owes me my life back :(
Robin Thompson says
RUSCH, I do not think there is a statue of limitation on the rape of a child. I would try to talk to someone asap. and press charges. You are the black sheep because of what happened to you. Your family wants you to shut up. and they want to minimize and deny what happened to you. Can you find a lawyer to help you. or a site on the internet to help you with pressing charges. I know I had a family that broke my bones. and beat me. They are dead now . But if I could I would go after them for the mental and psychical abuse I suffered.
stephanie says
If only one of the child’s parents went to court and signed the court papers and the other one didnt also they lives in the same home and they said he was a fit father. Does he still have his right ? I thought has long had there is one fit parent in home that’s cable of caring for the children they couldn’t take them out?
Linda Jo Martin says
Stephanie, if one of the parents is unfit and won’t leave the home they’ll take the kids – but every case is different. If they didn’t give you the option of having one parent leave the home, maybe it was because they want both parents to be bound to their “service plan” agreement.
Norris Kingsby says
my son’s 3 baby girls were taken from a daycare center bcuz the parents argued outside. then they questioned the 4 yr old. their mom’s mother put them out and for 7 mos she was wth another guy. my son always kept the girls. he provides and loves and teaches them about god and take them to church. now 2 yrs later the case worker always wanted the 3 babies adopted. the judge sd no. reunification. case worker approved no one. but she promised them to be adopted to atheists first time foster/adoptive parents in sheboygan. but she lied on every report. she hated my son. then he now has a letter to terminate his rights and add 2 more yrs of disposition. they know he has probation. but the 4 and 3 yr olds were beaten by a foster parent and on a visit my son saw it. they did nothing about it. these kids never was abused. that worker not here now, but the new one is using her notes to carry out her plan. they get big federal money for each kid. the mother fed into doing something bcuz they sd leave him alone and get the kids bk. nope. lies. but she did something. then she wont get them. i need an atty. i’m broke. i’m the father’s mom and they been wth me most of their lives. but they hv to answer and they cps but let that man go and adopting out my kids by blackmail and lies. i need to know anybody to help me now. he trusts that no good girl too much. she never had his back. heck he kept the kids as she stayed out nites in and out. i cant think of how he will go on losing his kids bcuz he listening to her lies and i’m his mom and always has his bk. i’m stressed. i trust god. but i need leads and i want them to pay and save my grands and my son. can anyone help.
Devan says
My name is devan and i live in victoria tx im trying to find help cps has my kis there are useing stuff that was court ordered bye a judge in port lavaca tx to get ride of all of that lies they had one me he told me i could sue cps if it ever get comes up…well 2006 from 2004 it it back….i havent been able to get cps out of my life they have had me fallowed to kansas and back here…now im going to lose my house again and everything im tired of picking up the peace’s after the completely dtain my money….i want to sue them i want my kids safe they are hurting my kids and me in every way….
melinda thomas says
I was in prison. I put off my 388 motion until after my release. Once released I went to DCFS court and they still terminated my rights. Even Though my rights say ” If there is any change of circumstances reunification shall be given” Also I was denied visits For the reason ” Due to childs age and distance visits are denied” Yet another right of mine ” Age and distance alone is not deciding factors where visiting is concerned” After the 388 motion I was never informed of the next court date. I have the absolute right to contest the adoption. It was taken from me. They also changed my sons name and again never notified me. What can I do
Linda Jo Martin says
Melinda, I’ve heard of people getting their children back if an adoption doesn’t work out, but in most cases, once a child is adopted the case is over. I’m sorry…
Mrs. K says
This happened to my cousin last Friday. His 3 year old daughter got burnt with a clothing iron. He and his wife as good responsible parent to her to the ER. Afte 6 hours the doctors told them they couldn’t take their daughter home. The city took their daughter and asked them to also bring their other child, but they refused to do so and took the child to the grandmother.This was on the news on Univision on Friday night. It was heartbreaking. They could not do much but pray and find a good lawyer. They arranged for their daughter to stay at a family member who has a daycare. But they still wanted their other child.
On Sunday while the grandmother was out and the house was empty , Child Protection broke in with no right or warrant. They checked everthing even the backyard and when they saw that there were camaras recording, they ran out.
The neighborhood association and their landlord all got together with Child Protection and told them what good parents my cousin and his wife are and they returned their daughter back home.
I guess Child Protection are now wetting their pants with what’s coming for breaking in my aunts home…
June Cornish says
Wow!Smart things to have cameras. We should always record everything.
Justice74 says
Send these bastards to jail…you sue their pants off….you must! Please keep us posted.
Claudia says
As I sit here and read all these stories about CPS involvement, I cant help but shed a tear and write my own part… I had a case with CPS about 9 years ago. My two older children ages 20 now and 15, where removed from my custody due to me being “Not Motivated”.I have psychological problems and I do take medication. I still find it unjust that all these years my children have not lived with me. I am still part of their life but only every other weekend. Being on a CPS case brought so much hurt and pain on myself and on my children. I did their service plan, that was court ordered twice and it still was not enough for me to regain my kids. I had a job, had an apartment and was trying to make it as a single parent. God only knows how I managed to juggle all my bills plus do all the required assessments that they asked of me. I agreed for my children to go live with their grandparents, because CPS pressured me into it. They threated me saying that if I would not do this I would risk being a part of their life because they would be placed with other people. My life has been so hectic over this and I rest with regrets, but I had no other choice. At this moment I am acquiring a college bachelor degree and I have learned to live with such heart ache. I never used drugs or have such a financial burden where I could not take care of my children. I still cannot underline the main reason CPS took us on this course of life. I have a third child that has lived with me since the day he was born, he is now 10 years old and has a healthy life. Its safe to say he loves me and he has everything plus more that he needs. I wish I could of done this for my other two children, and how I missed out on because of CPS involvement not being fair. I hope and pray that this issue gets resolved in this Government agency that is set to help people, but in many cases it just makes things complicated for those that really cant defend themselves. I see them as a big bully system that only sees things as one sided.. I wish you all the best of luck and there will be justice in the name of God.
God Bless
Carrie says
I am sorry that happened to you it is happening to me now also and I hope and pray that someday soon all of us together we will stand and speak our stories of the unlawful and unjust separations of our children and their parents and the interruption in the bonds of children and parents that is occuring regularly and frequently because of the incentives in the federal funding the state budget receives whenever children are being “protected” from related caregivers. I pray God will use me and my three sons and these violations by the county employees that have violated my federally protected freedoms and rights and those of my children to have injunctive relief ordered no to cease the further abuses of children by the county employees oh Heavenly Father please continue to carry us the weary parents father God please help us to do what we are meant to do so that your will here on this earth my be done please father hide not your face from us and deliver the promises you give us in Psalm 69 oh father God these evils must not continue our hearts are broken and this is not right please help these abuses come to light so that all may see what the government is doing to your children father God do not let them abuse in secret and in my case discriminate in secret any longer for it is criminal conduct perjury is committed with every social worker report accepted by dependency court judges and referees oh father help us.
Linda Jo Martin says
Thank you for praying, Cassie. God is sovereign over all and the best source of help. And Jesus is the greatest healer ever known to humankind. He was sent here to heal broken hearts. I pray that all these people whose hearts are broken will be healed by His precious love.
wanda mateo says
I so agree with that statement. That is all that keeps me going.
Elizabeth says
Your babies will be back I know my son who is 18 came back he had his own life but he still comes and sees me. My oldest daughter she 17 almost 18 she left her adopted parents house moved in with her best friend so she can have contact with me and her brothers they just told her since she back in our lives then she can’t see her baby sister she been with this whole time. So it about killed her not being with her sister for the first time for her 15th birthday this year. I just hope in the end the adopted parents don’t think I’m trying to take my kids away from them cause I’m not nor ever will they just as much parents to my kids as I was then just have a weird way of showing they love them but I think they just scared they losing them when they don’t have too. I want them in my kids life and I just want to be a part of it too long as my kids want me to be. I lost mine 11 years ago in Oct and 9 years from when I lost my rights In July. It’s been hard but when u see them again and u cry the most happiest tears ever and your kids are like don’t cry mom .. but u can’t help yourself.. so in the end kids want answers so never give up hope and prayers.
Pissed and ready to fight back says
This is not intended for legal advice but look at 42 usc 1983 ask your arrorney about it. It states you can sue cps employees personally for violating your constitutional rights. Look it up and ask your attorney to see if it applys to you
Richard says
I will check in too that they removed my stepdaughter for abuse from her mother
Which never happened she had been on medicine of prozac and risperdone and she went crazy seeing things hearing voices .and pushed her mom and my wife tried to spank her as she went by her and she spun around and lost her balance and hit the table with her face went to school told them my wife punched her .so they called said they had a 72 protection order .we said she could stay with my ex wife they said no that wouldn’t work .so they took her then they got paper work like 18 hours later for the removal
June Cornish says
That happened to me, too! When CPS wanted to remove the girls, I was *told* I had to place them with ‘someone else’ right away, while having just an hour to find someone to place them with (which is impossible!). Instead, the *next* day (this happened at night, after a small house fire cause the fire dept to call CPS since they couldn’t make heads or tails of how the fire started) – note: *I* was the one who called the fire dept. *after* I put the fire out because *I* couldn’t figure out how the fire started and was afraid there might have been an electrical short. *sigh* Anyway, the next day, I was able to find a children’s home I trusted that I could place one of the girl’s with (they wouldn’t take the younger one due to behavior problems – long story). In the meantime, I had taken them to a neighbor’s house for the night before since CPS was threatening to come get them right then if I didn’t(?). Note: – no court order. So…. I went to the neighbor’s to tell the oldest girl about going to the home, and before I knew it… the police were there, calling me outside and telling me I wasn’t allowed to take the girl anywhere? (Obviously neighbors called CPS while I was talking to my daughter?) Wow!
Later, CPS (with a police officer) came to my house with paperwork, trying to get me to sign it, giving them custody. I refused. Didn’t stop them from taking them anyway – they moved the girls to an emergency shelter later that day.
cindy says
I am really sorry that you and your children are going through… My family also are going through same thing with the CPS.. They stole my 3 children due to know lights… Yes no freaking lights.. Its been 8 months.. Still they wont allow my children to come home.. My son Brandon was brutally attack by 3 HCSO dupties at his own school.. They cut him and laugh at him.. Its on youtube channels on rotbake… My husband and I were arrested.. They brutally attack my husband and throw him in holding cell without any water for 3 whole days.. Made up false fraudulent charges on us.. Doubled our bail.. We havent seen our children since Sept. They sent 2 HCSO dupties after us with guns saying were upsetting the wrong people and wont never see our children again.. They are nothing but sick pedophiles and social path.. And baby stealers for federal money… Moms needs to yell or scream out loud so people wont ignore us.. That’s what we been doing.. Good luck and God Bless.. cindyskon5 @gmail.com.. 8136385316… Anyone whose interested in my family to exposed CPS from stealing our children.. Please email me or call…
Tracy says
Amen
Linda Jo Martin says
Private to Simon – I couldn’t post your comment because you wrote too much, giving actual names and locations. Then you told what you’re going to do next because of that advantage you have. This is something you should stay quiet about until the time comes when you can sue the corrupt child welfare officials who attacked your family.
If I was to post this now, the post would be seen by CPS social workers scanning this site. They would tell the CPS social workers in your county.
Everything you wrote would be in the Google search engine that indexes this site, along with the names and location. Your secret would be out in the world and they would find a way to exploit that. So for the safety and well-being of your family, I decline to publish the comment. I want you to be able to proceed as you intend and sue them. Good luck with all of that.
…
Simon recommends The Dirty Little Tricks CPS Doesn’t Want You To Know
June says
Just to let you know, Linda, the response you made to Sam A Russo wasn’t at all private, since I received it in my email inbox, I’m sure others of this group did as well. Thanks for deleting names, etc, for him, though. I just hope his original posting didn’t come out as public.
Linda Jo Martin says
Hi June – I intended my reply to be on the site… but not his comment. I didn’t know I had sent out his comment! You must be subscribed to the comment feed. I will do these things differently in the future. Thanks for letting me know.
Robin says
cps is really the devil. that is why they are after you. it is satan after you. you must pray.
Robin says
Claudia prayers
Mrs.K says
I have not had peace since last Friday night. I came back from having dinner with my family to find a note inside my mailbox from a CPS Social Worker. It says ” To: The Family of…….” and our address. They received a call, which I believe it’s from my spiteful neighbor who I complained to my landlord about because they have 6 cats living on my deck during the winter and yard filled with disposable plates and also informed him about how the have someone illegally living in the basement. They did this as revenge!
I called the social worker once she got in her office next Monday morning and asked her what were the accusations and she told me she can’t talk about it on the phone. She wants to come talk to me and my husband and interrogate my kids away from me. Is that even something I have to let her do?
I agreed on letting her in, but after talking to my husband I called her back and told her she will need a court order.
I’ve been reading about how corrupt this department is and as a mother I fell I need to protect myself and my kids. They don’t need to be traumatized by CPS and terrorised because of a spiteful neighbor.
Should I be worried, get myself and attorney(that I really can’t afford at this moment) ?
How can I protect my family?
lisa baldwin says
mrs k anytime anybody is contacted by cps they should worrie cps will take false reports from anybody and go from there fist thing to do is try to get on the enternet and printer and look up rules and regulations for cps in your state look up family laws look up civil rights parental rights the more on these that you can read know and post in you home gives you the advantage and your not such easy prey its much better to know these things before their violated than it is after and when its to late to do anything about it,ll help keep cps in check to if their aware you know these things their not so willing to ruin your life
June Cornish says
Stick to your rights, but I would also strongly suggest getting an attny a.s.a.p. It definitely helps! And *don’t* agree for them to talk to the children, alone. We went through that and had an attny, and it was worth every penny. Try to find one who will work with you on payments, if necessary. Most *good* ones will.
God bless and praying for you!
Psalm 56 says
Do not talk to the them or let them in your home. They will your words, husband word and children words. They will bring chaos in your home. Children will become confuse. I gained 75 pounds and loss my job because of Dfacs. Pray and let them take you to court. Do not cooperate. They will divide your home. Read Psalm 56. The 4th amendment protects you and also the 5th amendment.
Mrs. K says
Update about my case
I went to court unaware of what exactly I was alleged of doing wrong. The social worker passed me and my husband a folder each and as he speaks to her I’m ready… As I read I am completely in shock of the allegations. Whoever took their precious time to call CPS had too much time to make up outrageous lies. Everything was senseless and crazy. They told CPS I had 3 kids living with me( which are 2). They could even tell them the right ages. They also said my kids did not attend school or out from the home. And that’s just the nice thing…..
They said me and my husband don’t work and that they were pretty sure I was involved in prostitution to be able to pay my rent and bills. Also that they could hear my husband and I watch porn and have sex all day with the kids around and last but not least, that we were manufacturing crack cocaine inside my home.
The judge found the allegations ridiculous also because the caller failed to the facts about how many kids, their age and that I live in a house with no downstairs and uptairs and they mentioned how my kids were downstairs while we slept till 3pm. FYI, my husband works 6 days a week and is asked to do drug tests from his job.
They dismissed the case and unfortunately I can’t go after my scumbags neighbors.
Cait says
Protect yourself. In any way possible. This corrupt system has me heartbroken and shocked right now . My daughter fell on the stairs and onto some toys in her bedroom both within two days in December and had a huge bruise on her backside. She felt no pain at first and didn’t complain until the end of that weekend…about foot pain actually and so I took her to vassar hospital to get xrays just incase, alrough the bruise was not alarming at all to me..it was literally just a big bruise. Vassar hospital called cps saying the bruise “was not consistent with a fall” I tried to be very co-operative with cps when they showed up at our home because I have nothing to hide, and thought after speaking with us and my two children everything would be okay and they would realize that vassar hospital had made a mistake. Within a few hours, the night they came..my nearly crippled father had to pick me up off the floor at the hospital, as I was beside myself in tears ..they had just taken away my two precious babies. That night the cps worker and two police officers( who never identified themselves) who came to my house made us return to the hospital because the woman who called cps was a nurse, not a MD. They also had the MD look at my other child who had not a single mark on her. I let them do all this thinking I “had no choice” as I had been coerced and threatened by the cps worker all night as things escalated. She kept saying ” I think you know what could happen if we don’t do this now” I even let them take pictures of my daughters bruise, thinking again I had no choice. Those pictures are the cause of my daughters being away from me for 4 months now. Trial is not until Aug. I feel so crippled..all the kisses and snuggles and teaching and loving that has been stolen from my family for no reason. The specialist who did a report for cps at Westchester Medical never even saw my child. She was on vacation. Did thr report based on cps furnished photos. They twist everything you say, they hesitate with action to purposely prolong the situation. They took weeks to get my girls into counseling and they law guardian appointed to my daughters REFUSED to speak to them at first saying the pictures convinced him I was lying! My almost 7 year old daughter is very outgoing and well spoken, but they don’t care…even though she is clearly confused about the situation. No one working for cps except the initial worker who took them has even spoken to , or interviewed me at all. They had me sign permission forms to access the children’s medical records and I gladly did so, but the fact that they have no history at all of abuse does not matter apparently. I never thought something like this would happen to me in a million years I am left helpless, unable to even speak in court. They do NOT CARE about families and DO NOT THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE, ITS ALL ABOUT $$$. OR I WOULD HAVE MY CHILDREN HOME WHERE THEY BELONG. They blatantly made a mistake and are taking as long as possible to prove us innocent. Don’t let that happen to your family.
June Cornish says
As a note to all parents in relation to children being bruised in normal day-to-day play, etc. Buy Arnica cream (not the kind diluted in the store…but pure, if possible). As a family who raised baby calves, a milk cow and a coupla of horses for a few years, bruising was inevitable with our daughter (anything from being kicked by a baby foal to being stepped on the foot by a cow). However, we always treated the bruises with Arnica cream, and no matter how bad, they disappeared overnight. In all that time, I only had to take her to her doctor (NOT the ER) for an ankle sprain caused by a playful dog wrapping his lease around her ankle.
God bless,
april cochran says
you do need a attorney. you should be worried and do not let them in your home or speak to your children period. you have that rt. if your children need examined take them to your dr and have him make a full report to send to cps. i repeat do not let them in your home or around your children they will twist everything your child might say to make a case against you. get an attorney.
Robin Thompson says
April , I will pray for you. Do not let them in. You have your rights. a right to a lawyer . and the right to remain silent.
james majors says
don’t let them near your children…. returnmygrandkids.com
Steph says
Please dear Lord no no no NOT WITHOUT A COURT ORDER,ANYONE READING THIS: in the future…. do not without a court order.
Shurree says
On December 17th tragedy struck. My sister and I as an early Christmas surprise went to her OBGYN appointment to find out the sex of the newest member of the family, while patiently waiting at the appointment for the ultrasound (which at the same time my Mom had taken our 5 children towards Tacoma to visit family and pick up a couple gifts), the ultrasound tech came in the room and performed the ultrasound on my sister’s belly and suddenly stopped with this worried look on her face then ran out to get the doctor. At that point we found out that the baby’s heart beat had stopped 2 weeks prior to this visit. As we are trying to cope with what news we had just got and grieving, Child Protective Services called us demanding we come in for them to see our children, we couldnt figure out as to why? My sister and I walked into the office asking questions and told them our children were with their Grandmother on the way to Tacoma. The Social Worker said she needs to see the children immediately. We apologised, at that time that they werent in the area.
On the evening of December 23rd at around 4:30pm we received a phone call from a Social Worker telling us we had court the following day (Christmas Eve) at 1pm. At that point it was made clear to us there was false allegations against us in August while we were in Montana with my Father who had just found out he had cancer. They claimed we ‘fled’ the state. On Christmas Eve at that court hearing the Judge questioned the Social Worker’s motives as he seen us all sitting in front of him, ‘they are obviously not running/hiding out’ and granted that the children stay with us BUT that didnt stop CPS from making another court hearing held on December 30th @1pm.
On December 30th we went back to court but with a different judge who promptly removed my children. Not for neglect or abuse (social workers had NO proof or evidence) and I would never hit either of them! CPS took my kids for no reason. The social worker on my case refuses to corporate with me. She wont call me back, refuses to set up my meeting, wont to tell me what im suppose to do to get my kids back, I am not court ordered to do anything (but enrolled myself in parenting as well as did counseling). Nothing is adding up!
For the past 39 days we have been fighting non stop to get our children returned to us. We finally were granted a court date (on February 1st) wanting to bring up the abuse and neglect towards our kids in the system with the bleeding lips, 1st ear infections, being constantly sick and not cared for, bruises on their bodies, hand prints on their legs, the filthy/moldy clothes they are made to wear and multiple doses of shots they were given. As we headed into the courthouse a Social Worker met us at the door, handing us a piece of paper stating the (new) reason we could not have our children returned home to us is cuz we are on a month to month rental and not on a year lease.
Amanda says
I have a question.. I’m from Jefferson county Colorado and cps was called against my ex husband for drug use and he simply created a false pictures to try and say I was a prositute, he’s on meth by the way and the pictures he provided were proven false. We both did uas he came up with meth and I came up clean, 2x a week for a couple months. Went back to court and by this time my sons father is in jail and since then cps has been picking me apart still doing uas 2x a month when I never gave them a dirty one, making me go through a psychiatric evaluation because of some things my ex said while on meth. The case wasn’t even opened up against me and they are trying their hardest to prove the only fit parent unfit. I have witnessed the case worker blantly lie on the stand. Saying I told her these crazy allegations when I never did. Anything I said to her, she flipped it into negative and considering I never gave them a reason to be in my life, they wear me out and take up unnessary time of the only parent there for my child which is me. I’ve been his primary care giver his whole life and what they are doing is wrong and I am wondering what I can do about it. The case should be closed since the person it was opened against is in jail and I’m just being a parent. Not once have I given them a ua that would make it nesassary for me to be doing 2 uas a week for over 4 months now. I feel violated and picked apart by these people and I’ve had cps in my life before and they simply did their job and left, but the case workers I’m dealing with now are something of a different kind. I need help fighting these people who have no just reason to be in my life. What are my options ?
Jessica zehr says
You need to hire an attorney that specializes in your constitutional rights!!! Because cps broke them, they can not prove you unfit and keep saying that’s why they are taking ur aon!! It’s illegal… it is breaking ur rights!!!!!!! And then you need to sue cps and it’s caseworkers
Simon says
Get a civil federal lawyer in another county and fight for your right. The lawyer will work payment arrangements for you. Do the things that the courts are asking so they can’t use anything against you then if they still ask for things and say your not fit then sue the ever living shit out of them bec 9 out of 10 times they are committing federal offenses. I only have a dependency on there paper work and that’s all
jen says
I had a raid an was charged but i got out the same day cause no record children an youth said that the gun was by the kids an so did the police but in my discovery it was said to be out of reach of the kids i had someone to keep my kids while i went to jail for the 6hrs i did but they still got the court to sign so hey can put them in placement but the only reason they have to keep my kids is because of my pending charge an the judge says should u take all kids that parents have a pending charge so i was trying to see if i had a case or not
Larry says
Fully Loaded Legal Consultations will help you create all of your motions, affidavits, and will even create your civil complaint. They only charge $25 for a phone consultation and give free online consultations on their facebook page.
Jeff says
My name is Jeff a father of 9 children including our newborn boy only 3 days old. We have been harassed consistently now for several months by a CPS female investigator who lies and has no respect for the law. Our attorney seems unsure how to handle her and tries to manipulate us to cooperate with this CPS baby thief. He won`t stand on his feet and say Enough is Enough! I seem to be doing most of the work kcicking them off our private property as they stalk and harass us, threatening them with law suits and telling my attorney to “Stick it! and do his job.” We are the victims here. While my wife was in labor at the hospital giving birth this CPS worker pushes her way past our oldest daughter with 3 “stand in” sheriffs and a side kick social worker to do what she called a well check on the children! Walks through our newer 6 bedroom brick home and checks the place out then leaves. She does this a second time the next day when we ran to the store each time making sure my wife and I were not home so she could bully her way past my daughter. Avoiding making contact with our attorney before trespassing on our private property which is posted and she has been told by the attorney she is not allowed to be on the property. It all started with a minor dog bite incidence and the dog is not here yet she still persist on making sure the dog is not in the home. She has broke our constitutional rights most of all amendment 14. It has been traumatizing to our children.
I really let out my emotions in anger today when they came strooling up my private driveway knowing I was angry and fed up as we trying to welcome our new son into the family. They quacking returned to there car as I followed with a camera photographing them which they didn`t appreciate are watching the house from a distant as I have spotted them walking and stalking around in our forest surrounding our home. I believe we have a very good case to file a Federal action law suit against this female worker and her partner. Any tips?? Thankyou and God Bless
Psalm 56 says
CPS destroyed my life I am suffering because of them. They stalk me. They go to my child (4year old) school asking dumb questions. They are liars. I am going to homeschool my children because of them. I withdrew my child out of school because my 5th ammendment was violated. The court told them they do not need to see my other children. My oldest child was taken out the house but he didnt want to follow the rules. If I had money I would create a safe haven for parents like us. I might move again because of them.
Kenny says
Please help me my son was taken in to cps custody when he was born supposedly because his mother had another child already in custody at the time of his birth i was 17 years old and had no idea that i even had a son beans she put the baby on another man even named my son after him dss did a dna she finally told them i was the father i was in prison at the time so i came home trying to get my son i had just recently found out about . they will not give me my son all they have done was trial home placement with my mother until she turned it over i have done nothing to him never had a cps case i was dragged into this because of his mothers child abuse case please somebody help me my son is going on 2 and im 19 now all i want is my son .
kristen george says
hey I am going through this myself its going on a year and a half my daughter is 7, her father did emergency custody and took her from me. I wont ever forget when the school called me and told me that her father resigned her from school. it was like I couldn’t breathe and hoping it was all just a bad dream. I have had my daughter since birth . her father was a bad alcoholic and abusive he walked out on us when she was 4 months old. had not much to do with her until 5 years later. so I got on welfare and foodstamps and volunteered as a caregiver at a assisted living facility dealing with residents with dementia. 3 months later they hired me on fulltime. also got moved up to activity director. so their was good that came out of that divorce. I found my passion. and me and my daughter was very happy. I need help I want my daughter back please someone point me in the right path. I have not even been able to talk or see her in over a year. court keeps getting continued.
Robin says
prayers
June Cornish says
It has been three years since our case was closed and my daughter and granddaughter were returned to it. I can’t begin to tell you all the ways our rights, especially those of my daughter, were broken – along with CPS not following court orders, telling my daughter she would never go home (even though the goal was reunnification), telling us we were unfit parents, in spite of the fact there was no proof. Using a formally *closed* past (unfounded) investigation as reason for possible allegation against my husband, etc. But as bad as all that was, the worst came from the physical, emotional and mental abuse the girls were put through while in group homes. We are in Texas. Would it be too late to file a case against them now?
Jessica zehr says
No!!!!!!!!!!! You file away
June Cornish says
How? I have no idea where to begin.
Thanks!
Linda Jo Martin says
June, if you don’t know how to do it you’ll need to find an attorney to help you. If the statute of limitations has tolled (no more time to file) the attorney would be able to tell you.
Linda Jo Martin says
June, you asked if it is too late to file in Federal Court after three years. I don’t know the statute of limitations for Federal Court cases in every state. Your best bet would be to consult a licensed, experienced civil rights attorney in your area. The “Findlaw” website states: “Federal courts adjudicating civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. §1983 must borrow the state statute of limitations applicable to personal injury actions under the law of the forum state.” In some states that might be only two years, or it could be longer. You need a local attorney to help you with this.
CATHERINE says
Please I need help i do not have faith in my legal abilities i am just looking for an advocate i will do anything that the advocate tells me…
Linda Jo Martin says
Catherine, I don’t provide advocates on this site. I try to show everyone how to become their own best advocate. It is better to rely on yourself because you’re the person most motivated to succeed. Also if they do the work for you, they have legal liability… either your wrath if the case is lost, or they could even be accused of practicing law without a license… that’s why it is important for you do learn to do this work for yourself, with your lawyer’s help, hopefully. If you want to sue in federal court, please look for a licensed, experienced civil rights attorney to help you – not just some person off the streets who claims to have a little legal knowledge, who wants to call themselves an advocate. I’ve been around a long time in this field, and have seen a lot of these so-called “advocates” who want to save everyone, come and go. It is a burnout job for them…
michael says
CPS destroyed my life. They took my kids and accused me of whipping my son in the face with a belt. I did not own a belt. I buy my clothing to fit. But anyways, they took my 5 year old son and my 3 year old little girl. The mark on his face was a round pea size mark under his eye from hand grip on bike handle bar. Before this point they were at my house 2 to 3 times a week for 4 years .. now my son is 15 and he wants to come home. He lives with my sisters. They hold the cps over my head and tell my son that I beat him. He tells them no, he remembers what happened and he did it on his bike .. my family is spiteful .. and as you can tell I’m uneducated. And they are. Is there something I can do to the cps like sue them so i can get that wall down and get my son home?
Linda Jo Martin says
Michael, it is probably too late for you to sue Child Protective Services for something that happened many years ago. However, it is not too late for your son to sue, and he could do that now with the help of an attorney, or he could do that within the first year or two after he turns 18. After that he’ll lose the right to sue because of the Statute of Limitations. Check with an attorney in your state about your state’s Statute of Limitations laws for cases like this.
Another thing you could try is to go to a family court and file for custody of your child based on the fact that the CPS case is long-over, circumstances have changed, you never caused the mark on your son’s face, and your son is now old enough to decide where he wants to live, and he can testify that you didn’t harm him back then. It would help to have a family law attorney to help you with this.
cindy says
I live in Col Ohio. I have custody of my daughters oldest son. Her other 3 were put in foster care because her or husband severely abused their 5 month old, but I have had her 3.5 yr old and raised her. CPS took her also, with no abuse on her because she lived with me. Now I’m fighting CPS in court for her, but there holding me losing my oldest daughter 30 yrs ago, for drinking. I was young and dumb. Is that legal?
Linda Jo Martin says
Cindy – yes, it is legal if they can get a judge to agree with it. It isn’t fair that they’re holding something minor against you that happened thirty years ago, but that’s how CPS works. If they want to blacklist you, they can. What to do to fight that? Well, you could try some of the things I listed here: Seven Ways to Fight CPS. I hope you can find something that works for you.
PD says
How can a child be taken into custody – a newborn without a emergency order from a judge? How could that be legal and 8 months later there is still no order? I was not from the state I was forced to deliver my child in so why would that state make claims that there is jurisdiction in that state? Again with no order from a judge at that, just allegations, no filing with an order. The case has been in front of 3 magistrate still no order…
Linda Jo Martin says
PD – Sorry I had to delete your name to protect your privacy. I don’t see how it could be legal for them to keep a child for eight months with no court order. The caseworkers don’t need an emergency order from a judge to pick up a child, newborn or otherwise. They can pick up the child then within 72 hours (in most states) there has to be a shelter hearing at which the judge decides whether the child can be safely returned to the parents, or if the child should be kept in an out-of-home placement.
After that a hearing is set for adjudication at which they’ll try to get parents to sign a guilty plea which they sometimes call a stipulation. If the parent refuses to sign and asks for a full trial, they have a fact-finding hearing. The disposition hearing is like the sentencing, at which the matter is settled. After that you should be given a list with your court ordered service plan, if it has gone that far.
lisa says
cps will take your child on false reports. by time you go to court they will change convictions in your criminal history from misdemeanors to felonies, have false statement about you.
your court appointed attorneys are not out to help you either they are appointed from the court. keep all your paperwork and document everything when you go to meetings, when you test if its oral or otherwise.
when its over you first have to file a claim against them with the board of supervisors with your claims they have 6 months to answer if they agree or disagree you will then have two years to sue them in federal court title 18 usc section 1001 chapter 47 cannot falsify modify or device material facts cannot make false ficticious or fraudulent statements against you cannot do these things knowingly and use them against you in a court of law
its too hard to find attorneys or lawyers to sue. cps represents yourself the internet is your lawyer. its free facts and on your side
if you have theirs lies in black and white that’s all you need and a little bit of an attitude. document abuse an neglect is one thing falsified documents and falsified test results can be proven.
its called legalized kidnapping when they have false things in their reports. try to get proof on paper to show its false. document and get all paperwork during your case it will be to your advantage
Linda Jo Martin says
Lisa, thanks for letting us know about going before the board of supervisors so they can reply. I hope you are able to appeal and win. You’re right, this all forces people to use the internet to get legal knowledge because court appointed lawyers aren’t helping as much as we need them to.
Theresa says
I need help. I want my kids back. I have paper trail on top of paper trail DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE of a use of authority, my civil rights being violated, the many outlandish and extreme falsifications (lies), the social worker at one point even tried to persuade THREE mental health professionals to change my diagnoses of situational depression to something actually severe. My court appointed attorney is of no use. Here is my email reunification2016[at]gmail.com SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME GET MY CHILDREN BACK.
Linda Jo Martin says
Theresa, this is a self-help site… all I can do is tell you how people are getting their children back; I can’t do it for you and of course every case is so different, there’s no guarantee of a positive outcome. However I’ve put legal document samples on the site, and everything I’ve learned, and there’s a forum for networking with other parents who are going through this. You’re welcome to keep in touch and share your journey through this dark time with us because we know what it is like and we care.
Felecia says
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this site, I’m goin thru the same situation! I was falsely accused of things by cps and had my newborn taken from me, she was still in NICU, and was discharged to a foster mom! I was called on a Fri by cps to tell me my child was being taken and a shelter hearing was scheduled on that Mon!! Everything they r accusing me of is a lie!! I have no money to afford a lawyer, so unfortunately I’m being appointed a lawyer!! And they r def not out to help u, if anyone is reading my comment and can help me get my daughter back, or can direct me to a lawyer that can help me, please comment or call me 71seven 6one five seven53three I’m from PA!! This is so wrong on so many levels, I have documents to prove everything that they are accusing me of is false and lies that they pulled out of their asses!!!! Please someone help me get my daughter back, or help direct me in the right direction!!
lisa baldwin says
Theresa what state do you live in when did they take your kid kids and what did they say their reason was
Robin says
I am going through the same thing. my ex bf who abused us got custody of my child. she has a depression illness. he persauded her to help him get her. she skipped school. she saw a bf. cps got on my back once the creep called them. well they took her away she is now 14. I have not heard from her. for a week. my god he used to beat us. what is wrong with cps , the Winnebago County judge M. and the Casa worker J. well they said that was 8 years ago. he brain washed my child to go with him to Texas. he lured her with a motorcycle. he beat her as a baby until she was black . he is purely demonic. he is rich and took my baby. he also punched me in the stomach when I was pregnaunt with her.
linda raum says
yes and when is it too late and can my children sue for them selves
Robin says
There will be a special place in Hell for those who took our babies away. Cps. purely demonic.
kristy says
Wow so sad what has America come to ??
I will fight for my family and my legal rights until the end !
DCF state of Indiana has hijacked and kidnapped my children and wrongfully gave them to there father.
I have 3 smart ,beautiful amazing children 2 of special needs,
I love my children
Dcf /and state providers wrongfully removed them from me instead of helping me I’m willing to stand up and fight with or with out a attorney I believe I have a strong enouph case to take all the way to civil court of N.W. Indiana
Back in April of 2015 was a night mare , my kids removed with out a warrent / to enter or police or even Dcf present 2 of them at that time were giving to there father the funny thing is we were living together but any way dcf violated my Fourth And 14 the amendment Constitutional Rights!
The Fourth amendment states :
Entries into private home by child welfare workers involved neither search or seizure under the Fourth Amendment and thus can be conducted without either a warrent or probable cause to believe a child is at Risk of Harm .
Also violated 4,14,1st,6th amenmemt right of are consituational rights !
I’m fighting for the deprivation the state is taking away from my children and there mom with no real proof of abuse or neglect only here say or he say she say is not enouph.
The improper removal is illegal in all states please stand up with me I’m ready to take to civil court if I gotta do it my self these are your rights do not let dcf / CP’s scare you if they have no warrent it is not for you to be arrested it is for them to legally enter your home and question any one in it including your children please help fight for your family are children are not federal funds
I need some one to help represent me regarding my rights and can not afford of I can not fin I will fight alone
God bless
Kristy Z
lisa baldwin says
Kristy z u go girl, but I cannot stress enough, document, document, document everything. Get all paperwork from them. You can make copies. Then go through your copies and highlight anything that violates your rights, civil or parental.
Also, not only do they violate those, they are also breaking the federal laws, titles 42 and 48 usc section 1001 chapter 47 which takes you to the federal courts out of their court. They’re all in cohoots with each other. The smaller the county, the worse it gets, but let me tell you, after its all said and done you’ve got 6 months and only 6 months to file your claims against the social workers with the board of supervisors. They then have 6 months to talk with cps. They can agree or disagree to every single claim and what you want or you will take them to federal court and file your lawsuit against them. You will then have two years statue of limitations but no longer.
If you have a court appointed attorney you have a right to all paperwork on your case. Try to go to his office while he’s in court. Be real nice to his secretary. Tell her how nice she’s dressed, ect.. Explain your parents are considering adopting your children but they don’t understand what’s happened so could you please get copies of your paperwork on your case. It’ll be three times as much as you’ve received.
Oh and the dirt you end up with in the papers you didn’t have, title 18 cannot falsify, modify, or devise material facts, cannot make false, fictitious or fraudulent statements. Cannot do theses things and knowing, use them in court against you. As soon as you notice any on your paperwork try to get proof in black and white to prove its falsified or false or ect, as soon asap, cause trust me it can just disappear or be swept under the carpet.
Also keep in mind people from the second they take your kids don’t believe anything they tell you. They take them on lies, keep them on lies, falsified reports. They are not really trying to reunite you with your children. They will lie to you keep you in the dark. They have no intentions on giving your children back to you but don’t take me wrong, if you didn’t have the money the first court date and had hired a real lawyer, then you really need to try to do everything they have in your case plan. While you’re doing that they will be making up more lies. You’ll be making your case against them.
Linda Jo Martin says
Lisa, thanks for sharing all that good advice for people needing to appeal after a TPR.
lisa baldwin says
thank you linda jo for having this website for parents
Peter says
The best way to deal with these animals at the cps and family courts is instigate their action….any action. This idea comes from the fact that they are corrupt and so any action they take will be corrupt. All you have to do is keep record of it. Of course this is only applicable to the over 80% of families they abduct children from. Remember, darkness is reciprocal, it will always repeat itself, it can’t help it, it’s blind. The biggest problem for families is to let the fact sink in that these people truly are sick, vile criminals. It’s hard to except, we need to think the gov or others are just like us, but some, who gather in numbers, in bureaucracies, are not like us, not even human at all. Just a selfish bunch who glee on their prey….children and their families.
Adam says
CPS and Child support enforcement are criminals. I hear about cases like this all the time and have experienced my own hell since 2002.
I was 19 years old and met a “former” exotic dancer while training for a job. We hit it off quickly. My daughter was born about 13 months later. I know what you’re saying. I should’ve gotten to know my ex a bit better before having a baby. I was 19, young, dumb, and full of *%#. There were other signals that were red flags looking back.
Anyways… Things were going well until my ex started dancing again. I had no problem with that because I trusted her and she made good money to help support th family.
Then she started using meth regularly. She changed for the worst physically and emotionally. She was always acting out and attacking me for no reason. I tried walking away from each and every incident. She would follow me and throw eggs at me. One time she called the police on me saying that I stole OUR house key. The cops came and took my keys that I had for two years. She was very manipulative. She ended up lying and putting me in jail for DV. I was young and making $7 per hour at a temp place. I had an older brother with a delivery service. I made $1,500 in one week driving all the way to Arkansas. She somehow acquired that check while I was in jail. I was served child support papers in jail. I never even knew about a hearing and was in the same county as the hearing. They never took me there from the jail. They said I should’ve told them about the hearing, but that’s tough to do when I’m not Pshycic. After getting out of jail, I tried to work things out for my child for a couple more years until the incident where she threw eggs at me. I always wanted to be there for my daughter, but I figured that I didn’t want to have her in a volatile situation, so I left. I tried to modify the child support, but didn’t have money for an attorney or travel expenses. After moving, I got a job paying $8 per hour at a bowling alley. I worked full time and brought home less than $400 per month after 50% was taken for child support. I’ve never been able to afford the payment and I never could afford to fight it. I was stuck. To this day I still can’t afford the payment and would be homeless without the help of family. I tried going to school so I could get a better job to be able to support myself and my child. While in school, I got a notice that I was going to have my license suspended for not making full payments of $488 per month. That’s a lot for someone making near minimum wage. I had to drop out of school and start working for gas money basically. I’ve been sending as much as I can afford presently and they just suspended my license because it’s not good enough.
Do they expect me to rob a bank or something? That’s not going to happen. It’s almost like they don’t give two S$(5: about anyone. My life is ruined because of their actions. I’ve never had any arrests for anything violent except the DVs from her. Lies. Courts always support the woman for some reason. It’s absolutely ridiculous. I’m now $25,000 behind on my child support and another $10,000 in interest. By the time I die, I’ll owe over $100,000. It’s not because I don’t want to support my child. It’s because they have completely shut my life down by charging WAY too much for what I was making. I could’ve fought this if I was taken To the hearing, but that didn’t happen. I need to win the lotto or something because I will only make 50% of any check that I get from a job. Even if I made $15 per hour, I wouldn’t have enough to survive on. I really wish people could fix the child support system so no more fathers have to go through what I’ve lived with. It’s hell. I’m trying to start a business, but fear that they will try to steal the business.
By the way… Does anyone else wonder what genius thought that suspending someone’s license for not paying the full amount was a smart idea? So I didn’t have enough to pay $488 per month. Why don’t you take my license and make it even harder to earn money. SMH.
The system is pathetic.
Daniel says
Now here is where the story takes a turn. You see my Son did not live at home when his then girlfriend who is now his wife was pregnant. In March of 2014 my Son after turning 18 moved out. Because he got his then girlfriend pregnant. His girlfriends Mom promised him the world. Told my Son that she would help and do what she could for the two of them. Sometime in 2014 my Son married his girlfriend. He was 18 and his girlfriend was 16. The mother blessed off on them getting married due to his girlfriend being pregnant. That same year they moved into his wife’s grandparents home. One thing lead to another and the grandparents called Child Services. Child Services came into the home and removed his wife into custody due to being a minor. They placed his wife in a residential facility. They took my Son’s child and placed her with his wife’s Aunt and Uncle. After stripping my Son of his wife and daughter the grandparents then kicked my Son out of their home. My Son had a job, was providing for his family. The grandparents at that time forced my Son into poverty if you will by kicking my Son out onto the streets.
Let that settle for a moment. Now here is where it get’s worse. Better but worse. Please try to follow along. My Son moved back home with me February of this year 2015. By March of 2015 I hired an attorney for my Son to help him get custody of his daughter. During that time this Aunt and Uncle had filed for adoption of my Sons daughter. We filed to stop this adoption. The caseworker at the time came into my home and pretty much told my Son that she does not see my Son being able to care for or raise his daughter. She pretty much called my Son and Unfit parent. (So I am shocked at how this caseworker can say shit like this). Now we have gone to court twice. Most recent was this past Tuesday, October 12, 2015. Since May of 2015 there has been 5 different caseworkers. The latest one pretty much brushes my Son off.
Now if you are still reading this. Here is where I am highly upset at a corrupt System that I used to believe in. I was a foster parent in Missouri as well as here in Kentucky. I have adopted 2 teenage boys. Out of everyone who reads this will agree with me on this statement. A Licensed foster parent is taught in training that We are to be biased about our feelings, because whether WE as foster parents agree or not the first step with Child Services is to Re-unify the Child with the Parents. If re-unification with the parents is even an option. Or they try to re-unify the child with family. Now I want everyone to ask yourself this simple question. How can I as the Grandfather to my Granddaughter and who happens to be a licensed foster parent NOT GET CUSTODY of my granddaughter. Laws state that if a parent or parents get into any trouble that IMMEDIATE FAMILY is called upon. As the adoptive parent to my SON, by law I am the now biological father of my Son. Birth Certificate even claims that. So again, why didn’t child services place my granddaughter with ME? To this day, child services cannot answer that question of why. If Child Services would have followed their protocol the way they should by placing my granddaughter with me, then we would not be in Court fighting an adoption case.
To continue with what happened in court. Child Services wants my Son to get a Psych Evaluation. For what? So being POOR, because that is what child services claims is the reason of my granddaughter being taken from the parents. There is no abuse or neglect. In fact when child services stepped in STATE of my granddaughter was healthy. KEY word there, HEALTHY. So if she was healthy how can child services not be doing their job. Which is to ASSIST in REUNIFICATION. They had the nerve to say that my Son was to do visitation for his daughter with the AUNT and UNCLE present. So child services is basically saying it is OK to feed my SON to the lions.
But tell me how this isn’t a judicial form of kidnapping. Basically the KY COURTS as well as KY CHILD SERVICES is allowing the Aunt and Uncle to legally kidnap this child. I also forgot to mention, that my Granddaughters name happens to be Auriella Stamper-Moise. Yet the Aunt and Uncle has changed my granddaughters name to Pasley Atkins. Who authorized these people to change the name of this CHILD because they ASSUME that they will gain custody. As my Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, I will go to grave fighting to bring my Granddaughter home where she belongs. As a LICENSED foster parent I am truly seeing how corrupt the KY CHILD SERVICES truly are. They obviously do not practice what they TEACH. I will take this up to the STATE Courts all the way to the SUPREME COURT SYSTEM if I have to. Not only will I go to my grave fighting to bring my granddaughter home, but I will go broke financially fighting to bring her home where she belongs.
helene varga says
Please contact me i am to a grandmother who fights and fought for 2 plus yrs in illinois. I had my grandauhter cps had other plans like placing her to a promised home to adopt. Have not seen Cheyanne for 2yrs they took her from my house kicking qnd crying put her in carseat and she never new she would not be back. I get it folks i spent 20,000 between 3 lawyers that took advantage of my then ignorance. A loan on my townhome and they shut me out. Court is again this month but i can not go in i have no rites. I live in illinois and the laws her thst work with the system are so unjustice its sickening. If not me i have a married daughter with a baby a nice house stay at home mom. They did not giver her nite or day the cps worker had her own agenda. I too have contacted legislation senator springfield advocates. Called newspapers emailed talk shows nobody cares untill you experience it you have no clue how viscous the system is. I dont sleep well and swear everyday she will return home to her loving family. I too will take this to my grave i cant let her go. They told me to move on and mocked me. I now have another granddaughter love her just as much but it is hard knowing i have Cheyannne out there when we belong as family. What can we do what state do u live in. My grandparents used to take in foster children. They have passed and they i have seen many children come and go thru there homes come out so loving and changed and yes foster care rule 1 is to support the return home if the parent or parents are in and following compliance with the orders and classes assigned. In fact she is like pr is my sister her name is Cathy and her parents didnt want her so my grandparents adopted her she was 8. She now is 55 married with 3 boys and has 5 grandchildren. The most loving person you would want to meet. She knows and understands what a not wanted feeling is. My email is helenevarga[at]gmail.com. or my cell is 224 383 4039. Lets fight together even if we are afar the more people who were broken by the lies and false alligations from cps that come forward will have more a chance. I am out of contacts and people they dont want to hear me nomore. I am ready but cant fight alone.
Daniel says
I appreciate the response that you posted. I live in Kentucky. My fight is just beginning. But I refuse to go out without a fight. I don’t care who I have to piss off in the mean time.
Jennifer says
No matter what state you live in there is grandparents rights and they cannot place her anywhere else unless offered to family first for the opportunity to take care of the child. Otherwise it’s some illegal scandal.
brad says
What county are you in? We are dealing with CPS also in Ky and it is a nightmare
Daniel says
I am in Hardin CO. What about yourself?
Janette says
I am dealing with cps in Kentucky I was shocked when I seen all these things and it is all true and sad
Please email me if you have time and let me know what county I deal with Oldham co.
Kathy Brewster says
My son just had his parental rights terminated yesterday in court – yes he is a drug addict but a recovering addict he has been clean for two years – he has a full time job and completed classes that CPS requested – he did pass the time limit allowed by the state – unfortunately his son is delayed in speech and the court ordered sign language class – my son failed to attend since his son only knows 10 baby sign language and he failed to complete his therapist appointments because he was working full time – going to his sons speech therapy sessions two times a week and visiting his son the other two times . So they deemed him immature and failure to follow thru – I cannot believe that I live in a country where the government/state will adopt out our children when no criminal charges have been filed against the parent. My grandson was in good health – they had him evaluated at the hospital and he was healthy with no signs of abuse. I never thought this would happen with everything my son completed I thought for sure he would get his son back. I could not believe that the Foster Mother was in the court fighting to adopt my grandson – how can she feel good about taking a child from a family that wants him . The judge approved my grandson to come to our house but I had a felony from 26 years ago (grand theft) and they said he could not come to our house because of my felony – I filed for an exemption and come to find out I never had to waste all that time filing an exemption because it was already a felony that could be exempt??? So I am wondering if I can now try to get custody – The county knew that they could exempt my felony but failed to do so- do you think a judge would just say well your son lost so now you are trying to get custody??? I have formed a bond with my grandson since he has been visiting at my home two times a week for two hours each for the past six months. Has anyone every done this after the parents rights were terminated??? Do you think I have a chance?
Rachelle T says
My baby has what’s called failure to thrive. We had work up done aside from his pediatrician in another hospital, because where he was getting his pediatric care, they’d take forever to get appointments. We began seeing a GI alongside a dietitian. I was confused why a GI. Usually, that’s when a child has issues with their digestive track, like projectile vomiting, chronic diarrhea, thryoid etc. One day, the desk receptionist told me his GI would be at the clinic we usually see her at. I told her on Fridays, at noon, typically she’s at the children’s hospital. I told them that we were mistaken, and to either please reschedule or give us a grace period. Both his father and I, were way on the opposite side of the city, and had no cash to take a cab, nor no ATM nearby. This was the day I was going to find out if my child was going to be admitted because of his slow weight gain, for thirteen months at the time. During the admission, it got really cold in the hospital, the baby and I became ill with a cold. Unlike me, my son being small and relatively having the immunity and weight of a newborn, he refused to eat. I called both the nurse and doctor to see if we can find another way to feed the baby. Possibly through a GN tube. He got better, he was moved to a new room in the hospital on contact isolation, and wasn’t able to leave the room. He started eating again. I fell asleep and took a nap, and I was calling my son’s father’s phone repeatedly. He wasn’t answering, and I told him he had to watch the baby and that I was told the social worker wanted to speak to me. After interviewing him, she spoke with me. And in the first interview she had with me, she’d address that for a child with this diagnosis their parents MUST be interviewed. And typically, people assume with a child of such low weight, height that he’s being abused. This time, I was nervous because I hate talking to social workers, they’re manipulative. She told me that some of the nurses were concerned, and that since all the workup that they did in the hospital didn’t amount to his weight gain, and they found nothing wrong with him, they thought it had to do with negligence. I was so upset, and they also said I was depriving him of food and eating his food. I told them that he didn’t want to eat his table food, and that if exposed to air for to long, it can cause bacteria so I threw it out or ate it, and would go out to buy food. I was always at the hospital, if not work then school. And seeing a young mom, a minority, 18 and in school, they try to attack my character. They called ACS, my father defended me, and it helped. The worker I got was lovely. He didn’t remove my son, although his manager and supervisor was pushing for it. They had a meeting with me, and discovered they had no ground to remove the baby from my care when he was discharged. But the following day, they said they wanted us to complete an FPP program and they wanted to meet with us. My worker told me things he wasn’t supposed to, like how she wanted him removed, and she dug up me and his father’s history. They tried to state that in passed run ins with ACS, one being my father, but I was 17 at the time, and home with my sister 14, and my son’s dad 19 at the time. They had to investigate me because I was a mother in the home. I completed all preventive services, one being counseling for my mood disorder, which doesn’t affect my parenting at all. They saw a nursery, and everything. It looked bad on my ex because he wasn’t compliant with the services. In fact, he tried to leave out son to smoke weed in the stairwell and leave him in his friend’s house alone and check on him from time to time. WTF? He also came in high in front of the baby, and beat me in front of my son which lead to a 911 call from standbyers and a call from an MD. He called ACS, we already had a case, so they added this to my dad’s record. My father was accused of neglect because my ex hit my sister and since me and my sister were left at home, being under 18, I am now 17, and old enough to watch her, they considered it neglect, even though my father is a single father and was at work, supporting his family. They closed to ACS case, BUT preventive services were around for five months. My son was now seven months at the time. So now, 2015, I signed a HIPPA form which I regret because whenever I update them about my son’s health, they use it against me. My son was diagnosed with sepsis, and really bad blood infection, I let my worker know, he told his supervisor, and she called the hospital like five times to get the same answer. How did he get sepsis. They answered bacteria. They assumed that the hospital was saying negligence. They came to my house the day of his discharge, told me that my home was filthy. But all the other visits, as well as having two other worker’s cover for mine when he was sick, said my house was clean. I didn’t even sit down for five minute, and they barge in my house. And I told my dad, that I am the mother, and what I say goes. My house wasn’t filthy, it was unorganized. I told him that if I’m not home, like I was when I was in the hospital missing a rigor of freshman college classes, to clean the house, and not to set me up for this kind of stuff. I wasn’t home, and when I got home wasn’t paying attention to the unorganization. So how was I supposed to clean the house if I wasn’t home, my father and two sisters were home. I get yelled at for the things my dad was supposed to have under control while I was gone. They said if my son gets sick again, they will remove him. Something I can’t control, he’s tiny, and has all his shots. All his doctors said I’m not neglecting or abusing him. And so did his daycare provider. They said I was a good mom, so did CPS, but yet their telling me my child’s nursery, floor and crib is filthy. My cat peed in his stroller, so when I just walk in, I didn’t smell anything. My dad said he did when he walked in, but didn’t act right away because CPS wasn’t expected to come. He should have lied and said that me and the baby weren’t home, or told them to come back with a warrant. I’m scared tomorrow they will come back with a court order stating I ‘neglected’ my son and remove him. Florida, my hometown, alongside NYC, where I live has the highest rates of child deaths in the care of CPS. They’ve been stating I need WIC, and if I don’t go, they’ll remove my son. Me and his father work, his dad works two jobs and finishes his bachelors this year. We quit WIC because it was taking up times we had to call out of work when we can simply buy it. WIC is optional. Where are my rights? They can’t even prove that he got sepsis from bacteria in our house to remove him. He goes to daycare too, he could have gotten it there. I told them this, and now their threatening me when I’m just a concerned mom. I’m calling my lawyer tomorrow.
James Majors says
myself and my grandkids are a victim of Cuyahoga county childrens services. my grandkids were taken on jan.9 th 2015 and have been deprived of all their rights. the juvenile court will not allow me to be a part of the case for no reason. [names deleted] this is a crime that they do this for no reason. returnmygrandkids.com is a website I started recently. any help by anyone to help return my kids to me would be appreciated. James H.Majors jimmajors[at]yahoo.com
Linda Jo Martin says
James, I admire and appreciate the way you are speaking out for the well-being of your grandchildren in Ohio. I hope you are able to make a difference in the way Ohio child protective services operates. I would get close to the state legislators and do some lobbying there to change the laws.
Abel ramos says
I am a single father in San Antonio Texas my four boys have been taken from me .I have only had custody for a few months there mother had went through 12cases and won every one she eventually went to jail for truancy they have came after me for doing exactly what they told me to do they said don’t sign a lease or you’ll be inelligable for housing instructed me to stay in motels then took them for us being homeless when I asked my case worker if she could help us get into a house or shelter she replied that’s not my concern her exact words this is just one of about a hundred story’s over the last three years my lawyer said they were immune from civil suits which is a lie all lawyers are forced to tell there clients I am currently going back to school for bachelors then law school it Will probably take five to ten years to break down this barrier the government has built around us. Will be back with more facts
stacy says
Wow, you go guy! You sound like you have appraised the battlefield and are planning well for what you’ll need to do. There is definitely a time investment required here. I wish you many blessings, and so that you can pave the way for others who will come behind you.
Patrick says
My name is Patrick Williams. I am a college student and disabled veteran. I was home with my wife preparing for a speech I had to give in college, when CPS worker called my home. She said she and a uniformed officer were at my home due to a report concerning our children. When my wife and I let them in, (our first mistake ), she introduced herself and said she was investigating a ” report “. Allegedly, someone had called the agency and reported that I was outside verbally, and physically threatening harm to my wife whom appeared terrified , and on drugs. Now mind you, the day they came to our house was on February 16, two days after my wife and I had celebrated Valentines day. She went on to say could we allow my mom to watch our children while she conducted her investigation. I agreed, then she wanted me to sign papers. I kindly told her that our children never required my signature to visit their grandmother before, and without an attorney, I wasn’t signing ANYTHING. She left in a fury, and went straight to our children’s school and stopped my mother whom was picking up our kids, and gave an Emmy Award winning performance. ” Mrs. Williams, those children CAN NOT go home, I fear for their safety! ” My mom was like, “Lady, who the Hell are you, and what’s your trip?” She asked my mom could she watch the children, and mom agreed. To our surprise, she tried to get my.MOM to sign papers and she refused. Well, the next day, the same lady called and told me sarcastically , ” Mr. Williams, I have something you don’t want to hear. I got a court order to remove your children from the Judge, and I will be picking them up from school. I asked her why? Because someone ALLEGEDLY called in and said I threatened my wife, and that has yet to be proven. I’m not stupid, I knew that lady didn’t have a case, she just wanted a REACTION. Now friends of this forum, when is it standard practice to see a man threatening his wife, and you call CPS, versus 911? Needles to say, our children were WITHDRAWN from school, and sent over 200 miles from our city. Mind you, these are a 5,6, and a 7 year old whom were NEVER separated from us since birth. Due to an unexpected snow storm, they had our children for over 3 WEEKS, before the Adversary hearing. My wife and I both attended, refused the State’s request for a family plan, and stood before the Judge WITHOUT an attorney. This “Social Worker “, gave my wife 2 drug tests, hair follicle, and urine. When my wife asked for her results before court over the phone, she DISTINCTLY told my wife she passed the hair, but failed the urine with weed. My wife doesn’t smoke pot, so when she started arguing with the caseworker, I told her to just kindly hang up. I IMMEDIATELY took my wife to a different drug testing facility, and had the SAME exact tests administered. When the results came back 3 days before we went to court, GUESS WHAT? She passed BOTH. Now back to court. Remember the reason we were in court in the first place? You know, when I was supposed to have been threatening my wife??? They NEVER mentioned it. The came in and brought up crimes I committed since birth. Not one single time did the issue of a threat arise. Past history, prior offenses, concerning pot use in 1999. Not one time have I ever been arrested for domestic violence, child abuse of any shape or form. Remember my wife’s drug test When I questioned the social worker on why she lied about my wife’s results, she said she is Human, and makes mistakes. Guys, I assure you, this is not a joke. When my wife provided the courts with her results, the DA had them struck fromthe record. Now you think we would have received that perk if she had failed? In conclusion, when the Judge came back from recess, when he gave his decision, the FIRST words out of his mouth were, ” Parents have certain Civil and Constitutional Rights, and it is iny opinion that Mr. and Mrs. Williams rights were violated.” He went on to say that the State has a tremendous burned to prove when removing ones children, and the State had NOT met that burben. My wife and I with NO LEGAL EXPERIENCE, beat the DA, and the State. When our children were returned, we noticed they were very withdrawn. NY daughter at 6 years of age told us they had her housed with two 13 year olds, and one of them hit her in her forehead so hard, she became dizzy. My oldest son, 7, told us his foster patent choked him for constantly asking to go home. When I questioned the caseworker about it, her EXACT words were, ” Mr. Williams, children fight, the teacher was alerted of the incident, what do you want me to do? I called THEIR abuse hotline, and made a report, and have heard nothing. My children STILL have nightmares. They ask us daily are they going back to the foster home. This ain’t about money. Someone please tell me how I can sue these bastards for what they did to my family? Not using my veteran status as a crutch, bit is that how the phrase goes now? Thank you for your service, now give me your kids? I can put my LIFE on the line for MY country, and the STATE rewards me by hijacking my children? Someone PLEASE HELP!!!
Linda Jo Martin says
Patrick, please shop around for an attorney who would be willing to sue the state in federal court. Look for a civil rights or constitutional law attorney. You might find one by going to the nearest federal courthouse to look at cases already filed against the department of social services. If you look at the cases, find the names of attorneys that filed the cases – especially if they were successful in suing – they might want to do it again.
Justicecrusader says
Wow, this is crazy because this is the EXACT same thing that happened to me, and I am in Indiana. Get a copy of EVERYTHING, read your constituional rights, and file a 1983 claim against them in Federal Court. Hell, even the Judge said that your rights were violated. This happened to my family over a year ago, and my children still have nightmares and fear they are going to be suddenly snatched from their home too.
kristy says
Did you get your kids back?
I’m fighting the same fight in N.W.Indiana also pertaining to the fourth amendment rights and the 14 the as well. They can not just take children from no one regardless how they feel about you !
I’m standing alone to fight
I hope you won !
God bless
Kristy
Kenisha says
Hi I have two small children an 3yr old daughter and a 7mos old son on August 11,2015 my daughter had and accident at the park where some little boy pushed her off the playground she busted a vein in he eye her hands was swollen and she had marks and scraps on her face. I took her to the doctor and the doctor didn’t do anything but gave her some Tylenol and sent us on our way the next day she was find up playing around being her jolly o’l self. Come Thursday I get a phone call at work from my boyfriend saying thatvibwoyld have to take my daughter back to the er because now she’s throwing up and just laying around. I took her to the hospital and to make along story short she had to have an emergency surgery to close an hole in her stomach, remove part of her colon and her appendix. Csb has came an took my kids and placed them, my daughter is with her dad and my son is with my mom they are trying to say I abuse and neglect my kids. I’ve found some info online that I think will help me but I don’t know what to do. I don’t have a record nor have I ever been in anything like this before I got to work everyday matter of fact I’m a manger at my job and my kids don’t want for nothing. I just need to know where do I go from here so my kids can be back with me (their mother).
Heather says
I am almost absolutely positive I am being harassed by Hamilton County Ohio CPS after my 20 month old daughter acquired an fell on her arm wrong at daycare back in May where she was subsequently diagnosed with Nursemaid’s Elbow at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital ER..the same medical center where all of my children have received all of their medical care their entire lives. Naturally, I was angry with my child care provider for not contacting me when the event occurred and for failing to file an incident report so the daycare director of this establishment took it upon herself to contact CPS the day of the incident to avoid myself reporting her after I had discovered there was something seriously wrong with my daughter on that fateful May day. A week later, CPS strip-searched all three of my children and interrogated my 5 year old..all without my consent. Immediately following the interrogation and stripsearch, the same CPS caseworker who made initial contact with us a week earlier, came to my door with allegations of handprint bruising on my kids’ arms and legs (I can disprove this; I took pictures of my kids nude bodies and there wasn’t any bruising especially not any bruising characteristic of handprints and fingerprint marks) and that they had drafted a safety plan (the two most dreaded words in the English language) for my family. I kicked her off my porch; I was furious that my kids were subjected to such a sick and twisted unwarranted search and seizure based on such flimsy evidence; their only evidence was all just hearsay and speculation. I told her if she were to continue to harass me I would file a restraining order against her and a gag order on CPS (I don’t know if I can really do that..could I?). She had her supervisor contact my husband and her supervisor threatened my husband with the immediate removal of our three children if we did not agree to their “safety plan.” Their safety plan called for constant supervision of all of my exchanges with my children, weekly harassing visits from that idiot CPS worker, something called a FAIR assessment (which is really just a diagnostic assessment; the same diagnostic assessment used in diagnosing psychiatric disorders to determine an individual’s mental fitness as a parent performed by a state psychologist in which the CPS worker denied that the FAIR assessment was psychological testing to a build a case against a parent; she acted like it was a referral service and the diagnostic assessment is used to determine what kinds of services you could benefit from), counseling, parenting classes and anger management. My great grandmother supervised my parenting for two months; in those two months, I was completely stripped of my autonomy, alienated as a parent, treated like a mental patient, and honestly, I do not feel like I have the right to parent my children anymore. I had my youngest daughter evaluated for physical abuse thinking that perhaps the ER doc had to report us but when I explained the situation to my daughter’s pediatrician, she was outraged. She called in Children’s Hospital Legal Counsel and their social worker to discuss why this was happening to me. My daughter’s pediatrician showed me using the hospital database that no doctor has ever suspected neglect or abuse in my family nor have they ever reported it to CPS. The social worker attempted to make contact with my CPS worker numerous times to submit Children’s Hospital and Pediatrics Center reports but the caseworker never returned the social worker’s calls. My kids were also put in protective daycare during the day in which I almost feel like the caseworker and the supervisor were trying to entrap me into violating the Safety Plan because they never submitted a formal request for the protective daycare that they ordered and for nearly three weeks, my husband and I were nearly forced to make a decision either lose our kids or our income. The protective daycare would have costed us $700 per week which is entire weekly income before taxes. I was given the thorough run-around by CPS and Hamilton County Job and Family Services..first, I was told I needed to submit a Childcare Review Application then I was told by the idiot CPS supervisor that I need to just reapply for Childcare all over again using a new application (sounds idiotic but there’s a difference apparently). I even turned over all of my documentation and new application for Childcare over to her and she “lost” it. She also lied to me and told that the childcare division was on the 4th floor of Hamilton County Job and Family Services. After going down there for a 5th time, to drop off paperwork to Childcare, I had learned from a sheriff that there was no longer a childcare office in the building at all; all childcare division employees had been sub contracted out to undisclosed locations. I eventually aired my frustrations to a online HCJFS forum where I was contacted by the director of CPS; she straightened out the childcare issue but the other issue I was contending with was why they were insisting that I get all this psychiatric help. I have been seeing a psychologist since 2014 for Adult ADHD Combined Type and for Chronic Migraine (chronic migraine is caused by abnormally high and abnormally low serotonin levels in the brain). I explained to this director of Hamilton County Job and Family Services that a diagnostic assessment is only required in the event of a major life event in one’s life since my life circumstances hadn’t changed…no new assessment was needed. Not to mention, the facility where I was ordered to get the assessment by CPS is nothing but a glorified outpatient mental institution that assists the critically mentally ill apply for social security, felons to find halfway houses, and for substance abusers to allocate rehabilitative services; everyone that walks through their doors, according to them, are critically mentally ill whether they really are or not. The director agreed to permit to continue my own mental health treatment in lieu of their FAIR program and I knew where to attend parenting classes. I didn’t need their help. After this conversation, CPS vanished out of our lives for 4 weeks; not a call, not a letter, not a voicemail message, or a flair in the sky just disappeared. I thought it was over because of course, CPS is never going to admit when they are wrong. Two weeks ago, the CPS worker calls my grandmother and asks her if she had ever witnessed myself hitting my children..my grandmother said no..then she asked my grandmother if she had ever seen my husband hit the kids..she said no and the CPS worker asked if we had ever physically fought in front of the kids and my grandmother said no..at the close of the conversation, my grandmother was told that because I hadn’t gone to my FAIR assessment the safety plan would stay in place. I called them immediately and asked them what they wanted which was ridiculous..I was told by the director of CPS and by the supervisor of this psycho CPS worker that I did not have to attend the FAIR appointment if I had established care. I had scheduled an appointment with a therapist but cancelled it because I hadn’t heard from them. I pay this therapist in cash. Then she asked if she could come out to our house that Monday (about a week ago and a half ago); its not like I can tell her no. She comes to our house on Monday; says that our case is being transferred to an ONGOING (?) worker..I thought a safety plan was a service plan not an agreement to launch an investigation against you? Furthermore, I demanded to know why this is being carried to such an extreme..the idiot CPS worker replied because your daughter acquired an injury to her arm that the daycare claims did not happen in their care yet she BECAME injured at daycare grounds..THIS IS WHAT IT LITERALLY SAYS IN THEIR CASE PLAN FOR MY FAMILY VERBATIM..HOW CAN I POSSIBLY BE BLAMED AND CONTINUOUSLY HARASSED FOR THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE DAYCARE? IF MY DAUGHTER BECAME INJURED AT THE DAYCARE, SHE ACQUIRED THE INJURY IN THEIR CARE UNDER THEIR WATCH. AM I BEING BLAMED FOR DROPPING HER OFF AT DAYCARE? I DON’T GET THIS. In reality, it doesn’t matter where she got injured anywhere..SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NURSEMAID’S ELBOW..NURSEMAID’S ELBOW IS NOT THE RESULT OF ABUSIVE BLOWS AND IS TOTALLY NORMAL INJURY FOR A CHILD HER AGE. To make matters worse, I was told by the worker when she came out two Mondays ago, the investigative process would become drastically less invasive…caseworker visits limited to 2 times per month, I told them they were not to contact my therapist for any reason ( I read their manuals; I know they con people into therapy just dig up dirt on people), I told her she would a simple letterhead stating which areas needed improvement in vague terms and that have improved upon those areas in vague terms, I told her I didn’t want her harassing my kids at school or at daycare. She said it could take weeks before we would be appointed an ongoing worker…Yet, this dumb caseworker calls me two days later and requests to come out with the new ongoing worker this past Monday. Everything we had agreed upon had fell apart…both of them kept insisting I sign this HIPAA disclosure (still refused to sign it), still insisted upon speaking to my therapist over the phone (I told them no one wants to work with them and I didn’t even tell my therapist about their involvement to negate my therapist ending our relationship), asked what schools and daycares my kids were going to, and then to make matters worse, came out again Tuesday. And requested to come out again on Monday. I keep getting harassing termination of services letters or letters demanding compliance from different HCJFS divisions whether its childcare, Medicaid, or EBT. Literally, I receive 3 to 4 letters per day from HCJFS. Termination of the PIPP program notice I received in the mail today. Is this harassment? Most of these letters don’t even make any sense. I’m a senior at University of Cincinnati McMicken College of Arts and Sciences and I don’t understand what the Hell the letters entail. What can I do? Can I sue? There’s no basis for this..I was deprived of my rights to due process, I am being discriminated against and stigmatized for supposedly being too mentally ill to function, and I am incessantly being harassed, bullied, lied to, and sabotaged by CPS workers..
Justice74 says
It’s time for you to gather the evidence. Get a giant binder and start saving every piece of evidence they are “kindly” providing for you. If it’s a letter, save the envelope too. If it’s a phone call secretly record it. If its a face to face visit secretly video and audio record it. Make a detailed journal of every single day events.
A mother from Arizona is currently suing CPS of Arizona in federal court. She had THOUSANDS of recorded phone and face conversations with hospital employees and CPS. Check HealthImpactnews.com and Medicalkidnap.com
cindy says
Today we live in society full of hatred and darkness. . That’s our CPS Workers and our lawyers. And the judges. They are criminalizing the poor families all over American. Lets stop and bring back our babies home.. let our voice be heard.. my babies were stolen because of no electricity. . The CPS keeps in lying. Please someone help us.. anyone.. sincerely. Cindy. Skon
Linda Jo Martin says
Cindy, I can’t help everyone one-on-one… it would be impossible. Also I’m not legally allowed to have clients. However, this site contains everything I would suggest, and it is here for everyone to read and learn from. This is the only help I can provide.
You can create your own personal strategy for your CPS case. This works well because you know your situation better than anyone, and you have that parental instinct to know what’s best for your children. You may have to enlist your court appointed attorney’s help for some things. I hope you can make that person into a friend who will want to help you fight your case in court.
cindy says
I just want my voice to be heard and help other families who might be going through same thing. Our appointed lawyers are not here to help. They are only for themselves. They don’t care our best interest of our children. Neither are the CPS. . They are only interested in making profits of our babies. We had visitation yesterday with our children. Never happen. .my husband and I walked 8 miles in pouring rain rain. They the caseworker did this purposely. . They all lies. I just want the words to be out to all families who love their babies. Don’t criminalize the poor. Criminalize the CPS, and the judges who are hurting our babies and families. Let stop this. Bring back all Brandon , Alex and Abby
Please help us anyone. 8135349326
Linda Jo Martin says
Cindy, I hope you wrote about your visitation experience in your case notebook. You can also write visitation reports after every visit. You can send a copy of your report to the caseworker and request any corrections s/he might have within ten days. These visitation reports can be used as evidence in court, attached to your Declaration of Facts.
cindy says
Yes I have documented every visit. Monday we were to visit. Never showed up with our children. Yesterday kept calling my caseworker. Just lies. Lies. Today kept calling. Finally got hold of her. She said she needs to talk to her attorney. And will call back. Never called back. Please help us. All because of no electricity. Our lights are on. We have food,clothes and love. What can CPS offer?? Hurting our innocent children and poor families. Please, please help anyone. Cindy skon
Linda Jo Martin says
Cindy, we can’t help directly. You will need to prepare your own case and try to get your lawyer’s cooperation to help you with filing legal documents so the judge will know what’s really going on. The help I give is to write what I know on this site so everyone can use the information. We also have a support message board here.
Nikki says
I am wanting to in contact with the mother out of Hamilton county Ohio named Heather that is also being unlawfully violated by this sick evil cps in Cincinnati. We prob have the same rude unprofessional law breaking caseworker that illegally removes kids and lies to get away with hit. Please contact me Heather I want to file a class action.
Nicole R says
Heather my name is Nicole me and my two daughters are victims of the corruption by Hamilton Co Ohio cps and I and several other families have got together and found a badass fed attorney who filed a class action against Hamilton county Ohio evil child stealing law breaking caseworkers. Please contact me asap my email is nicole4justice2015[at]gmail.com I hope you get my message.
Andrea says
I’m in Hamilton. My name is Ryah. I have also been fighting cps for up to almost 4yrs for my 2 oldest kids and itll be almost 2 for my youngest. Would love to talk to you Nicole if that might be a possibility?
nikki says
Hi I’m a mother in Hamilton County being attacked by this injust system. Please contact me at 513-444-0208
Edith says
Its a long story were waiting on a court date we filed against the foster parent because they did go by the court order and my husband never had a case with CP’s but they took his right and the foster parents have the child thinking my husband is her uncle she’s not allowed to call him dad its a very sad story but very long and way how long does a court date take and what are markups we keep getting those on the civil website we have a lawyer and the FP have been served already so we waiting someone plz help or point me in the right direction thanks
Linda Jo Martin says
Edith, I’m glad you have a lawyer. Did you ask your lawyer about the court date and markups? I’m sorry I don’t have the answers to your questions. I hope you will prevail over those foster parents.
Shely says
Hi I am trying to get help I have 14 years old son he is on probation and the other judge over turn it put him in foster care and know with kinship care dcs try to do a icpc to get him in different state and I am not allowed to see him but the other parents is is there anything I can do and dcs worker can’t keep his words straight when he talks need help
Krystin says
Hi I have 2 young boys 3 and 2 back in Feb of 2015 they were taken from me. Prior to them being taken I found out that the guy I was seeing was hurting my children while I was at work. We narrowed the time line down to about 3 days that no one besides me n the man saw my children. When cps got involved my children were no longer around n hadn’t been around this man. I had family in another state about to move me n my children there n then we were Goin to seek medical and state help. Anyway after 6 months I finally have my adjudication on top of that cps gravely screwed up and didn’t do the proper research. Then the judge was breaking the law allowing the sate to use hearsay and overruling every objection to it. They made up facts they had no actual proof to and aloud irrelevant information into the case they built against me. I have no prior history of anything except physical mental and emotional abuse on me by my father and his wife with whom they placed my children which is also illegal. They have denied the father his rights to his children and my children remain in foster care. This has caused me to have severe ptsd along with depression and now they r trying to say I’m mentally unstable and the are closing my side of the case while they try to build a case on there father. On top of everything my youngest child is special needs and they aren’t taking his special needs into consideration. The judges ruling was an opinion and I’m wondering what can I do?? I’m a young mother but my children have been more then taken care of by me please can anyone help me?
Linda Jo Martin says
Krystin, do you still have a court ordered service plan? Did you do everything required? If you claim to have PTSD and depression they will use that against you.
This is a self-help site. Please read: Who Will Prepare Your Case? I am not able to work on individual cases because I’m not a lawyer – it isn’t legally permitted. In most states, only you and your lawyer can work on the case. Has your lawyer offered any help?
Angela Partin says
MY DAUGHTER ANGEL HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM ME ON APRIL1,2015. MINE AND MINE HUSBAND’S ATTORNEYS TOLD US TO AGREE TO NEGLECT SO WE THAT WE WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING MY DAUGHTER BACK. DSS HAS CLAIMED THAT I TOOK MY DAUGHTER ANGEL TO THE DOCTOR AND SPECIALISTS TOO MUCH. DSS HAS CLAIMED THIS IS NEGLECT. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET MY DAUGHTER ANGEL BACK.
Linda Jo Martin says
Angela, I’m not an attorney and can’t have clients. All I can do is write what I know on this website so you can develop your own strategy for your CPS case, hopefully with the help and agreement of your lawyer. Please read: Who Will Prepare Your Case? … did you already sign that guilty plea in court? Or did you ask for a trial?
R says
Get a good attorney fire back and make sure what your attorney telling you is not BS too. Don’t trust the state and don’t trust attorneys too. They all working together to pay their bills. Go to federal court. I been there done it. Do not do an interview with a cps without an attorney. Make sure you have the copy of the report she is writing about u. Show those cps u are fighter and will fight for ur children.
All mothers out there fire back do not talk to cps without an attorney.
R says
Everything is just about money the judge get paid, attorney get paid and cps get paid. And you have nothing still fighting for your children that country is corrupt!
Especially trying taking kids out from good homes to make money for adoption and foster. That is all about
carlos says
Hi my name is carlos. about 2 years ago i was in jail for a false charge wich i beat .anyways in my 2nd week my girl breida gave birth to my yungest son Cruz, she was dirty of meth, and i wasent aware of her using. And she dont even know how u use it. So the test is 99% accurate maybe she was that 1% who knows so 2 days later a cps worker calls me and asks me to bring my son carlos and i to the hospital wher breida was at and tells me that he is gonna remove cruz.only and about a week later at court the judge removed my oldest lil carlos the reson why was because i was a gang member but im 27 now i dont think like when i was 18. That tore me apart dident no how to react i felt like a bastard for not protecting my son frome those uniforme bitches. Anyways my girl cryd and cryd for days and i told her that i was gonna go and live in ventura county with my brother so that way we thout they might give her my son back but hell no a year later they wher letting my son stay the kniths with her and i went to visit them at her house and ther i cought she the cps was happy i begd her not to take him but she sead no u shuld of listen to the judge so she tryd putting my son in the car seat and she couldent she lost it and there it happend she threw him in the car seat and did it again and breida called the police they arrived and sead that this was weird that its usually them calling the police not the people any ways a few days later we tryd getting a call history number at the police station they attended everyone but us months later breida tryd again and now they sead that they cant find nothing. Now they tell her that her parental rights are being terminated.now breida was born in mexico her mom brought her here because they killed her dad infront of her so they came to seek a better life now being a citizen of mexico cant she take my sons to her cuntry mexico i mean she is the mom… i dont know we really dont know what else to do we need help we love our sons carlitos and cruz. If someone can help us pleas call us at 209-405-6015
Linda Jo Martin says
Carlos, I’m so sad to read this story about the upcoming TPR trial. I hope someone who can help will call you. If your girlfriend wants to be a mother, she should probably go back to Mexico where they’re less likely to take future children because of what happened here.
cindy says
My 3 beautiful innocent babies were. Taken by the CPS because of no electricity. .my husband I. Protested. . Cops threatened. Us and said we won’t see our babies. We have seen them 3. Times in a month.. and our next court date 2 months away.. my youngest. Daughter Abby is 6 and the value. One for them to make money.. lawyers. CPS and judges. Are not protecting families or our children. All they care about is money.. help poor families.. bring back all our children where we as family. Can love and take care of them. Stop the darkness that’s going on in. Our court’s,CPS. Workers.. lets our voice be heard.. join together.. my number 8135349326.. please help.. Cindy
cindy says
If moms everywhere knew that they could be criminalize for just losing their job by the state and being threatened by speaking up there would be mass of outrage. As a mother I have to protect my babies. So help me and yourself to shine light onto the CPS workers, lawyers and judges. Stop stealing our children. Lets bring them. All home. Cindy skon 8135349326
luwana smith says
I need advice. For 11 years the case for my daughter had me as dead. Yet I still got hit for child support. Do I have a case because I feel the documents were wrong.
Linda Jo Martin says
Luwana, there’s something called the “Statute of Limitations” that keeps people from suing if the case is too old. You would have to see a local lawyer to ask if the statute of limitations has tolled already. The laws and time limits are different in every state, and different for various types of cases. Look in your phone book for civil rights attorneys to talk to. Most attorneys will give you a free introductory consultation so they can determine whether they want to work on your case.
Tracy says
My granddaughter was taken from me ….It’s a very long story, but there was no neglect or abuse and I wasnt charged with any. She has been in foster care since Sept 2014!!!!! I’ve done everything they have asked of me. EVERYTHING. They have harassed and bullied me. They work against me instead of with me for reunification. They have treated me like crap. There is no reason for her to be in foster care. She should be with me. Here is something else that is interesting…she told me that my daughter wasn’t allowed around her and that she couldn’t live in the same place as her, yet, just yesterday, she said that she had to live with me until her apt was ready and that if she did everything right she would get my granddaughter back (she was charged with abandonment and neglect). What have I been working for all this time??? Almost a year of case plans….working around their schedule. Driving for visits. The only place that would give me an apt without the child actually with me (social services said she had to have her OWN room), is about 40 min away from the visitation spot for my visits, only twice a week for 3 hours. Why did they have me do all of this?? AND….I have them on voice recorder bullying me…to control me and make me lose out on visit time with my granddaughter. They tried to tell me i needed to have her back earlier because the foster parent refused to come later. She can’t refuse, that’s her job. Geez. I told them no. They said they would call the police and have me arrested if i left with the child. I left. Needless to say, i wasn’t arrested because they were only bullying me, and had no grounds. They also tried to say they would just call the judge and tell him they were going to leave early and so i would have to bring her back early. First, that’s a lie, second, it doesn’t matter because I have unsupervised visits. Doesn’t matter if they are there or not. I’m so tired of this. I need help so bad.
Linda Jo Martin says
Tracy, do everything you can to support your daughter’s attempt to get the child returned to her. They will not reunite children with grandparents at all, unless they are Kinship caretakers through their system. They only work with the parents to restore custody. Do read this site and help her get ready for court. You will have to develop your own strategy (hopefully with the help of the lawyer) and probably you’ll have to write your own legal documents because most lawyers in these cases don’t do it.
Tes says
We’ll I have a problem I have a granddaughter that has been in a dope house for almost two years her mother has 2 other children that were born addicted to drugs and now the mother is in jail and I am just trying to get my granddaughter OUT of there it’s a horrible and horrifying place for the children to be and the mother had 14 cases in a 2 year time but the other grandmother who was also involved in the drugs will not let me have her so I’m trying to figure out what do I need to do ,who do I need to contact .and all the children have different father’s but I just won’t my granddaughter to come home with me to a safe ,loving ,nurturing ,environment . the horror story continues but I just wanted to give you the logistics . I live in Texas.
Linda Jo Martin says
Tes, please start shopping around for a family law attorney. Most will give you a free initial consultation. You would probably be better off by going to family court than to contact CPS. I cannot tell you how many grandparents called CPS for help and then regretted it because CPS would not give them custody. Many of those children were adopted out to strangers, never to be seen again. To call CPS is like rolling the dice – you don’t know what they’ll do. Please see an attorney about going to a family court.
Danielle says
Looking to file a law suit against DCS. any help?
Linda Jo Martin says
Danielle, what state are you in? Normally you would be the one to start looking for an attorney who could help.
Renee says
I recently moved to AZ but was in IL for a court case. Decided to stay in IN for the night. My older son ran away in Indiana and lied about being homeless and not going to school in AZ. He was taken into custody along with my younger child. We had a retention hearing and the judge decided to keep my children because I didn’t bring a letter from my job stating that I had permission to leave for court in IL. I wasn’t told that I needed that and was just given a list of what I needed at court. They then scheduled a fact finding hearing for 2 months later in which I wasn’t allowed to go into and was re-scheduled for 3 months later. They have accused me of not providing for my children in Arizona but have seen pictures of my house, a copy of my lease, tax returns, insurance card, vehicle registration, and spoke with relatives who can confirm that we live in AZ. They kept my oldest child out of school for over a month. The caseworker threatened to leave the kids in the system if I didn’t answer her questions about who lives in my home. She purposely messed up the ICPC by putting the wrong number for me and giving my oldest sons dad number instead. What rights do I have as a mom to sue them? I have given them everything that they need and I still can’t get my children.
Linda Jo Martin says
Renee, you have the right to sue them, but getting an attorney willing to help you when the children are still in custody – well, that’s very difficult. Have you tried finding an attorney yet? Can you move to Indiana until this case is settled? If they expect you to complete a service plan it would help to be in the same county.
Justicecrusader says
I am in Indiana and I may be able to help you. Please contact me justicecrusader three twenty at gmail dot com. All one word.
winifred says
I live in Wichita ks and I need an lawyer in Kansas who is not scared of cps and not plotting against me HELP
Latiesha says
I have similar case. JasperCounty DSS, took my kids, and placed them in care stating that I had to sign papers along with a Jasper County office that knows me personally…… Here’s what happened. My daughter said to my family that the guy I was dating placed his hand on her in an inappropriate manner. So my brother took my daughter to file a report. I was looking for my daughter but my brother had her at police department. They guy I was dateing is registered as a sex offender. So the officer told me to bring my kids to police department that afternoon, but I spoke to CPS supervisor and she said my kids could stat with my Aunt. Well, this was a lie. They needed to due a home accessment on my Aunts house, but never attempted. They the next day the officer said she was placing my kids in care after speaking to her major. Well she knows me and the guy I was dating and my family watched as her feelings towards him played into her decision for care. This began on a Friday but I removed my kids as soon ad I was made aware, my biological mother and my brother took my daughter to the police after my daughter’s father had called police already. Now all four of my kids are in care. After being in care they didn’t get nor give me any paperwork. Thereare so many details, but I have been violated my rights and have so many people helping me the mom because I created a safety plan and removed my children and the guy I was dating left the home, but I changed my address and took heed to haul butt from the home. I will post my win. I did nothing to harm my kids. My kids feel as if they did something wrong. They cry and ask me when O can come get them. Its so upsetting to me, but I will win. DONT GIVE UP THE FIGHT! STAND FIRM AND IF U HAVE TO PAWN YOUR CAR AS I AM, GET A LAWYER. I WILL SELL IT ALL FOR MY CHILDREN. ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SC CPS LAW CALL ME 843-290-2747
Julie says
I signed a TPR & yet DHS is still insisting on interviewing me, looking at my house, and now saying I need to pay child support! How can this be? If my child isn’t in the home, I have no parental rights, why do I need to go thru their bullshit crap? And child support? Shouldn’t my ex be paying that? I’m on a fixed income, I can’t afford it & besides, he gets a check of his own. When will this end?
Linda Jo Martin says
If you no longer have parental rights you probably shouldn’t still be liable for ongoing child support, but if you still owe past child support for when you did have parental rights, they will want to collect that.
Julie says
My ex owes a LOT of back support, which I’m fine with giving up & having it go to my son, but he (my son), also has an SSI check that he gets because of my disability check. Shouldn’t all that be enough for my child? And they are still insisting I need to be interviewed by DHS. What is that going to accomplish?
Linda Jo Martin says
Julie, who is asking you to be interviewed by DHS? Is this request coming from a social worker, or from a judge? The social worker might want to know if your disability interferes with your ability to take care of your child.
Eric says
i’m currently in a case with CPS. they have my son staying with some of our relatives for the time being but they are saying they are “passing the case to another county”, which doesn’t exactly make any sense, considering that this county is the one which the allegations were made and where our child is housed. we have tried to call them numerous times each day for the past month and a half and CPS has only answered the calls one time, after leaving several voice messages. they have yet to contact us with any information regarding the case, yet had told our relatives housing our son that they were passing to another county, after stating previously that they were opening a case with us to return our son to us with check ins. this just doesn’t seem right to me. i understand complying with the case plan for check ins, but the rest of it seems illegal from my stand point. any advice? i’d greatly appreciate it. we want our son back asap, he’s only 2 months old and we are very distraught without him.
Linda Jo Martin says
Eric, I have no idea why they are passing your case to another county. I’ve never heard of this before. When do they plan to start returning your baby to you? Have they increased visitation time yet? If you can’t get phone calls returned, can you go to the office and wait there until someone can see you about the status of the case?
Justice74 says
Are you recording all the phone calls that you made? If you haven’t do it now and keep a very detailed journal. Record and video tape each interaction secretly if necessary. Get this book it’s $5 on Kindle from Amazon “Profane Justice” by Suzanne Shell. Study it diligently.
Kim says
I am not sure if there’s anything I can do or not, but I had cod come to my home, I complied and then the worker asked if she could talk to my son at school I told her no! She went anyways. Is there anything I can do?!? Now, because my son is in an “out of district” school he will not be able to go there next year.
silent.benoit says
what can be done if cps comes 5 times in same school year force them selfs into home talk with children without permission multi times tell parents its about domestic violence tell kids its about them and every time its false reports this last time make 5th time they accused 3 time spoken to my kids after i made it clear no more pls help my family
francisca says
I have same problem with cps coming to my childrens school asking questions talking to our children behind our backs am so tried of it
Amanda Onstott says
It is your right for them to NOT enter your home. Start recording and keep all evidence TOGETHER! File a paper with your child’s school that is notorized that no one can question your babies. You need to put them in there place!!
jennifer says
I jad my 4 older children removed in 2011 and its wasnt drug related or domestic violence or alcoholic abuse it was financial stability they said and I even though I completed my case plan they feel I did learn anything so my oldest is with his father and my next 2 children are with there father and my 4th child is with a third party not relative which my 1st & 4th child have the same father. Since then the case was closed to supervised visits the only one to comply is my oldest childs father. And since then I had my 5th child in jan. of 2014 she is almost 17 months old and children services came into my hospital room an hr after I had her and when she was being relased told me she was going home with me cause I had anesthesia and percocet the doctor gave me right after recovery room from an emergency c-section and I could live in an rv that had running water electric & sewage cause it was too small was one excuse the next was you dont have a lease & I have a job in management make 5-6k a month I have a lease with my name in it and complied with everything and there trying to say the same thing they dont feel ive benefited from the case plan tasks what do I do?
jennifer says
Is there an attorney who can take my case please my daughter scream and cries mommy everytime the foster care people pick her up after my twice a week visit there’s something not right and I believe I went to high scholl with the foster lady!!!
Nakiamoon says
You, have got to stand up for your family…Your womb out weighs anything else….Document and noterize everything take pictures, save receipts on purchases made…the tv judges say it best always keep a paper trail….if you have a public defender load the emails and store those communications too 325 emails within a 2 1/2 year span got our family restored…Just as you birthed them you have the same power to restore your family! Do not sit back! Lace up your sneakers and go another round!
Linda Jo Martin says
Jennifer – you have had your baby in foster care for about 17 months, so you probably have an attorney… right? I hope you can use the information on this site for your hearing if this is now going to a TPR trial. For example, the legal documents – you could use the “Objections and Corrections to the Report of the Social Worker” perhaps…?
megan says
Hi is there any lawyers that will file a lawsuit against cps in Florida???? My civil rights have been broken and I keep getting lied to Also my case worker went to high school with me and I asked for a different worker and didn’t get anywhere.my number is 9four15two7six99zero.
Sandy says
I hear you my daughter has been going through hell here I wish we would have never moved here the new judge and the childnet attorney made my daughter make a choice because she is on prescribed medicine either place her son in daycare or give them her medical records and permission to talk to her doctors they railroaded her this was not her usual judge and the judge and attorney you could tell were real good friends I know they violated her hippa law rights!
judy balcom says
Dear Parent’s take note the intake worker and supervisor do not follow the law and expect you not to know the difference go up the chain to the governs advice center. Then sue the heck out of the State I want a Million a day that Oregon wrongfully and knowingly kept my son without just cause and allowed him to be hurt and failed to care for him while he was sick and only now in my care is he being treated for tonsillitis. watch out they often change the Courts order without the court even knowing about it, But in me they found a whistle blower and a parent that will go up the chain and I like to get every ones names numbers and email addresses so I can send one and all my complaints or concerns or point out all illegal activity. I also want the Jobs of the intake worker and the supervisor and they not ever allowed to work with children ever again or in any governmental job or county or city. The others to be put on suspension without pay for their part and portion in any and all wrong doing to me and my son and our enter family. I also seek criminal charges to be pressed to the full extent of the law I am not the first they have done pernicious to , but if I have anything to do with it I WILL BE THE LAST!
Crystal Avenger says
I’m in Cameron park, California and I have had 7 beautiful daughters. This year was supposed to be are family’s new beginning, but little did my husband and I know, that it would be the year of a tremendous loss with only anxiety mixed with confusion is my way of trying to explain this into words but also the way I feel everyday. My husband and I lost our new born baby girl to SIDS she was only 3months old . The same age as my baby sister was when she passed away from SIDS when I was 12yrs old . The same but even more intense emotions and traumatizing memories and anxiety unexplainable . They lost my sister for 6months we didn’t know were she was or how could this even be happening but of course the lost my daughter as well so now it’s in the back of my head that what if that’s not not my child they are trying to give me. Cps came in and my husband was home at the time with our 4 out of 6 children living. Our two oldest was finishing out the rest of the school year with my brother and his wife and we just had moved from my brothers home pryor being in a homeless shelter and they asked us to come all move in with them two weeks after asking them to help with my two oldest daughters with there schooling until we got into our new place. Cps came into our home twice before and my kids were just fine a little shook up we all were. We were experiencing a unbelieveable tradgity and needed to be together, and I wasn’t home one time and the took my four girls and told my brother and his wife to file for my two oldest daughters . I haven’t seen my kids since my baby passed away I lost my hole family in two weeks I can’t believe I’m still here and alive in sound mind and body. Will to keep fighting for them with my 6th grade education . After my baby sister died I lost the will to wake up everyday for school I just couldn’t wake up I would just sleep my mother ended up going to jail because of my server depression and anxiety. So to loose my child and then all of my other babies rite after my brother and his wife calling cps telling get them wat a horrible and dangerous mother and my children need to be removed from my home there in danger of being in my care. Yah don’t you remember I was asked to come move in with them and there children in there home and then moved out but they didn’t say anything about me being a a threat until my baby died they called the day after she passed because I didn’t want to talk to anyone at that time no one or nobody could ease my mind and I know that god has blessed us with your help please I have so much more to my case that if I was educated with the proper motions and make them show burden of proof with an evidentrie findings from the state the cps attorney should have to prove my kids are in imeadeit danger if left in my care. I would of been had my babies back soon real soon so help us God. Amen
Thank you for your time
The Avenger Family
Linda Jo Martin says
Crystal Avenger – even if your brother hadn’t called CPS when your infant died, CPS would have investigated anyhow because they do that when a child dies… they want to make sure the rest of the children are safe. Also it seems they don’t believe in SIDS. I’m very sorry for your loss… not only the baby but also the other children. I hope you will get them back.
Kimberly says
i’m dealing with cps in Kentucky right now and I as well jumped through all the hoops almost done with it all they claim sexual abuse happened it did not we took her to several doctors who say it didn’t happen they got my daughter on all kinds of medication now they said due to the fact of here pee her pants is a sign what child don’t have acidents every now and then because they forget to go bathroom well they cut my mom out completely and due to my daughter acting out they blame me and cut me out she is still being bad it’s not like im in her ear making her be bad they are discriminating against me saying basicly im too stupid to care for my kids then said my apartment was not up to there standerds told them as soon as the kids come home I would move to a bigger place now they say I don’t have enough money well that’s crazy I seen poor people raise kids an they turned out just fine I think im going to sue them for discrimination and for the destruction of my family I failed to protect my kids from what nothing happened all they say is they have this so called evidence but wont prove it when asked I am getting tire of the run around and games it has been a year and 3 months too long and also the dads get to keep there visits how come they get special treatment and not me they told me they can take my kids without my signature I refuse to sign them over they shouldn’t be aloud to use some ones handicap against them that’s why I believe I have a case during one visit my son had this awfull diaper rash I changed him told the foster mom she needed to put medicine on it she goes I know she has 2 boys of her own and cant diaper a baby boy I should not have to tell her how and all the lies told on m I do not appreciate so im definitely going for it made complaints to the state they said nothing
judy balcom says
If your not guilty plead not guilty and fight with all evidence you can bring together. Go up the chain getting all names and numbers and email addresses of all the supervisors all the way to the governs advocacy center. oh yes get fax numbers and what you send on you send all put all in print so you have your paper trial and this will help when you sue the state in federal court. I believe we must all take a stand and bring the state to it’s finical knees so the children’s protective services STOP going after family’s because they look like an easy target that don’t fight and are manipulated by their own lawyer. My adult children tell me public defender’s are called public pretender’s. I had two of those and I turned them in to the state bar and The Judges that are rubber stamped for DHS OR CPS OR what ever it’s called in your area the Judicial commotion investigates Judges. Find a tort civil lawyer to sue the state and go big on damages for their wrongful impact on the child or children plus all the family is damaging for life. I like to record some say no , but I seek to change that as they work for the state and this is not their privet life and the fabricate and misrepresent the truth beyond belief.
Judy May Balcom
robin says
I would like to know how to get cps off my back? I am a mother of 2 kids. (age 9,6) This is the second time in 5 years they have been here.
Can you advise me of the protocol I need to use to get through this and keep the kids.
Linda Jo Martin says
Robin, that’s what this site it for… to suggest ways to deal with your CPS involvement. Most important, you should get an attorney in your local area to help (or the next county over) to help you. I can’t give specific advice because I’m not an attorney and because every case is different – every situation is unique. I hope that what I’ve written here will help you develop a strategy for keeping your family safe.
Brittany says
Linda,
First and foremost, I want to thank you for your dedication to this website. When I went through the harrowing experience of having my children removed from my care last year, this was the first website I came across that greatly helped me along the way. I wanted to reach out to you because as I read your forums, my heart continues to break and my spirit grieves for the parents here. I am reading so many posts that just end in “please, help” and I remember that being my silent and public cry as I tried reaching out to lawyers I couldn’t afford, and for advice that never seemed to really quite help. I am currently suing employees of the Indiana Department of Child Services in Federal Court for a violation of my constitutional rights regarding deliberate actions taken while investigating my case.
I am representing myself, yet I am still in need of help. The case goes to trial in August (Lord willing) and I still need help raising funds necessary to pursue this case in way that gives me a little more leverage. For example, there are transcripts needed for discovery of evidence that I have difficulty obtaining. Also, there are witnesses that I would like to call who would need to be compensated for their time. On top of this, my family and I are battling homelessness. I would like to share my story in a public forum (tv interview, newspaper interview) to raise awareness about my case and my campaign, however, I would like to do so without jeopardizing my case. Reporters here are reluctant to pick this story up. Do you have any advice for me? Anything you could offer would be greatly appreciated!
Also, I would like to speak to the mother/parent reading this who have come across this site after staying up late on a work night searching for answers, or the mom who is looking for solutions not knowing where else to go but Google, I AM PRAYING FOR YOU. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. The One true Living God in Heaven sees your hurt, struggle, and knows your pain. Please, trust in Him. I am trusting Him to be my lawyer and used Him as my stronghold through my storm and He brought me through-My children were found to be children Not in need of services and when CPS tried me in criminal court out of retaliation, they lost that battle too. I know that it hurts. But there are people like me who are rising up every day to fight back against the evil that wants to take our children. God is a God of righteousness, and He will deliver you just like He delivered me. Please visit my blog to view my video, or visit the GoFundMe link above to learn more information. STAY STRONG.
Linda Jo Martin says
Brittany, I’m glad to hear this site helped you and that you’re now suing in federal court. If you have a lawyer helping you with that, you could ask that person about going to the media. Since your case is now in public court, it could be a news item that the local media would like to share. So long as your lawyer doesn’t object you could give the case information (whatever is already a public record) to the media and let them interview you. I’m glad you conquered the system and hope your federal lawsuit will be successful.
Dawn says
PLEASE SHARE-
FEDERAL LAWSUIT-OPEN ADOPTIONS!
https://justice4families.wordpress.com
WE HAVE A LAWYER-TIME SENSITIVE
Elizabeth says
How long do u have to get DHS for wrongful termination I lost my kids in 2005 didn’t know my laws or any thing til now everyone want to give me hope but I lost my rights in 2007 and now they all 4 of my kids are almost 18 and telling me the adopted families are treating them like crap. Is there anything I can do now that they are all 14 and over? Or did I mess up everything for not knowing my rights and what to do? I am from Iowa by the way..
Linda Jo Martin says
Elizabeth, your children will be able to sue as soon as they are 18 but there’s a limited time (maybe two years?) for them to take action. They should contact an attorney as soon as they age out.
crystal says
Elizabeth hi my name is Crystal .. please contact me I’m in the same boat as you except my kids are being alienated from me and abused by non relative guardians. 7725717418.
Helen says
Elizabeth, your kids are old enough to tell the courts now, how they are being treated and to stress that they want to be with their mother! They can even go to the newspapers and news media and tell their story! I suggest they do that, CPS is and has been in hot water over the way they take kids away from their family’s and mistreated! It is time for them and you to take action! I wish you all luck if you do this!
unknown says
Sounds like dcs,sells,children black market, perhaps a legal way to do so…..there in my life to I need guidance on sueing for harassment before mine get sold.
Koree says
I would like to know cps placed my niece with me at 4 weeks old because the mother tested positive for drugs.It was 6 months b 4 any contact from mom. Within 2mnths cps stated mom complete all service but visitation and financial obligations.9mnths later cps states all visits must b completed and weekend visits and neither
were done. 10mnths later they grant weekend visits, after informing cps of instability in mom life the weekend visit is placed in hold. 11mnth later cps grants return home with no further investigation and do not notify me that they are doing so. CPS tells me it is a weekend visit but it really wasnt. When i ask Monday why i havent recieve the baby back i am told the mother doesnt have to and i have no legal right. Is this true and is there any thing i can do
Linda Jo Martin says
Koree, that does sound strange and unusual but if they want the baby with the mother there’s nothing you can do about it. Please try to accept the situation and be happy for those involved.
anonymous says
When a mom gets better there is nothing you can do about it she did her right by law and to her child by getting better, now if they were concerned and she was still doing drugs then they wouldn’t give her child back. No one should be kept away from their child if they have gotten better don’t judge her unless she is really doing something. Just pray that you guys have a better relationship you should still be able to have visitation, but still let her be a mom. You will have to go to court to get visitation, just don’t harass her. You talk like your nieces mom isn’t your sister nowadays everyone needs to be better family be the better person and open up to your sister, and ask her how she is doing.
Angelita says
How can I pursue the cps when they are the ones that are supposed to be helping me. Call after call to them and the crisis center about my granddaughter. I can’t get any help or return calls. How can I get the cps to help me with my granddaughter? It’s been 3 weeks since my daughter fled with my granddaughter. She has been a flight rish and previous issues with social services yet they have no interest in my granddaughters well being. How do I get help with this?
anonymous says
Get a petition to find out where she is and then file for visitation just don’t be rude to her that is her child, what did she do? Why don’t you help your daughter instead of being the enemy?
joe says
http://www.petition2congress.com/10413/family-court-corruption-to-abolish-title-iv-d-funding-from-states/
Michelle says
12 yrs ago cps removed my son from my household, saying I hit him in his mouth. I told them that I had took him to the dentist because he had a tooth growing in front of another one and it was causing him to scrape the inside of his bottom lip. They told me that I could find a place for him or he’d be placed in foster care. Thank god my 60+ yrs old grandmother took him. He was returned to me 30 days later and the dentist did confirm what I was saying. I recently have been trying to gain custody of my grandson and they are using this against me. I also found out that they illegally took my son because I never was issued a court date to appear before a judge. So their illegal actions is still haunting me. I am going to file a federal lawsuit for the on going abuse they are inflicting on me and its been going on for 12 yrs. I’m hoping this is the route to go.
anonymous says
Bring your dental medical records to the bigger court hearing, plus gather all witnesses(dentists, clerical workers there that day), remember all cps names so you can bash them in court with evidence. Btw do you mind me asking what is wrong with your grandsons environment and guardians that he needs to be taken ? Just wondering?
sue says
the cps placed my nieces and nephew in my home in sept 2014 but because of my boyfriend/son dad (assault) on his background record they said they can’t paid, but i don’t care about the money i just want my nieces and nephew to stay with me. This kids is my world i named them I was there when there mom gave birth to them, this kids is my everything and i don’t really care about money i want them to know that I’m here for them, on the first of December I got a call from the caseworker that they are working on giving me the guardianship that news is the best news ever, the caseworker told me the guardianship meeting will be in Jan. 2 days before the guardianship meeting they called me that they are picking up the kids because they have report that the kids been having unsupervised visit with there mom and i can get guardian due to my boyfriend record… 1st thing about there mom unsupervised visit i don’t know where they get that information from but the kids barely seen there mom, she works at nights and that a 30 minutes drive for me to get to where she staying at she never spent the night at my house and if i go with the kids to visit her I’m always there where they at, I ask the caseworker what if she find out this is all not true what going to happen she said she don’t know what the hell she works there and she doesnt know what she doing non of this is all true. 2nd its the guardian because of my boyfriend how come they didn’t invest it some more before they placed the kids in my care I never ask them for anything the kids are happy in my care they got everything they want and the caseworker had to said oh Im sorry its there fault oh darling sorry doesnt cover it. I want to sue them for lying to me and destroy my family.. I can’t even come home til my boyfriend gets of from work because I missed them so much my son always asking about them and I still can’t tell him where they at, I cry every day thinking about them, I usually sleep in the living room and up the whole nights but ever since the kids are gone I been sleeping in the room I go to sleep right when I get home til the morning cause I don’t want my son to watch me crying the cps had destroy my family….so what are my changes of wining what can I do to get them… My sister agree to sign over all her rights to me can she still do that even if her kids in the cps system and can I get full custody even if my boyfriend have a assault on his record ps:the assault is from 7 years ago… pls any help…thanks
anonymous says
There is a moderate chance of custody, you need a really good lawyer, so far if your sister is giving you custody that might be easier on you, but if they find out that your boyfriend has assault charges from 7 years and not recently and it was only on an adult then I hardly doubt they would refuse. Especially if you have a great environment and a room for those children. They would probably have to put him through a mental test first just as a precaution. Just stating the facts to help you know ahead of time might what happen. Good luck you can do it. :)
Sierra says
I me off at the hospital and left me am seeking help w/an issue I ammdealing with from CPS. I on been trying to figure out if I have enough grounds to sue them, please help!
I have a 6 year old daughter who has been through enough hell already and I need it to end and find a way to get her back in my life.
When my daughter was about 3 years old, me and her father (my husband, we were also married at the time we had her, we are currently separated) began having serious problems in our marriage. He was in the army, suffering from PTSD and bipolor (he was deployed in Iraq when I gave birth to our daughter). He had attempted to kill himself, and his mother came to visit us from out of state. We were going through so much we decided to let our daughter go back to the state where his mother lived with her so she could get to know his mother and family and also my mother and fam who lived in the same state, and so we could have time to work some things out between us. We did this having made up a POWER OF ATTORNEY through the military, granting them the power to take care of her medical appointments but nothing else unless they had our permission. We were obviously not just giving up our child, we were well prepared in letting her stay with them.
Make a long story short, our problems got worse, and more and more time passed and our daughter was still away. We decided to seperate, he moved out of our house, i stayed there for a few months then we started talking again and decided to try again and moved into an apartment together. A few months into us being in the apartment we got into a bad argument, i ended up going to jail for 2 weeks, and during this time my husband got out of the army and left and went back to the state where our fam and daughter were. He left all my clothes not all m things packed up in the closet of our apartment and his friends were staying there. I had nowhere to go, had to get all my things, basically for a yr bounced house to house living with friends, sometimes people I didnt know, in and out od hotels when I had enough money, and a few times literally on the streets. In the meantime my daughter was staying with my husband bc he obviously left me dor homeless and went back home. During that time i did get up enough money one time to go and see her and him for about 3 weeks, then went back to the state i was homeless in bc my mother and other fam weren’t supportive enough to help me. My mother actually had the nerve to keep telling me i was mentally unstable and one day just droppedthere telling them these lies that i was mentally unstable. At that moment i knew there was more to it and she wanted my child (my mother also lost a child when i was a teenager to stillborn birth and hasnt been right since).
Was lucky enough to get a lump sum of money, $1500, that got me on my feet for a few months and money to have a place to stay. After the money was gone i was right back to square one, my mother, husband and others were insisting i had mental issues, was made to check into a mental center where i stayed tw weeks, had to take medicine and prescribed meds after i left there, i ended up going to stay at a homeless shelter where my real dad who i hadnt heard from since i was about 4 or 5 contacted me saying he heard all the problems i was going through and offered me to come stay with him. I packed up all i had and he sent me a bus ticket the next day and ive been staying here ever since.
Ive been here over a year now, but 3 months after i got here i was working at a good job, finally getting stable and got a call from my mother that my daughter was taken earlier that day by cps from her father bc he took her to the doc and they found bruises on her and signs of neglect. He was seeing someone else at the time and she lived with him and my daughter, the cps report explained of the way the house was kept, the signs of neglect, instances of abuse from him told by my daughter, drug paraphernalia around the house within her reach and accounts by my daughter of my husband hitting, arguing and abusing the female he was in a relationship with. I was mortified. Had to take off from my job several times to go out of state to attend court involving this, basically to have cps keep telling me from then till now bc i was absent in my daughters life we lacked a good bond (not taking into account i was HOMELESS not just out partying and not with my daughter bc i didnt give a damn). Since then, cps has treated me like im the bad person just bc i was going througgmh stuff and wasnt able to be in her life at the time. Im not the one that abused or neglected my daughter, her father was and at times i feel they treated him more fairly than me! A few months ago, her dad opted to sign over his rights to my daughter, and since then cps has called me asking me to do the same, talking all types of shit into my mothers ear and trying to get her to convince me to sign over my rights. Saying this can all be over so quickly if i just sign them over, my mother and stepfather can adopt my daughter who she has been staying with since she was taken out of foster care, initially who she went with when this incident first happened and she was taken from my husband. I think this is COMPLETELY wrong and unfair of cps to keep pushing, basically harassing a parent who has never put their child in danger or wronged them to give up their rights to their own child. I was not involved with what happened to my daughter and not even in the same state!!! How can u blame me bc i was homeless and missed out on a yr of her life and bc me and her dad weren’t together when this happened!! They are trying to use the i abandoned her in this case, how can you abandon someone if you’re homeless???? Please, PLEASE, PLEASE if you have any info on what would help me or what i could do let me know ASAP!! I just want this nightmare to be over and for my daughter to enjoy the rest of her childhood with love and care surrounding her. Thanks
Linda Jo Martin says
Sierra, I’m sorry you’ve been shut out of your daughter’s life and that her father was abusive. I am glad she’s out of foster care and with your mother. You have two things against you (from what I can tell, from what you wrote) and that is that you were absent from her life for a long time (they don’t care about your reasons) and that you now have a mental health record because your relatives talked you into checking into a mental health center for a couple weeks.
Those two things can be used by CPS to say you’re unable to be the custodial parent. I am wondering if you ever went to court, if you ever had a reunification plan… if there’s any plan in place to give you a chance to be the parent to your child. Do you have an attorney? A job?
CPS expects parents to be self-supporting and stable, to be able to provide a good home for the child. I’m glad you’re living with your father now. That’s a good start.
Have you tried to contact attorneys about suing? They would know better than I could if you have a viable case. You might want to interview several attorneys before choosing one.
Why did you not get alimony from your husband? He should have been helping you back when you were homeless.
I am hopeful that if your mother is allowed to adopt your daughter that you’ll be able to stay in her life that way. It is so much better than having a child adopted by strangers, and lost forever.
sherettalone says
Being homeless with a child is possibly the hardest thing to do and you need to be given credit for making it through that. A very similar thing happened to a close friend of mine and in the end they said that “bc she chose to be homeless in another state instead of the one her child was in, shows that she had abandoned her child” as though being homeless in the same state as get kid would’ve somehow been better. Homeless is so misconceived and people don’t understand how quickly it can happen to anyone. Best of luck with your precious daughter.
leilani says
Apache county cps took my first child in November of 2002 he had sick so I took him to the er a nurse called cps and made a aligation that I had called the doctor but never took him so they took him from me for denie him medical help see I was in foster care when I was younger the cps worker that took my son was the same worker that took me away from my mom so began my hell I have four kids total they cps over time took them all my youngest was taken out of the hospital as a newborn because they said I abandoned him they told me this when I came out of surgery from a emergency c section this was in ponontoc county where do I go for help how do I get justice is there hope I wonder if you want to hear the rest of my nightmare feel free to email me leilanijmcintosh[at]gmail.com
Linda Jo Martin says
Leilani, I’m so sorry they took your children. They do seem to profile former foster children as having risk factors. If your parental rights have already been terminated I don’t know of any way to get your children back unless there’s an adoption that doesn’t work out – in that case they sometimes consider giving a child back to the birth parent. . . but this is something you should be talking to an attorney about. I am not an attorney and don’t know all the state laws. You need to talk to an attorney in your area.
I suggest you set up a Facebook page for your children… in hopes they’ll someday find you. Put their birth dates on that page, and whatever family information they might be looking for in order to find you. Read my page of suggestions for people who have been TPR’ed –
Danielle says
I am fighting a cps case right now and am going to file a federal lawsiut against them in the next couple of weeks… thankfully even after having a lawyer which was completly worthless have found many things wrong with my case that they have not done properly. Bottom line know your case dates evrything chances are they have done things illigaly or have lied. thank you so much for posting this imformation as it can help so many people! my heart goes out to everyone in this situation becasuse i know it first hand!
Thank you!!!
stephanie says
I have paid 7,500 in attorney fees , my case has not moved any it started in april , im besides my self i have tryed everything , im jummping threw everything they want , and nothing my son is 5 years old , my 14 year old was part of case but is no longer , she had recorded conversations of case worker , on one occasion the case worker came over to my mothers where my daughter is and asked about her potential father and asked if i even knew him or if i got his name out of the news becuse he was hit on his bike , and then said that they where going to take his word if he said he was not the father , and then gave paper work saying he was unable to serve , this whole case has been wrong , in the beging no one could tell me why they took my kids , my son was at babysitter and had got out , i went to pick him up and got no answer , i called 911, then i was told he was across the street at school i went and got him , the next day cps came and took my kids , i have been fighting them , then it was going no where so i started jumping threw what they wanted , and nothng has moved forword , my mom and dad have my daughter and they closed case on her , they tryed to just give my x custody of my son and i wont let them , i know my x will take my baby and not let me in his life, i have tryed to get the whole case file but cant , i asked my attorney to court order it , its been months and nothing , she cant get it ,
Linda Jo Martin says
Stephanie, did you go to court, or did you sign a service plan? Where is your son living now? You should have a list of everything they want you to do. Be sure to do all those things and never miss an appointment or a visit.
John Zippute says
All you have to do is play their game and sue them in a Federal Court with attorneys from another state or at least from a different county. Is my advice and if CPS tell you can’t do anything is wrong. I win and many people were unmasked and punish by the federal laws.
Linda Jo Martin says
John, congratulations on your win in federal court. I wish more people were able to figure out how to file on civil rights issues.
Angela says
I had four children taken from me March of last year and they returned January of this year for an allegation my spandex against his father for hitting him in the eye there was no prosecution or evidence against my husband when my children were placed in foster care my son decided to tell the truth that it was his younger brother cps would not listen told us that here in texas you can’t recant they go on the first outcry that they hear. Me and my husband completed all services visitations and court dates throughout the case we had a corrupt caseworker she was eventually removed from the case. I have two children that made allegations of sexual abuse while in cps care. My children have returned home they gave me no medical records or school records and they are on all kinds of medicines I have one son who is 8 yrs old that claims he was sexually abused in cps care and his behavior is awful he has threatened to kill a police officer running away trying to commit suicide and he is now locked up in a state hospital and I was told he is traumatized and needs long term treatment when I asked cps for help they say that I have to sign my parental rights back to them for them to help him. I don’t think this is fair knowing that cps did this to my children and now they won’t help if there are anyone that knows of an attorney that could help us please contact me my number is 4696858575
Linda Jo Martin says
Angela, it sounds like you have a good case against CPS … start interviewing personal injury attorneys re: the sexual abuse in foster care.
cathy says
John , how did you win ? My Grandson was taken at birth from the hospital on false allegations , we fought and did everything they told my Son to do and we still lost ! My Son has custody of his other children but they wouldn’t give him his baby back saying he was mentally unstable and domestically violent.My Son kept fighting and they were trying to adopt his baby out , so they told him if he keeps fighting they are taking his other 2 kids . Friday they forced him to sign his baby away and now he will be ADOPTED!!!! I don’t think this is right , we asked for help but there was no one who would listen , my heart is broke because this is not fair. WHAT DO WE DO ? My other 2 Grandchildren are a mess , they want their baby home , how is this right and who can help ? We are not rich to afford big wig attorney ! We hD a court appointed Attorney who said he wasn’t giving up , but has !
concerned parent says
I feel that I was done wrongly by dcs,and dcs cort,I didnt get fair judgement or was I represented by an attorney,its been 4 years is it to late for me to do anything bout thus matter
when is it too late to handle errors done by social services acka dcs?
Linda Jo Martin says
Yes, after four years, it is probably too late for you to sue, but you should check with a local attorney to find out for certain. All states have different laws. However your children would still be able to sue for a short period of time after they turn 18.
Danielle says
I am in desperate need of help. I have four children who were removed from our home for environmental neglect. We had been remodeling and the house was a wreck. A family member who has been trying to get custody of one of my kids broke into my house while my husband and I were at work and videotaped our home and took it to the CPS office. I am now in possession of the tape.
The CPS worker came and made a list of things to do and gave us until the end of the next week to do it. He came back a few days later and said his supervisor said he had to remove the kids. They have added numerous things to the list and we have completed all of them immediately. They continue to keep either moving the court dates or adding more things. The CPS worker does not show up for inspections when he is supposed to. The times he did come he said that he took pics but his camera didnt work and the next time he didnt even bring one.
He told us last time he was here the house was ok for the kids to come home and then went to court two days later and said he didnt recommend them come home. He has lied to us and the judge. He didnt do inspections on the fathers homes or do background checks on them and placed them with one convicted meth manufacturer and a persistent felony offender. He wont schedule the visitations which he has to supervise.
It has been over 3 weeks since we have seen or heard from our children. At one visitation he actually got in my face and yelled incoherently in my face for absolutely no reason and my daughter saw this. One of our children is special needs and we have therapists that we have seen for two years that have given records and are prepared to testify for us if they ever let us get to that point. The judge has had to threaten the Cabinet with contempt if they didnt do their jobs but at the next court date said we had to understand they are doing twice the work with half the people.
The judge also tells us fathers should have rights too but the fathers are almost $9,000 & $ 3,000 behind in child support and have nothing to do with their kids. They also are unemployed. My husband and I both work full time and are not on welfare. I am a PreSchool teacher at a Christian PreSchool for goodness sakes! I have excellent character witnesses and a lawyer. These ” fathers” are already trying to draw checks on these kids and one lost his first two kids and sits home and draws a check on his wifes child.
Our children’s grades have dropped to failing. One has been suspended twice from school. That NEVER happened with us. Our four year old is having nightmares. Please please please help! This particular CPS agency has been under investigation for YEARS going back to at least 2003. The State Inspector General submitted a report on them finding that they had lied, forged documents, even assaulted parents and etc. Nothing was done. There have been numerous news stories about them and how crooked they are and nothing gets done. Please I’m desperate. Thank you so much for the work you are doing to help parents whose rights are non existent .
belen says
Colorado: My family had been having problems with social services for awhile now. My daughter started using drugs started running away about 2 yrs ago. Now 3 mths ago she ran away for a mth. She said she was living the streets in a town 20 miles away and that is a lie all her friends help her hide here in our town. She then turned herself in to social services and told them she was being abused by me and my husband. We never laid a hand on her it’s just cps always told them if they ever got abused they would remove them from my home. So she made up this lie to go live with this foster family that those kids that live in this foster home (my daughter friends) tried to break in to my house. I would not let my daughter which is 16 date a guy that’s 19 and gets high all day and is always drinking. So now that they put her in this foster home my 16 ur old is getting drunk and getting high with her boyfriend. I have pictures and proof of what my daughter is doing. I received a letter from cps today stating that my daughter will have no contact with her boyfriend and just 2 days ago she was with him. How can I sue cps for allowing my daughter to ruin her life?
V. says
I forgot to add that I am from Texas. Please help me on the Texas laws on gettin my son back
Mr. And Mrs. Harding says
We have a great lawyer his Name is Jeff Jackson.. He has helped us get everything back into court after CPS forced my wife to sign her rights away , by being threatened with her new unborn child which is 17 months old now. And now he has us trying to get a review of the case to take CPS back to court to overturn the case all together. His phone number is : 903-885-2900 Give him a call. Would like to see everyone start suing CPS for all the wrong they have done in our children’s lives!!! Tell Jeff’s office we sent you!!!
V. says
Linda. I am 17 years old and I have a 19 month old son. Cps came to the hospital the next day after my son was born due to false allegations which were that I was on drugs. I took a urine, mouth and hair follicle test which all came back negative. I was currently living with my boyfriend and his mother and my son had just turned 3 months and cps said me or my boyfriend could not be with the child alone. I worked and my son was in daycare and one day me and my boyfriend got into an arguement and I left then contacted cps the next day to get my child and i was denied access to my child. A week later my son was taken and placed with my Aunt who is a nurse and and a license to take in foster children. My son was then taken from my Aunt and placed into a foster home. I was 16 at the time and cps told my mother that if she signed her rights to cps then i could be placed in a foster home to complete my services.So she agreed and instead, I was placed in a shelter for 3 months and had to see the doctor 3 times do to bed bugs and the staff was treating the residents very badly. I then contacted my father who contacted the state and when they found out, cps took my father off the call list and i was no longer alowed to contact my father at all. After 3 months I was finally placed with my son and he has a VERY bad diaper rash and was on a breathing machine. I stayed in the foster home from August 7, 2013 to Oct 17, 2013. I ranaway and contacted cps the next morning to removed my child from the home. There were 6 foster children in the home, 2 autistic and my son was the youngest. I would get yelled at for giving my child the correct amount of formula and told to fill the bottle up and put one scoop only to save formula because she did not want to pay for more formula. WIC was paying for 12 cans of formula btw. While in the foster home, I tried contacting my caseworker and lawyer alot and made the caseworker aware of what was going on and nothing was done about it. If took my caseworker at least two weeks to return my phone call each time which made it very difficult to contact her. One of the autistic girls which was 4 years old, was getting food and water shoved down her throat because she refuse to eat. They left my son in that foster home for almost 5 more months and then placed him into another foster home. While I was self placed, I was not able to make dr appt for myself for my services because i was still in cps care and cps would not make my appt. My caseworker made me 2 appt then rescheduled them but I am being blamed for not doing services. I will 18 Oct.11 and the case end Oct.6. My lawyer finally contacted me and is telling me to sign over my rights to cps because they are going to terminate my rights Oct.6. I really want my son. My sons grandmother and Aunt have been trying to adopt my son and cps will not allow it. My sons grandmother is being denied a homestudy and his Aunt has passed a home study but cps want to adopt my son to the people he is with now. I reallyyy need help. Please help me and my family on advice to what we should do. We are running out of time. Can I take this to federal court if my rights are terminated? If so, what chances do I have of winning and getting my baby back. Im 17. This should not have to affect me for the rest of my life or my childs life. I honestly dont know what I would do if I lost my child. Cps has lied and changed our stories and made them sound so bad. Cps has called me neglectful but cps has neglected me as a foster child. Please Help!
Linda Jo Martin says
V. … I’m not an attorney and am not allowed to work on cases individually. Your case is near the end and there’s not much left you can do. If you sign over your son then possibly you can have more children but if you go to trial and TPR then you risk losing your parental rights which will follow you all your life and give them a reason to take your future children.
This is a self-help site… I’ve put information on the web to help people learn to help themselves. If I were to start helping people on a case by case basis I could be accused of unlawful practice of law. So to protect this information for all who need it, I can’t do that. I’m sorry you’re in such a difficult situation. Your relatives who want to adopt should get their own lawyers to explain to the judge that they’ve been denied kinship care rights.
kirsten says
My question was does it seem as if I have ground to sue? I do not want money. I want my family left alone, namely my girls. I want my ruling overturned, and I want limitations where my mother is concerned
Linda Jo Martin says
Kirsten… see if you can find some lawyers to give you free initial consultations. They will tell you if you have a case. Consider seeing some personal injury attorneys and some civil rights attorneys – just to talk about your chances of having a successful lawsuit.
kirsten says
I had my boy when I was 16 and placed him for adoption hoping I was making the right decision. Then 4 days before I turned 18 I had a beautiful baby girl. When I was 18 I tried to enlist being a single parent I had to give someone temporary guardianship. So I asked my mom for help. After it was approved I was denied the enlistment for financial reasons. So I went to bring my daughter home and my mother continued to take me to court. This lasted 5 years simply because she had the financial means on top of the means to stay home with her. In this time I had another daughter and gotten married. When my mother moved states I found a loophole for my oldest daughter to return to my custody. Once she did so.. I started getting anonymous cps complaints.. (mind you I have no drug history nor do I have criminal history) first my house was too messy, mind you at this point I’m divorced and a single mom, so because I had clothes on the couch waiting to be folded, dirty dishes, and hadn’t cleaned the cat box by the 845 am surprise visit 4 hours after getting off work, they gave me 24 hrs to fix it. So I did (within 2 hours). There were a few more ridiculous complaints like that, they were all unfounded. But then I started getting drug accusations. The first time they took my world for two days, then it was two weeks then a month, then 3, then after the 3 they gave them back “under supervision” at this point I’m a live in caregiver for a close friend of mine. She had cps history 10 years prior and had her child removed, but since then had an infant she was allowed by the state to keep without further interference from them, but when they give my kids back they aren’t allowed to be around her for some reason, forcing me to find a new job and a new home. Then because of this they consider me “transient” and remove them once again. All the while my mother is emailing back and forth with my caseworker exclaiming how my girls are so much better off with her. And they are being bounced between schools. I have never neglected my girls, they are so happy when at home with me. And now my youngest needs counseling. The final ruling was “medical neglect” for missing a few des appointments. This not only turned my children’s world upside down. But it ripped mine to shreds. The final ruling placed the certification I had for my cna as void it deemed the 2 years of college I had useless. And now I barely see my kids because she has them too busy to even accept a phone call. I signed the papers because after 4 years of fighting cps, the back and forth and switching schools all the time was unhealthy for them. But it hasn’t been a year and it seems like its done more damage than good. I just want what’s best, and being their mother I know that I’m what’s best. Especially being a mother who had an absentee mother and was raised by my father and stepmother. Who stepped up and did an amazing job.
LaTisha says
Hi I am new here and I need advice, I have been involved in CPS for almost 6 months now and in that time period my youngest son (he was 15 months old at the time) fell down the stairs at a licensed foster home and they didnt seek medical attention nor was i notified of the incident, the foster parent told me she didnt put the gate up and he fell, when i saw my son i noticed bruises and scratches on his head and face, i texted the foster parent and that is when she had told me what had happened, this is just one incident, i am so enraged and frustrated that i dont know where to turn or who to talk to because everyone i talk to say well you shouldnt have gotten them taken away, well all i did wrong was needed a break so i made sure my kids were in capable hands and went to a friends for a few days, next thing i know i get a call from my sons father saying the cops are coming to get my children, my kids got taken because Social services said i didnt have a proper safety plan in place. any advice would be very helpful. i dont have internet access so im not sure how im going to be able to read peoples responses.. well i wish everyone else luck and god bless you and your babies.. my heart goes out to all the mommies and babies out there going through these kinds of things…
LaTisha
sherettalone says
I’m so sorry that your children are in foster care…. It’s devastating. It’s easy for other people to tell you “what you should’ve done” but it’s not that simple and your focus is obviously on the present and future rather than past. It’s horrible that she didn’t sell medical treatment but no one is perfect just bc they’re foster parents doesn’t mean they can’t make a mistake. Praying your son is alright now and that your reunited with your little ones.
Lisa durham says
So I’m pretty sure I can sue CP’s, about 12 yrs ago my children was placed in foster care, I was manipulated and bullied. My then 7 yr old daughter was being raped daily for about a year and when it came out my girls were placed in my home immediately. There was a conviction and I didn’t sue because I didn’t want to put my daughter through anymore trauma nor did I want details of what had occurred. I just wanted to bury it and move on so it was never even brought up, however just recently that same child had a baby and the nurses called cps about concerns with bonding and attachment and the newborn was taken and placed in foster care even though I am willing and able to take the child. This current situation is bringing up some very real pain from the past and my daughter is constantly in fear that things are happening to her baby and she is revealing details of what really happened years ago and I’m learning that I was lied to years ago and there are things about the foster home that I wasn’t aware of. Since we are now reliving that horrible nightmare all over again, I need to do what I should have long ago. Please help.
Linda Jo Martin says
Lisa, go see some personal injury attorneys for information on whether you can sue. If the statute of limitations has tolled for you, it certainly hasn’t for your daughter if she’s still a minor.
Donna says
Last year 2013 between the month of October – December, my family and I life was turned up side down. It started with a judge in Kentucky ordering my daughter to move into grandparents house who lives in Ohio in which my daughter did, meanwhile social services of KY went to Ohio to pick up my daughter took my custody away from me. I and try to put my daughter in foster care, but my daughter ran away. Went to court won all case but family still has nightmares. And lost are home in Ky and had to move in with my parents in Ohio. Are life has not been the same.
joy says
My daughter was wrongfully taken by cps. they keep coming up with more lies and accusations. I have such a good case right now any details on how I can sue? I’m in michigan
anonymous says
Get evidence , you take her to the pediatricians office get those records, you have a great environment take pictures, get family and friends together to support you even others that have witnessed you a good mom, have cps caseworkers that have came to your house or reported you, make sure you prove you have a job with pay stubs, have landlord or deed to house ready so they see you are not homeless, make sure you have car records available, and tell them that you are clean you have no record, and tell them you have a bond with your child like no other, have a child physciatrist available that you trust to speak to your child alone away from cps to see what is going on because if placed in foster care that is horrible you definitely have a case, I would even get a fbi investigation on cps caseworkers that have done you wrong and have used illegal practices, when getting visitation if that is the first step take pictures all the time when you pick her up and drop her off or when you get to see her somehow take pictures or have someone that is not accused of anything that is in your family circle go visit her or at all odds have them ask for guardianship so they can give your custody back and let your prove yourself, I would choose someone you trust and have them take pictures of her when they pick her up from cps or the foster family.
Michelle says
Linda Martin is Correct about cps knowing a family that wants to adopt a child. The family that has my two sons and my daughter told me point blank before i cut off communication that they want a little girl and made other remarks to me. Now cps took my daughter and placed her with the family who wants to adopt a baby girl.
Boyd says
I am astounded by the evilness of these foster parents I don’t know how they live with themselves
Michelle says
I cried when i found this. Stark County Children Protection Services have gave me the run around TWICE now. I called for help with my (i did not know at the time) autistic son. Instead of helping me they lied!! Said i had a dog as a nanny like on Peter pan. No joke i still have the paperwork. I jumped through the hoops til i got a stable good job – as a temp as a file clerk in a court house. Cps worker wanted me to quit my job to do anger management and therapy and wanted me to take medication for a mental diagnose that i do not have. I chose my job and between her, the public defender and the foster parent i felt i stood no chance. I also only got to see my son four hours a month. I seen him for the last time on his fourth birthday. I signed my rights on June 28, 2012. The foster parents who adopted him also have another child biologically mine that they adopted legally before my son went into foster care. Then on June 27, 2014 cps sent the APD with a court order to remove my child — on HEARSAY. on lies. Now they are trying once again to put me on medication for something i do not have. Cps worker is same as with my son. I have a full time job. An apt. And had cps from another county previously involved because stark county harassed them to get involved (because of previous involvment with my son). I plan on suing them. I have PTSD because of Stark County Children Services. My 18 month older daughter had sever diaper rash last time i seen her and her hand made baby blanket had a hole CUT into it. They placed her with the family who adopted my sons who by the way are two hours away and one county one two towns over i know for a fact is two openings for a child her age. I feel cps is harassing me and my family. They have emotionally distressed my entire family and put me in a stressful environment. Im pregnant again and i feel they are after the unborn baby now as well. They are already making plans to remove the baby which proves to me they arent really trying and hoping to “reunifiy” my child with me. Stark County in Ohio is a JOKE. Tried to say there is Domestic Violence in my home. Im a single mother and my daughters’father would visit twice a week. They lied on two other cps counties — i have statements from both counties showimg they lied. I have statements from the hospital and from my dr office as well as proof that i was misdiagnosed at a young (at which time i was involved with children services). Im tired of this county thinkimg they can remove any chimd cuz the family isnt made of money on false allegations. But when a real case is in front of their face they just turn their backs and walk away. I also feel that certain ppl trying to get their children back call in to get on cps good side hoping it will help them get their children back. Cuz the ppl that called on me made all these allegations up and continue to harass and stalk me (they are my neighbors in an apt complex. I already checked into a restraining order.) I just want my daughter back and i want this these cps workers and ppl who are associated with them to stop stealimg children and to stop lying. Do their jobs — help a child that is in a real crisis and not “bully” families who arent doimg anything wrong. Help those who ASK for help — not twist everythimg and LIE to make your bonus check. I wish everyone dealimg with cps the best of luck. And i hooe the best possible outcome for all.
Kala Hill says
I know how you feel i have been harassed for 16 yeaars by dhs. My very first caseworker hated blacks, she let it be known she did not like us because were not only black but because we had housed a family member of hers( who had a baby by a black man). She also went on to say she could take my baby anytime she wanted to and theres nothing i could do about it. So i was scared and did everything they wanted me to. One day when my first born was two months old they said that they found a bruise on her arm ( which was her birth mark). A few days later they came and took both of us that was the last time I seen her( after promise that my daughter would be with me). After that every time I had a child they would take him/her from the Hospital because of past history if anyone tried to help they got in trouble. Now I have nine children on which none of them with me, I to have PTSD and am lost and have been for 16 years , lost for words wondering if this is legal or even justified if so then did I really do something wrong am I that bad of a person that my own children cant be with me when all I wanted to do is love and protect them and raise them right. Where did I go wrong? Even when my youngest was born she weighed 1 pound 5oz my world was crushed , my heart was crying out for her to fight this but she was so weak so I fought with her and dhs saw me fighting for her and yet again made promises that they would not take another child of minebut after 7 months of fighting to keep her alive and knowing she can breath on her own they took her. So I know what your going through
Dawn says
I have a sister whose children have been taken the 2nd time. My nephew & wife are trying to get the children. The going with all cps says & its so obvious they are catering to this foster family (biracial couple who want to adopt & my sisters kids are biracial). this is not suppose to be a child shopping agency. Sorry anyway cps just told them , they intend to let this family adopt because His mothers past (a person who does not live with him) he asked is there anything i can do to change this. answer was a cold no. He had an attorney but evidently not the rite one. It seems in this county you can do all the right things but my nephew is white & so is his wife.my question is this. How can they do that for his moms past 15 years ago she had drug involvement but has been clean since & does not live with them? He is fresh out of military & going to school. loving family. also how could we get out of county? or go over their head? and soon its been almost 6 months & NO visits w family at all!
Renee says
Hi I’m weighting you because I’m dealing with cps now an I feel that they are putting a case on me for no reason at all… I’m a single mom of 3 I do not receive help from fathers child support for one of them tho… Well cps got involved because my middle daughter went to the drs because she was complaining it burned when she went to the bathroom… I took her in dr look down there pulled me out of the room told me that her vagina was bigger then it should be… There was an incident that happened at her dad’s… Dad only sees her when it’s.convenient for him.. Well my daughter told me that her half brother tryed to have sex wit her… We talked to the kids there mother wouldn’t have any part of it an was really childish over it… My daughter’s dad came to three appointment for her because I was telling him that I was going to go.to the court an get it to were he could not see are two children well at the last appointment he went to.for her he talked to her therapist he said an told her about what happened I asked her about it she said he never said anything well I told her what I knew about it she new she had to report she did nothing was done about it I didn’t care didn’t want to deal wit cps. But the dr reported telling them that her himen that piece of skin that’s in ur vagina hole the intercorse hole was broken well she went to the center here were I live that deal with molested children an was interviewed an they had me take her to.the women’s center to have an exsam done her exsam came back fine that nothing happened an my daughter told them she was never touch down there she told the people who she seen that he humped her on the outside of her cloths… Well in that time dealing with cps my daughter who made the accusations about her brother trying to have sex wit her ended up burning my son her full blood brother wit my.hair straightener well I knw about there protocall an there immunity… Also how they do the risk assessment also in the risk assessment they look at what happened to u as a child an evaluate with what happened to u as a child an put that in the assessment I feel that they can not hold agents u what happened to u as a child that’s not fair… I took my son an daughter in to the hospital to have my son checked out an to.have a mental health evaluation done on my daughter… I have done some research on this an looked up about the protocall they have to fallow by an the immunity an how they do there assessment risk test on the computer I found out that in the assessment risk test they us agents u on there from ur childhood an if u were abused an neglected how can they hold what happens to me as a child agents me it makes me feel like I’m being punished for how I.was treated as a child/teenager… I need some information I’m looking for help… I don’t knw if u will be able to answer this for me if u could please contact me at renee87260[at]yahoo.com please…
robert says
I live in vt and dcf here does not care about families at all.My son was molested by my wife’s cousin’s husband at 6mo old and because he couldnt talk the guy got away with it even tho we had a dr report confirming it.and since then the cousin has been causing hell for for my family by making false reports left and right and ofcourse we cant get help there either.and now the cousin made a report that my wife had our children around a sex offender wich she NEVER did.and they put my wife on the protection registry.the dcf worker told completd lies.she never called my wife and said she did i know she didnt because its my cell phone the worker claimed she interviewed my wife when she didnt i would have had to bring her and nk one called to have her go to one.on top of other lies that make my wife look like a monster.also to this day nobody from the state or anything has even talked to me about any of it and the kids are biologicaly mine.
Miah says
Hello, my then four year old was raped in a daycare but the director’s son. He repeated told every investigator that he was raped but CPS closed the case unfounded and wrote very deformative things about my son in his file. The next daycare he went to had a man with the same name and race as the prior raptist and social services had to investigate that daycare as a result of my son having flashbacks and not wanting to go. I am now emotionally strong enough to sue. Where should I start?
Elena says
Family was falsely accused in child abuse and neglect. It was a dispute of a teenage daughter with her father regarding her obsession with the wrong music. As a result, she called police and made a false report on her parents. Police took all the children of the family, including very young, and DSS placed them in homes, unknown to the parents or community. Parents are poor people, who do not have significant resources to pay for the defense. The group of concerned citizens conducted own research, and concluded that it was no abuse and neglect. However, DSS itself wasn’t too careful about acting according to law, and there are numerous breaches. We are outraged to see that instead of searching for real abusers, DSS tries to incriminate an innocent family, which doesn’t have power and skill to resist. Innocent and very young children suffered the most, since they were separated from their parents by force and placed in conditions, much worse than those of family. Can we sue DSS? How?
Tracy says
Hi,
I have been the legal guardian for my neice for 5 years. My sister lost her 5 children, who were then adopted, but “KK” was 3 hours away visiting my mom, so we filed for guardianship with the court. Which worked. WE met with csd and the foster parents on a regular basis, but after the open adoption went through, they stopped.
Currently, my daughter had stayed the night with my friend ryan, who happens to be b/f to my sister. (supervised visits are ok), kk lit a match that started a fire, which killed one dog, (apparetnly they thought they put it out and it smoldered). Now the judicial dept. who i’d been playing phone tag with for 2 months, she didn’t even keep her appt. time with my mother ( backup guardian). THey take my child to court, saying arson, she could go to jail, she’s on probation….. the judicial woman went to my child’s school, without my knowledge ( never spoke with her before) and told her that she had court the next monday, and she could get taken to juvy!
Meanwhile, previous to this, cps came to my home 6 months prior, in regards to the fire, and closed the case in my favor. I lost my job, my home, and had to move in with the inlaws. During which time, my husband and them argued, he got criminal mischeif, and harrassment. Which he currently has a warrant for. But, he did no violent crimes. CPS came to my home, stating that the school reported kk had a black eye the week prior ( 10 witnesses to say other wise. she played at the neighbors house that day!) yet the secretary says cheekbone, no pics, and i decided with my husbands warrant, kk’s court, and the stress on the inlaws, kk should stay at my mom’s until i find a job and housing.
CPS comes over, ( i kept kk out of school to spend time with her before she moves, pack her clothes, play at the creek etc.)
My inlaws kick us out, we are homeless, and cps closed my case after 60 days! Said that i neglected to take kk to court ordered appt. for the fire….. i took her to her 1st court date, my mom had her the rest of the time, which they knew. They state that i couldn’t get kk back until i took a u/a ( which i offered when they showed up), they gave me an hour to travel to offsite clinic since their person wasn’t in that week ( can’t fly), then went to the office in person to volunteer u/a, and she said, i’m going in the field, i left you a voicemail. Very detailed message on my friends phone, saying the case was closed and i was to never have her again or they would step in and take her away.
How can they do this if they don’t have her in state custody?
my mother is terminally ill with cancer, i need to hurry! I am the only family member to take care of her. I’m desperate, i don’t do drugs ( which they told to all my family!! ), and i have always taken great care of her.
How can i fail an “assessment” if i didn’t know they were asking it of me?
And why woudln’t they let me take a u/a for them to prove them wrong?!?
Please help. My mother should not have to deal with this stress in the last 6 mos. of her life!! I’m desperate!
<3 Tracy
savannah says
I need help! I been involved with cps for a year and a half. I’ll start off saying that the case that cps opened on us had nothing to do with my son. Back a year ago my husband and I had a roommate. I had no idea she was involved with dss until she told me that she didn’t have full custody of her kids. Her husband had custody but he would abuse them. We decided to let the kids live with us to get out of that environment. She had a 13 year old and 10 year old girls. Well my husband treated them like he was an older brother. He played around with them. Then drama started to unfold. My roommate and were always arguing and fighting. Then one day she had a phone call from her older daughter in Oklahoma. Her daughter said that there were some allegations brought up on someone in the house but we didn’t know who it was. I was at work when my husband called me and told me the allegations were against him and that our son was claimed neglected. We never neglected him. We kept food in the house, kept the house clean, made sure our son had everything he needed. This case has been dragging on and court is involved now. And every time we had a appearance it gets continued. They’re making take mental health assessments and my husband has to take a psychosexual assessment. This stuff that they are asking us to do is costing a lot of money. The judge ordered my husband out of the house because he isn’t allowed to be near anyone under the age of 18. I think this ridiculous. They haven’t taken my son away but they are threatening to do so if we do not get this stuff completed. I need help and advice to see if I can counter sue cps for wrongful allegations. To me it just a witch hunt so we can just another number to them
Linda Jo Martin says
Savannah, usually the department of social services pays for the services like psychological evaluations and counseling. Please go see a few lawyers about the idea of counter-suing them. I’m not a lawyer and can’t advise you on that. Many lawyers will offer a free initial consultation so they can see if they want to take your case.
Sarah B. says
I have a question regarding an old case that I was involved in. In 2003, I attempted suicide and my eight month old daughter was placed into emergency foster care. At the time, I was suffering from severe post-partum depression, I was 18 and had no stable adult figures in my life, which was, admittedly, unstable. I was told that I would get her back after coming home from the hospital, which didn’t happen. My paperwork from DFS stated that I had a ‘drug overdose’ instead of a ‘suicide attempt’, which I was told would have taken my entire case in an entirely different direction and would have made my reunification requirements a lot easier to complete. Before my daughter was taken, I had NEVER had a drop of alocohol or tried a single drug and therefore shouldn’t have had to jump through ‘drug abuse’ hoops from DFS. Anyway, I asked a family member to keep my daughter temporarily in order to keep her out of foster care. My family member took her and immediately hired an attorney and got guardianship of my daughter and started the adoption process. All the while, my case worker was having a personal relationship with my cousin and her husband that went as far as my cousin and her husband buying a home from my case workers parents in a private sale (at that time, I should have been given a new case worker since there was now a conflict of interest). In 2005, my cousin and her husband adopted my daughter without my knowledge. I wasn’t served the adoption papers until AFTER the adoption took place and all of the allegations in the paperwork were lies (which I had proof of). Now, almost nine years later, my daughter is 12 years old and has been, secretly, reaching out to me via different social networks and asking to see me and have a relationship with me (over the years my cousin and I have had an off and on relationship and she has allowed me sporatic visists with my daughter off and on; recently, I was asked my a nationally synicated publication to write an essay telling my side of the foter care system, which I did; ever since having this areticle published, my cousin has been distant and just last week, removed and blocked me from Facebook and removed and blocked me from all of my daughters social networking accounts [the article was published in Jan/Feb of 2014; in December 2013, my cousin reached out to me and told me that my daughter wanted to see me and talk to me and have a relationship with me]; my daughter’s birthday was last week and after I posted my traditional ‘happy birthday message’ on my Facebook page, that was when my cousin removed and blocked me from all of her and my daughters accounts).
I have two questions here: Is there anything that can be done towards DFS regarding the way they handled my case years ago? And two, is there anything I can do to reverse the adoption of my daughter and regain visitation rights of her?
**DISCLAIMER**: I, in no way, want to attempt to regain custody of my daughter- they have raised her and are her parents; I just want to be able to see her and have a relationship with her, as she requested and this is also what I want as well.
I live in the state of Missour.
Linda Jo Martin says
Sarah, you’ve asked two questions that would be better answered by an attorney local to you. Please seek one out – a lot of attorneys will give a free initial consultation to see if they want to take your case. I’m not an attorney and my knowledge is fairly general – you see, all states have their own laws and I can’t stay on top of knowing what they are. So, in general, here are my beliefs… first, that so much time has gone by, the statute of limitations tolled a long time ago, so you probably can’t sue but still, ask a local attorney please. There may be circumstances or laws there that I’m not aware of. Second, if the adopters aren’t willing for you to interact with your daughter maybe it is because your daughter is acting out at home and is angry at them for not letting her see you. Possibly you could go to family court for visitation rights but I’ve never heard of this situation before… so I don’t know if you’d get any positive results. Other options are to wait for your daughter to rebel more (and this could eventually result in her wanting to spend a lot more time with you) or wait until she grows up entirely… then the decision is up to her. In any case, don’t be afraid to talk these things over with an attorney.
Jamie says
I have a friend in dire need of help. She’s going to court Friday, August 1st in Texas. Anyways, she’s slightly “special” or simple. Anyways, she’s high functioning. She’s got a house, she pays her bills, she can provide for her kids. CPS was contacted by her mother in law who has been befriending her the entire time. So now at the court date we have just figured out her mother-in-law wants her sister to take the kids(the Grand aunt) of these kids. She’s only willing to take 2 of them though.
She was told if she got an attorney that they would ave evidence against her that would come out. Her ex(the fsther of the 2 kids) did MARIJUANNA and is in prison. She doesn’t do drugs. How the fuck can they use that against her. I told her they are trying to bully her into signing over her rights.
Linda Jo Martin says
Jamie: It does sound like they’re trying to frighten her away from getting an attorney! If I were her, I’d get an attorney right away. That’s coercion… definitely illegal.
Matt says
My grandchild was taken by cps on allegations of drug use by a hostile nosey neighbor. After myself and three other family members took the cps mandated Urinalysis tests and all four of us coming up negative, cps is still holding my grandson and are requiring several more weeks of me and my family jumping through their hoops.
Can cps continue to keep my grandchild even after all four family members, child’s mother included, have passed the cps mandated urinalysis tests?
Linda Jo Martin says
Matt, you should have an attorney to ask this question of. I don’t know all the details of your case. For example, I don’t know who has your grandchildren, whether you went to court, whether there’s anything else they found out after they initially investigated because of drugs, where the child’s parents are, why the boy was with you, the age of the child, whether this was a legal guardianship, etc..
Also, I’m not an attorney… I hope you’ll find a lawyer soon to help you through this. Whenever CPS is involved it is a very serious legal matter and you’re not likely to find the answer on the internet. Some things, only a judge can decide. We’re here for basic information, and feedback if you need support from others who have gone through the system.
In general once CPS takes custody from a grandparent it is very hard to get back because in their eyes grandparents have no rights; only parents do. Maybe you could have de-facto parent status in court. Ask an attorney about that.
Anjelique says
I was adopted when i was 3 1/2 yrs old. my adoptive parents were not told i had any problems. i did have major problems. i didnt know how to eat or use the potty and i was oblivious to any of my surroundings cuz i would talk to my “invisible” brother and play with him, i wouldnt let anyone near me and always had to have a spot for my brother next to me or i’d freak out. my adoptive parents tried to take me back but the adoption was final and they were given a hearing in court where they begged for them to help me and even have someone come into the home and see for themselves and they were told my caseworker vanished and the adoption was final. nothing they could do. my life then was over. i was a slave, sexually abused told i deserved it cuz i would come on to men at the age of 3 1/2! i was beat if i didnt say the name they gave me told i was crazy i didnt have a brother and i just found him last week! my name is not angelica marie it is angel-eek not sure the spelling my adoptive parents now admit they gave me that name and it was finalized in 1982 so how is angelica marie on my original birth certificate – impossible. they were told i didnt have anything but a first name when the agency found me and my brother??? records will be unsealed march 20, 2015 what do i do?
Joseph says
Aisha i would say file a civil action under federal law since the child has traveled across state lines. but even not you can still file a tort action under Sect. 1983. I would petition the local courts for return of your child where there is no cause of action. my guess is someone is interested in your child because of his medical condition.
Joseph says
I want to sue CPS, because 1 they investigated and case unfounded but won’t give kids back; 2 the judge in the ny art. 6 case refuses to even give visitation; 3 the time has been since March 16. can i still sue cps and the court and other parties such as law guardian etc?
Mistreated and info withheld says
I really don’t know where to begin but I know we need help. Three years ago my daughter was busted for growing pot in a house that was previously mine but had been given back to the back, the house was given back in 2009 by 2011 the house was still empty and my daughter was homeless. I found out through a domestic event that she had move into the house that was no longer inhabitable due to sitting for so long. She had three toddlers and a bad drug habit. I had been trying for a year to get Summit County CPS to get the kids from her. Finally I filed for custody of the oldest child. My funds were limited and I just wanted to get the case in court. I file for emergency custody of the one and showed pics of the rest of the mess. No food was in the house. My Daughter checked herself into the hospital for mental health reasons and she gave temp custody to Summit County Children Services and they placed the kids with her drinking and drug buddies. The kinship parents had revoked drivers license, previous domestics and dui convictions, plus they had three kids previously removed from their home for reason not clear. It was then that I found out that a kinship parents does not have to meet the same requirements as a foster parent plus as a kinship person you do not get the financial support as you would as a foster parents. My daughter was mad at me for filing for one of her kids to begin with. My granddaughter had missed 60 plus day of school out of 93 at that time. The house had no running water and no kitchen. I had to answer to the sheriff regarding the allegiations that the pot farm was mine. They knew she was lying. I went through a home study and was refused because I had tried an anti depressant for the situations I was going through. I was told I was not found to be suitable due my medical history. I fought this and won. Then my daughter asserted that I was a drug addict because I had a prescription for vicodin as needed and attended pain management. This was an as needed medication. I did not drive on it and used as NEEDED. I never failed a drug test, pill count. I took myself off the anti depressant due to side effects as they made my anxiety worse. Like anyone in this situation would not have anxiety but as listed on the bottle that is supposed to make you less depressed it says increased anxiety as a side effect. The anxiety was worse then the depression. I was the controller of a mutli million dollar corporation as well. All this fighting for my grandkids took two years and lots of court dates. Meanwhile the kinship care givers are trying everything they can to keep me and my child (even though she neglected the kids she still had visitation rights). I went to court and got supervised visitation one day a month with my grandkids. THe same grandkids that I had taken care of for years with the exception of the youngest who was always with her friend Amy. My youngest grandkid came to bond with Amy as his mother but for some reason not know to me was not approved to even visit him. My daughter never bonded to him. SHe used drugs during pregnancy, smoked cigs and pot and took remeron for constant nausea. I was too dumb to realize that when was born premature it was the result of the drug use I later found out about. I told Summit County that I did not think that the youngest one was righ for me but I could take the first two. I was bonded with them and I knew that the youngest just did not seem right. hard to feed, hard to calm dowm around everyone with the exception of Amy. Amy was not his mother but in his mind she was. In March of 2013 the kinship takes the child to the doctor for sexual acting out behavior. At this point I have grandparent visitation. Three months later my daughter shows up at my house wanting to see her kids and the youngest says he does not want his pee pee pulled on. He then goes in and urinates on the floor of his bedroom. I know that if I report it, it will seem like I throwing shit against the wall. He states that the kinship care parents daughter abuses him at bath time. I ask the guardian ad litem what to do and he is a mandated reporter. He reports the abuse as he should and the dumbass case work tells the kinship care workers that I called in an abuse complaint. I did not I was not sure whether or not to believe my daughter because she leaves the house after this and says she can not believe that she gave her kids to child molesters and can I please help. At this point in the case she is going to go to rehab and me and husband file for custody. My grandkids in addition to daycare and school were away from he kinship home everyday except Sat night till we dropped them off on Sunday. Meantime fathers are being found and most of them have moved on and their new girlfriends or fiancé’ do not want to take on a product of an affair the significant other had. The kinship care givers try everything to keep children except file custody. They told me they were in deep tax dept and three little ones esp with earned income credit were great deductions. As I am trying to be nice to my daughter my company credit care is stolen and someone charged 3000 on it. I leave my job and still have not found employment. The charges were made over a few months and at places I don’t go and with my salary at the time I don’t need money to make it. I forgot to mention I have a four year old child as well and am remarried. My husband was in complete support of taking the first two but we agreed that the third one was not a good choice but Summit County said either all or nothing. After my grandson the young we are unsure of reveals this Summit County makes us return him to the kinship care givers. We know we cant handle him but they are pressuring us hard saying that he is not being abused he is just confused. The worker ask him he said no and it was dropped but my other grandson tells horror stories which I record because he started to talk about while I have my phone in hand. I send everyone in the case a video copy. CPS says that his mother led the questions. How does a four year old talk about being pulled on and played with and then he had to lay down to be kicked in the balls. I am using his language. After this the youngest who said it not available for visits. He is always off somewhere mostly his Aunts house which no one can verify because she never answers the phone. Come to find out later he is really at his fathers house that Summit County did not approve but the kinship people are promising birth dad that they don’t want support of anything they just love my grandson. He is an ass, he is threathened with contempted in court. His lawyers is a family friend. The trial drags on for months and Summit County never tells me that since I Filed a motion for custody I must now prove why I would be a better parent then the kinship home. The family friend comments to me that it would be a real shame to lose to someone without a law degree. I realize that this is personal for him. I had shot down many of his motions that had no merit. SO I win, custody of all three. Now I four kids. But an appeal is filed on the youngest and he does not come right away. I realize that I have my hands full and the more the other grandson talks two sexually abused boys in a house are not a good thing to do. I consulted a professional. This is esp true if one witnessed the event. I tell Summit County I can not take the youngest after a week. I am told to hold on if I his father wins the appeal it wont matter. THe father loses and I tell social worker again, the child has issue I don’t know what they are but I don’t have the skills to deal with his violence and language. But I don’t want him returning to previous environment. So here the kicker the SUmmmit county worker says either I take him or they will charge we me abandomment of a child and take all the kids included me 4 year old. In on week he peed all over my house, destroyed all he could and talked about his pee pee all the time. He then tries to play sex games with me. I tell worker I can not handle this behaviors and please come get him. I just ask that don’t place him in the same place. She ignores me files a motion to force to judge to rule on the appeal, we now have full legal responsibility of the kids. So we get to work and say that his must be what God wants. Our lives are awful. He went to a visit over the weekends to be at his dads and he takes him to the very people that he says hurt him. He comes bruised and believes he is going back to live at kinship home. I had to get a police officer to tell the previous people to quit texting me phone. My daughter does not complete treatment. Is going to prison most likely and CSB refuses to take to me. I found out that his behaviors had being documented for years at doctors including the sexual ones. TO make matters worse he sees older women as ones he can touch in private places. I am scared to death for me girls. I have alarms on the doors. The night his father brings him back after his four day visit he comes into my bed room and puts his hands down the front on my night shirt. I called the worker tell her I know she withheld his behavior reports from the doctor and she just keeps stating the case is closed. Meantime we have had him to four specialist that have listed him as ODD, ADHD, Attachment disorder and his severity is in the clinical to moderate range on all. He has tried to touch four women I know of including pulling up his nuero doctors skirt. Did I mention I cashed in my retirement to support these kids? Now the money is gone and I cant provide the special treatment he needs and the social worker tells me to pack his bags and just drop him off at the agency but I am advised that I will be probably be charged with abandonment of a child. So now I have no choices and no help. I would advise that any grandparent not get involved in the childrens bad decisions. Yes it hurts but I have done and given all and I end up being molested (yes I am calling it what it is). Is this kid going to get better, maybe, but as two nuero doctors told me two parents home full time could not deal with this behaviors. Did I mention that he hurts my dogs and wiped poop on his wall. He keeps uping his behaviors. What is next? I still await the social workers response to his latest antics. My other kids ask me if they are going to have live with this forever. He will stand and poop his pants when he does not get what he wants. So does anyone have clue how I protect the other kids who love it here and don’t want to move again but are now completely non accepting of his behavior. Would another placement make them less resentful of him? NO, it would just make them dislike him and his behaviors more. I did not even tough on the biting he does to his older brother who takes it. He knows that hitting him or biting him back gets his things broken. Summit County knew of these behaviors but failed to disclose them to us. We found out through following up with gathering all his medical records. From what I read we had a right to know of his sexual behaviors, his previous violence toward animals. He also bangs his head for hours at night. He only sleeps about 4-5 hours a night and the doctors tell me he is too young for any meds that would just relax him. He receives 8 hours in home counseling at home plus attends a special daycare and things are just getting worse. My emails and phone calls have fallen deaf ears and My husband even tried talking to drug and drinking father about it. He says he is filing for custody. It is a shame that Summit County wants cases closed and kids with disabilities to just go away. He needs a therapeutic placement. I also lost my son who was in the Army July 4th of 2013. I am tired and if anyone has any advice that will yield me results, please tell me. I appreciate words of encouragement but those don’t help when you are cleaning poop off a wall. My other kids need more attention too. I am tired. I tried contacting Stark County Disability services for children and did the intake interview that was two months ago and no paperwork. I went there still no paperwork to complete. Summit County did this child no service and I can truly say Social workers have immunity for neglect to their job is crap.
Joe says
Candi i know im probably way behind the ball here but there have been numerous cases of cps kidnappi g cases where the case worker will say your unfit when there is no evidence to substantiate the claim. But what they do is take the handicapped child into their custody to gain acces to the SSI checks, and what i have researched arizona is the worst about doing this. I recwntly went through this on my own with my daughter and nebraska cps, and when i went into court i had a video of the home walkthrough when the cps agent came to my house and a copy of the nebraska laws and rights during an investigation and proved that it was a blatent attempt at cps kidnapping to gain access to SSI funds. Proved that the cps agent made fraudulant allegations agaimst me entered my home without a warrent or an officer with her so i broke out the video camera and video taped everything because nebraska is very leaniant on recording peiple all tou have to do is be involved in the conversation and you can record anyghing without the other parties consent. By doing that i won. Dig your feet in and stand your ground they dont habe anymore righs than you do so fight tooth and nail
rodrigo says
I am the grand parent of two kids girl age 2 years 10 months and boy will be 1 year old on July 17th taken from my home by cps on June 5th and according to cps I do not have any rights over the kids because I am a grand parent but my concern is the kid health physically and psychologically and again every body I talk said they are immune no body can touched them an any way I started to believed that because no body wants to help I have a record of everything happening from very beginning very detailed I will appreciate your advise to bring them to justice thank you very much
Linda Jo Martin says
Rodrigo, it is true that grandparents have few rights. You could try to get an attorney to get them back, but it could be a huge money drain with no positive results. I am not an attorney and cannot give advice at all. I’m wondering where the parents are and whether they will be given a chance to work toward reunification. As the children are so young they are highly adoptable, and the caseworkers will most likely cling to them because of that. Please don’t hesitate to do some attorney shopping and see if you can find one who thinks you have a chance at getting the kids back.
Kelly says
In ohio … cps took my granddaughters from my daughter. The cps worker entered home without permission and refused to leave until my daughter found someone “suitable” to take the girls. She had a police officee come to the house but he did not enter the home. The girls were removed because the caseworker had a “suspicion” that my daughter was on drugs. My daughter submitted to a drug test willing. We consulted with an attorney. He said if they do not have a case plan within 10 days then to revoke the safety plan. We have called and called the agency and have not received a case plan. It has not been to court yet. The girls have been in this safety plan for 11 days now. We go in the morning and my daughter is revoking the safety plan. My concern is what the agency will do next. How can they take children based on assumption? Its so frustrating. And my daughter has not failed her drug tests but they keep saying … well we know you are dirty (meaning drug use). Its so wrong.
Linda Jo Martin says
You have already done the best thing, to consult an attorney. Nobody can give you better advice than an attorney who is aware of the details of your situation. It is impossible to say what the caseworkers will do next because they don’t have hard and fast rules for handling cases and different counties will have different policies. That’s why having a local attorney’s advice is so important; he will hopefully know what’s commonly done in your area.
They could not possibly “know” that your daughter is using drugs, because they have no *evidence* and without that they would probably lose a contested hearing. I hope it won’t come to that and that CPS will agree to just drop the case for lack of evidence. If they had *evidence* they would probably take the children to foster care and take your daughter to court.
How can they take children on assumption? Just because they know they can get away with it. And don’t blame your caseworker for everything, because behind every caseworker there’s a supervisor telling her what to do.
melissa says
My daughter is five now, but she was three when she told me that my then boyfriend was sexually abusing her. I called the police and child protective services, who dropped the investigation. After kicking everyone out of the room and interrogating my daughter alone, the Cps worker said my daughter was “lying” and then told the investigator that there were discrepencies in my 3 year olds story.2 weeks later my daughter told me that the cps worker told her not to say that she was touched because she was lying.That sick man is now in jail for doing the same thing to several other children. And all of the other children have had their chance to go on stand at the court. What can i do? I feel that cps was wrong in their judgement and my daughter deserves her justice.
Linda Jo Martin says
Hi Melissa, this sounds like a good reason for a lawsuit against CPS… for negligence.
Nicole says
I cannot find one attorney in wi to nibble on my bait. I have been searching for months civil rights family law, you name it. Cps took my kids because I was homeless and the judge stated that more than once. Please Help if I can get my lawsuit going so many people wont have to live in fear anymore. Please I need some kind of lead
Jason says
Ladies and gentleman. Never give up hope. There is change comming starting in north Carolina
Linda Jo Martin says
I’m happy to hear that, Jason.
Annastasia says
linda I live in Miami my children were recently removed from both me and the fathers care by dcf. itbhas been proven in court by certified paperwork that the investigator lied in her testimony. the judge in my case still chose to allow her testimony even with knowing the investigator was lying my children were deemed adjudicated anyway.Also the judge stated herself that my children were coached by the current caregiver to make certain statements against the father and I yet still ruled against me and the father My attorney is not helping my situation he has misrepresented me and has cussed at me a numerous of times as well. Please tell me how I should go about bringing my children home and filing a lawsuit against both DCF AND THE JUDGE IN MY CASE
Linda Jo Martin says
That’s what this website is about, Annastasia… it is here to help give you ideas for working on your own CPS case. I don’t know you or your case well enough to tell you exactly what you should do, and I expect that as a mom you will have the gut instincts to know what might work well for your family and case, and what won’t. I’m not an attorney, and I can’t have clients or work on cases individually.
I hope that everyone will take the initiative to work on their own cases … and a good way to get started it to read everything on this site – not just my thoughts but also things that other people wrote in comments here and on the message board. There are also other good sites with CPS information on them that might help you decide what to do… such as http://massoutrage.com
Lexi says
I am not using my real name so that I can protect my family. My husband and I made a report against my mother because our youngest son, my biological son hubby’s step son, came home from my mother’s stating that she hit him with a fly swatter. His cheek was swollen and we gave him an ibuprofen and an ice pack and took pictures of it. They have not even really investigated her, just flipped it back on us because she has found it necessary to call on us before every guardianship hearing. We are sick of the harassment against our family. all 4 of us in our home (we have another child here as well but no concerns for him, what the heck!) have PTSD and our youngest, the child they are concerned about, has autism and we,my husband and I, both have asperger’s syndrome. My husband is also disabled. He can barely get out of his chair and is on morphine. Yet they are trying to say he has threatened harm against our youngest and I have failed to protect. They want us to go through families first, but that would be admitting we did something wrong when we did nothing but try protecting our child from someone who abused me as a child. the only reason he goes over to my mother’s is the judge who maintains jurisdiction has ordered he have visitation with her. Have requested new worker, it has been denied. Tried doing an administrative hearing with ALJ, they won’t give us the form. They say they are waiting on the judge to give them their next move. In the process of looking for an attorney, but it is so hard when you don’t have any money. we found one who was moved by our case and wants to take it, but we don’t have the money to pay him. All this because I decided to break my mother’s control and be my own person. So now they are taking hearsay from her, my husband’s ex wife and people who don’t even know my husband and opening a case on false allegations. all because we were trying to protect our children. I guess CPS likes picking on the disabled.
Linda Jo Martin says
CPS will pick on whoever they can, disabled or not. It was a mistake to call them about your mom because CPS doesn’t deal with grandparents; they work on parents… and you and your husband have a lot of issues they can use against you in a court report. The place to take your issue with your mom was family court, not CPS. So now that you’ve got this agency aware of you and your situation, you’ll have to deal with the way they treat all parents, with forced “services” and hopefully you’ll get to keep your kids… I really hope so. Even though you can’t afford an attorney, you really need one. If you go to court they will appoint an attorney but most court appointed attorneys aren’t willing to provide an aggressive defense. I wish you luck. I am not able to give you individual help because I’m not an attorney and by law I’m not supposed to be doing that. All I offer is what’s written on this site, and the message board on which you can discuss things with other parents (also, they are not attorneys).
Jasmin.a. says
Hi I wanted to get a advice my case close my brothers gave me custody back of my son like year later that cps took him away with out no evidence I did drug test came back negative they falsely accused me of doing drugs my case been close for 6 years but I feel what they did to me wasn’t fair I had just turn 18 when took him away from me they made me say I was doing drugs because they promised me they where going give him back I didn’t know what to do at that point because I young and I just wanted my son back any mother will anything to get there kid back my mistake was letting them manipulate me to say I was doing drugs when really didn’t I been taking depression pills and been going counseling because I’m afraid of letting my kids go with anyone I’m traumatized and in fear for what they have some to me so you think I can sue them
Linda Jo Martin says
Jasmin, I don’t know if you could sue them or if it would even be a good idea in your case. If you have your child now do you really want to do something that would call their attention to you again? I don’t know if too much time has gone by… you would have to ask a local lawyer these things. Good luck with your situation.
Mia says
Office of Children’s Services has told me that if I ever go back to my husband that they will take my son away. My husband has been taking wellness and healthy relationships classes. I’ve seen my husband keep promises and actually change after a mistake has been done. I know for a fact that my husband is capable of change but OCS will not give a chance to believe he has changed. I miss my husband. My husband misses my son and me. I was also told that OCS should not be allowed to say they will take my son away from us if we re-unite as a family because one of their goals is to keep families together not to tear them apart. What can I do to reunite my family without getting my son taken away?
Linda Jo Martin says
Mia, no matter how much you and your husband love each other, your lives are now unalterably changed. You cannot go back to him at this point without the authorities learning about it and charging in to take your children. I know it hurts, but you must deal with that.
Breaking up is hard to do in any circumstance. From what you said it seems that you’ve had some abuse situations with your husband before.
Many of us have been through this. I know from breaking up with abusive men that I still wanted very much to be with them. There’s a bond there, an emotional tie that’s very hard to break. It takes time. For me, it takes at least a year to get over a relationship even when a man was abusive and impossible to live with.
CPS caseworkers will say that their goal is to reunite families, but don’t believe it. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Most of their funding supports separations of families. The county gets money for putting children in foster care. They don’t get funding from keeping families together. There are subsidies for foster parents and adoptive parents, not for reunited families.
I have known of husbands and wives getting back together eventually but not until after years of dealing with CPS. Years… not just months.
Right now you are under observation to see how you handle this. If they don’t directly catch you, then some snitch who knows you, maybe a friend, neighbor or family member, will call them and tell them what’s going on in your life if you try to reunite with your husband. Even if your case closes and you think your life is your own again, a snitch call like that could open it back up and they would take your children, for certain, saying you’re not capable of protecting them.
You need to find a new best friend. I recommend Jesus… the healer of broken hearts.
You also should be shopping around for an attorney who wants to protect you from CPS, if you don’t have one yet. Don’t wait for another crisis. If possible, do it now.
Lizzie says
I don’t know if you can help… a friend of mine had her kids taken into custody for neglect (she WAS neglecting them). It took the county over a year just to have the adjudication hearing!!! They only schedule her one court hearing per year. The adjudication hearing was April 2014 and the next is scheduled for January 2015. The bigger problem is that I am her only viable place for the kids to go. I am a licensed foster parent with room in my home and would like to foster to adopt the children. My friend has requested that the children be placed with me, but the case worker insists that she has NO RIGHT to say who should have the kids. (CSB does NOT have permanent custody yet) In the meantime, the kids are in foster care and may be moved from home to home. There’s obviously no motivation for court to speed things along, and the caseworker will not work with us. Do we have ANY rights? Is bio-mom (no dad involved) allowed to at least request the children be moved to my home?? Any help would be appreciated!!!
Linda Jo Martin says
Lizzie, no, the mother is not allowed to request a placement. In most cases the social workers don’t care what the mother has to say, about anything. If she wants something, they’re very likely to do something else.
Mayra says
Hi my name is mayra, I’m deaf a mother also my son is Special need chromosome13 can’t talk,can’t walk,everything.he is 7 yrs old. my worker In home support service was new person, my worker was speak to interpreter ask question me few a words. Son can walk? I say no he can’t walk, can’t talk, he is loss deaf. Worker was say oh ok, she seem can’t patient with me because I’m deaf n my son disability. Worker was too much disturb to interpreter told her please wait be patient I explain to her deaf am I. Worker say ok like face express attitude to me for no reason, worker was rush leave to out but she change mind back ask me do have laundry ? I say no not have my home but only myself driver go to wash laundry. Worker was said oh ok like face ugly attitude just leave not enough get information make me not satisfty for need to more an hours son what do need food, clothes, store, etc. few later one week. I think it was look bad and other Child Family service disturbed to my home n men is deaf ask me where is your child kid? I say why what going on? Men was told me someone report hotline wont say name. Men said that I’m lousy mother everything in my home! I was ignore my son suffer for no change diaples for all day and men said I was sleep ignore son let alone him walk crawl wake up midnight for everyday 12am to 3 am and men said I have no food like empty not enough son suffer and men was told me that your son can walk and can talk everything the I’m a right? I was like what oh my goodness please my lord help me the worker very very bad bad lied to you child family for no reason and men told me that almost try plan take my son but I keep fight no you can’t take my son is very innocent because my son love me very much I’m very good mother take are of son 7/24 days. I saw men was very scared at my son for no reason cause men was look at him if can talk or can walk but men was saw found out true prove son cant talk, can’t walk, men ask me can I check in your registration? I say sure go ahead then men check registration wow have a lot food everything look fine told me that. I say yes my truth. Me told me the but I get confuse why worker was report hotline try to take son add story fake makeup wrote. Men got confuse because my home is everything ok good but men feel disgusting why worker was report hotline because worker don’t want to pay more an hours max my son need everything. sound I believe worker discrimination me deaf and son special need. I was already claim report civil right will start it investigation about worker and child family make me scared like abused like something. Do you think can I sue to worker and child family for no reason almost plan take my son very innocent disability? If I’m aright or wrong . If any to know please help me thank.
nadine says
Well I am lost.I have never been on this side of CPS. I had custody of my sisters 6 children back in 1996 to 1997. Had CPS at my home every other day but they never found anything wrong.Now my granddaughters were taken from my daughter who I was living with along with my 17yr old daughter.They took my grand daughters due to a 3rd drug test that was never taken and due to our landlord telling the CPS worker that we were evicted and had no where to go with the girls which was a lie she gave us a 3 day notice to pay or quit but then she took a $100.00 from me.The landlord told me she wasn’t going to evicted me that she wanted my daughter the mother to my granddaughters to get out.My daughter had to be in court for something else so when the work came looking for her Iwasn,t home I was grocery shopping and as I was in line I get a call from my daughter to get to the school cause they were taking the girls. They told my daughter to go home and that she will be right behind her with the girls so they could let her know what’s going on.It took them a long time before they came to the house and they came without the girls that where in school. I had the went home and waited they finally came with a cop and that’s when we heard she tested dirty.I was lost cause the 1st test they did was aswab on site which was clean then the 2nd test was a pee test which we were told she pasted too.so where this positive test came from I don’t know.They wanted the youngest granddaughter that was at a friends house and if we didn’t give them her we would go to jail.After they took my granddaughter we got to see them the next day.I was allowed to visit with them on their moms 1st visit and their fathers 1st visit but after that I was told by CPS that I could no longer see my granddaughters and was asked to leave their office.According to CPS they need to see if the Mom and Dad are bonded with the girls.Now I don’t understand the girls are 9,5 and 4 yes old I’m sure they are bonded.This CPS worker hasn’t helped my daughter in anyway to get the girls back.My daughter has enrolled in a MFI program all by herself with no help from CPS and she had asked to get a referral to be placed in a inpaticent place instead they gave her out patient.I want my granddaughters back and I want to be able to visit with them while my daughter is working to get them back what can I do .I need help.
Anna says
I was injured on the job three years ago, i received worker’s compensation. During the mediation, CPS informed me that my income is not “stable” enough to gain full custody of my children their father had been arrested for his first controlled substance charge. Of course his attorney hid this from the court. I NEVER had one dirty UA. Their father has many dirty UAs as well as a failed hair follicle. He lied to CPS and told them we were married, which is untrue we were divorced when our daughter was six months old. We had joint custody however I had the main custody of our daughter. At mediation they granted the father full access to the children where i have supervised visits. Which i was ordered to pay not only MY fee but the lady who has custody of our children’s fee!! Again CPS informed me that in two years if i was 1 either on ssi/disability 2 had gainful employment. I have been on Worker’s comp for THREE years,have a 24% whole body impairment rating. I couldn’t afford to pay the steep fees since that would have been my whole check. In the three years that they have been with their father he has told them i don’t love them want them or care about them! He has been arrested for evading arrest, three or four more drug charges, unspecified charge, driving while on a suspended license, and an alcohol charge. I am not allowed to call or speak with my children or have any other visits other then the supervised place. I have had two back surgeries in 10 months! As of April 1, 2014 I received my last worker’s comp check. I filed for Disability, however we all know what a process this is. I want to know if I as their mother can go into court and request full sole custody of my children. It was stated in the final orders that anyone who is using drugs or alcohol can not be around the children. Their father has not been sober since our divorce seven years ago, the children remember the abuse he did to me. Since I was severely injured on the job, which has caused complete disability, CPS made me choose my worker’s comp case or my children. Can they legally do this? With all their father’s drug and violent charges can I legally file paperwork to gain full custody of my children? They are 7 and 5. WE both have PC, and a family friend of his mother’s has custody. We live in Texas. I am just really confused as to what my rights are, because they wont tell me, and they don’t want me to know. I also have pictures he text me of a white superimpose group. He is dangerous and selling and manufacturing controlled substances.
Tiara says
My name is Leiann…
1 1/2 ago my aunt called the cops on me because she had asked my 6 years old daughter if anyone have touched her private before and she said yes because my husband touched her by accident and i saw it happened, but my aunt who called the cops have pinched her in her vagina and nothing happened to her. Me and my kids are going true a lot because of this i cant go to work because i have 3 kids that goes to school and 8 months baby. The Metro Police drop the case 1 week after because they said that there is no hard evidence…then cps goes to my kids school and took my kids after 3 months and they said because my daughter also said that he had put his hands on my daughter BUTT and when me and my ex-husband questioned her she said that it was because she had asked my husband to scratch her back and he was falling asleep. I dont know what to do because my husband has been away from my kids for too long and my case workers is making me look like am a bad mom. My daughter cries all the time because she misses him…my husband is more a father to her than her own father and now they took that away from her. i know we have a different law here but the way i grew is the only thing i learned to raise my kids. In my country every mother pinched their kids in the breast, vagina and butt and ask us “who’s vagina is it or etc…”
Donald says
Linda,
I have had several false reports filed on me through cps, which were found to be malicious reports. there is an ongoing investigation which is also assumed to be a malicious report. These have all been within the past year. The most recent report has caused me to loose my job. I was wondering if there is a way to sue cps for the harassment and anguish that my kids and myself have gone through..
dan says
im a single father with 14 yr old girl in Texas. I refused to provide consent for my daughter to be admitted to a state mental hospital. When they couldnt get my consent the social worker claimed that an “outside independent source” tells them possible sexual abuse in the home to get her admitted to the mental hospital. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks
Hailey says
I am having many issues with an ongoing case with cps and I am hoping to find some advice!!!! I had child protective services for my sic month old daughter here for the first time when she was about four months old myself and my significant other we reported for smoking marijuana and neglecting our daughter, upon seeing the home and examining my daughter the cps worker determined that she was very well taken care of and my home was not adanger I actually had two workers in my home at the same time, they then order urine analysis testing with no proper evidence to prove we were using marijuana and they found out upon testing my fiancé that he had infact smoked marijuana along with myself when they later tested me I have had a fail safe plan in effect for almost a week after being told I use marijuana to cope with mental health issues, but have never had any mental health issues documented by a phychiatrist was only every prescribed any phyciatric medication by a family doctor two years ago, I am not allowed to be around my daughter by myself and was informed by the cps worker that I was and adequate parent they were concerened about getting me the help I need. My daughter was born in the beginning of November and has never so much as had a cold. At this point I have to question if I am simply being strung along due to there ability to order urine tests when I tried to refuse she simply replied if you refuse we can remove your child from the home so I guess my question is if my daughters welfare is no longer in question and I have never used around my daughter or even in the home and they have no proof of other wise, I have also quit smoking marijuana as has my sig. other and are both in voluntary treatment and have voluntarily inquired about parenting classes how can they have a fail safe plan in place or continue to come to my home unannounced and tell me that they are unsure if they will remove my daughter based on the levels of marijuana in my system??? I feel as if my rights are being violated due to the fact that my daughters welfare is no longer in question am I correct in this belief I just need some help concerning what I should do from this point forward my case is still open and im not sure how to proceed!!!
Mary says
Ive been troubled sence my 8 day old son was taken from Uc Davis hospital In Sacramento I have then been subjected to classes were I have to admit to illegal drug use and submit to mental health medications which results in death of ones self and lies from lips to paper work all because a known medical conditon known as dementia of elders which my grandmother suffers the hospital red flaged said the living address was unsafe due to her conditions the local Amador co social worker investagated said the home was fine then lied on paper leaving my newborn son in foster care 7 mo later I still cry at night not knowing were he is at Please help
nia says
I am suing CPS here in Michigan. CPS got a judge to sign a order by telling them I had deplorable living conditions and I had to be placed in a mental hospital.The truth was My house was being remodeled it was a mess but not deplorable. The hospital thing came into play when I told the CPS worker she could not come into my home. She told they were at the school with my daughter because they received a call from someone saying I thought I had murdered my daughter. I used the b word and told her she was crazy. I told her I was going to the school to get my daughter! The next thing I knew two police officers were at my door demanding I let them in. I did. Im not even sure why i did that, something about the police at my door made me think i had to do what i was told. She and the police came in she began to photograph my home and walked through every room as I stood in the front room with the police. Then she told me all i had to do was go to the hospital to get an psych eval and my daughter could come home. I was placed into the back of the police car and driver to the neatest hospital. I was let go a few hours Dr.s told I was not in need of inpatient treatment. Long story short I later discovered my therapist called cps because i told her i felt i murdered her innocence, after I found out she had been molested by a foster child i brought into our home. I was not allowed to see my daughter until eight weeks later. She spent a year in two horrible foster homes. All my court reports still read I was in a mental hospital and I never was. Its so many things I left out I cant write a book here… I a have too sue, I just have too
Salem says
Hi I live in Seattle Washington Cps investigated me for sexual abuse allegation of my then 8 yr old daughter and determine that the allegation was unwarranted in May 2012, law enforcement, forensic exam of my child, I took two polygraph and all this is in my favor! How ever they still removed my child from the home and have not disclosed why. There was no abuse or neglect that placed my child in danger! I have been fighting to have my child returned but have been unsuccessful. What is my best way forward, now they are trying to terminate my rights. And although they have investigated the sexual abuse, they keep bringing it up as if it has validity. I have maintained weekly visits with my child and have continued to provide emotional and financial support for her. What should I do? They never tolded me that I was being investigated for these allegations until after they removed my child and then a week later I got a letter stating that the investigation was unwarranted. I have been in communication with all case workers to gave my child returned and that gave not gave me a case plan, I have had to line up my own services and I can not afford an attorney so one was appointed but does not fight for me. What can I do?
Linda Jo Martin says
Salem, I can only suggest that you read everything on this site and others like it, and develop a strategy to create your own legal documents and work with your attorney to get your documents and evidence submitted in court.
Salem Robinson says
The courts already have these documents. The are well aware that the investigation was closed as unwarranted. They have not offered me any services or even talked about giving me my child back! So what is there to do when the court is going along with CPS! And shouldn’t there be a valid reason to remove kids. Not here say but something substantially proven. Abuse or neglect?
Katrina says
Dcf was called on me. Alligations were said. All heresay. Only thing that really made me look bad is that I took my daughter to the ER for bad diaper rash. I changed her diapers everytime it got wet, even changed her diet! One of the times she got it, she came home with it from daycare. She was sitting in her filth with no diapers changed all day. Her poop was stuck to her butt to the point where she was bleeding. Then the second time I had to change her diapers(that’s what the pediatrician told me). Then it stopped for the most part. Well, dcf/cpi was called on me from past babysitter. She almost drowned my baby and I obv took her job away from her. She was amazing at first, idk what happened with her. Thing is, she did it in front of me! Dropped her in pool and she just “spaced the fact she didn’t have her life vest on”. Anyways,dcfwas atmy door the next day. I was having issues with my ex boyfriend. He started to get abusive towards me. (Choked me, but not in front of my daughter). The day they came out, my ex was watching her while I was at work. They talked to him and came back following day to talk to me. They talked to me, told me that if I opened up and told them that he was abusive they would get my daughter and I out of that situation. I was trying to get away from him anyways,so I opened up like a can of worms. (They knew he was bad bc his history). The next day,they called me and asked me if they could come to my work and talk to me since he wouldn’t be there. I told them yes. They came and told me I need to remove him from my home. I told them I can’t just throw him out due to the laws in fl. He legally lived there with me. They told me they would come and make him get out instead. They never did that. I was waiting that night and morning. Nothing. I put my daughter with a girl friend of mine and I went to work. I was attempting to move my daughter and I away from the situation. My job was dancing everyday for tips. I was trying my hardest. When I was at work.. they went to my friends house amd took her. Said that I didn’t get him out of the house. I didn’t have a paid lawyer to prove them wrong. This was august 2013, and its now almost the beginning of april 2014. Is there anyway me and her dad(hes in prison. Never met her. Got thrown in prison for something stupid when I was 3 months pregnant. He is going to help me sue) can sue the state of fl… or anyone for the wrong they did? My case worker told me at the staffing that her dad wants nothing to do with her. No one has even told him his lawyers name so he can contact him to talk about the case. They couldn’t “find” him last court date(her dad) due to them being lazy and not looking up new prison he moved to. What do I do? I want to try it,but will I lose her in the process? I don’t want to go that route and lose her. I’m doing everything right. Got all my classes done. But case worker is taking foreverrrrrr to get things going. Months to do one thing. If I fire her, will mydaughter be moved to a different foster home? I don’t want her moved bc it will mess with her head. Please help. Single mom in pain due to losing my little girl(2). I love her with all my heart. Please help me.
Thank you,
Katrina
Amber says
Missouri
I have had kids in CPS/DFS care for 6 years and 3 years. I have had 3 caseworkers in this time. 2 of them did everything in their power to try and take the kids that have been in care for 3 years.
The 3rd one I thought was helping me, he was very nice and everything but now they are trying to take my twins who are 5 yrs old…
My daughter who is almost 16 was in foster care and ran away on January 28, 2014 and hasnt been seen or heard from since. . They KNEW something was going to happen and did nothing about it.
I have been told by SEVERAL people that I can sue CPS/DFS because they lost my daughter. . I am in Missouri. .
I have been dealing with DFS/CPS’s BS for 6 years and I am sick of it!!!
I have done EVERYTHING that I was asked to do and now they are trying to do a TPR on my twins because the foster parents they are with want them. . What can I do. . Can I sue them because they lost my daughter???
I need serious help here!! I am about to have a breakdown because of this!!!
Linda Jo Martin says
Amber, go visit some attorneys – many will give you a free consultation. Maybe they can help you learn more about your possibilities for a lawsuit. Seriously, go see more than one… so you’ll get more than one opinion and maybe find someone willing to help. You might have to go outside your county to do this… since in-county lawyers are sometimes friends with the judges and social workers! Look around – it is worth your time to try to find someone who might want to represent you fairly.
LaTonya says
Lotsa parents have not learn this immediately go to the first hearing then to Federal Court and fight, many children are tortured in foster care, many do not know this, but in order for a county received grants for foster care that goes for child trafficking Yes! in our USA, the state has to take so many children into custody, and removed so many out, look some teachers, doctors, and nurses now this but are forbidden to reveal this truth. Did you know that as school, official and hospital are required to report abuse, they are prohibited from reporting if, the child is in foster care foster parents are protected. Did you also know that the judge is not ruling in the court room? CPS is? O yeah,Wake up America Child abuduction is just a block away and it involves CPS, so please if, you are stop recieving food stamps and soon most of the ill acting caseworkers will have not jobs. We can fight back!!!
LaTonya says
Lady by signing the written aggreement you admitted to guilt lotsa parents do this becuase they are afraid and permanent custody is appealable in court of appeals but sometime this court protects the guilty you should have and still do immediately file a complaint with a lawyer in Federal Court time is of esssance, I believe you child may have been sold as a sex slave you should not have abided by the written agreement if, they have not taken you other children shut up and move, fight for you daughter and sue the hell out of them dont tell anyone where you live, and by all means it is time to move.
melissa says
Im from southern indiana im seeking a lawyer that handles Federal suites i was involved with DCS and i feel the caseworker intentially misled the courts fabricated. Evidence and Dcs neglected my children thereselfs by not doing proper background checks they place my children with my mother but she lost my sister and I due to DCS. removing my sister and I in 1986 for abandonment malnutrition and my dad got custody but Dcs failed to do background checks on induviduals of the placement of my children. I feel my parential rights were violated if you cpuld help me seek an attorney in my area or direct me in the proper direction so I can fight DCS AND GET MY CHILDREN BACK WITH ME.
LaTonya says
Lady family is sometimes the best, be quiet and help your mom forgive the past, get yourself into church if, you are not already and keep DCYFS/CPS outta yo business they can not help themselves, and why would you think they care to help you? Now most of them are supporting an illegal habit know what I mean?
Shyanne Miles says
Me and my adopted mom want to set up a law suit against child protective services for false accusations and in the papers they sent to us after the adoption has not only my information but my deceased brothers and my younger adopted sisters and everyone’s social security numbers. The information on the case is contradictory of its self and I would like to know if we can sue them for false accusations.
Linda Jo Martin says
Hi there. The only way you’ll know for sure is to go consult with some attorneys… I recommend seeing at least three of them. Ask for a free preliminary consultation to see if you want to hire them (and so they can see if they want to take on your case).
James says
recently my social worker has been doing stupid things like saying I have to be supervised all the time im 16 and I haven’t and dont to anything wrong when I am alone she is making my foster mother drive me to school when I live less than a minute away and drive me home for lunch it is pointless and unreasonable and she has still not given us any information at all on to why this is supposed to be happening so we are going to ignore her orders I was wondering if the social wotker can even do this because when my foster mom went to the supervisors supervisor or administrator she made it seem to my mom like they wanted her to adopt me and this will all go away and I feel like they are trying to make my life difficult in order to get me out of the system
mike says
The orange county social services agency and family court of California opened a case on us based mainly on the ground that our home is “dirty”, nothing else. We don’t do drugs nor abuse our child nor have criminal records. This frivolous case has been opened on us for more than two years, tearing our family apart and slowly putting both me and my wife out of work. And right before we think it can be closed, our child’s lawyer sent someone to break into our apartment and took pictures of what they think shows “dirtiness” and the social worker recommended keeping the case open. We went thru a trial in the family court and the judge decided to have it open and want us to repeat counseling the we have already took pain to completed. This is a fraudulent waste of tax payer’s money and possible discrimination against us and a civil rights violation. Besides contacting civil rights lawyers in the greater L.A. area, would you recommend writing to the mayor, governor of California and our congress for help? Thanks.
Linda Jo Martin says
Mike – there are some suggestions here: Seven Ways to Fight CPS
LaTonya says
My question to you are your children with you?If,so get a lawyer several meters away that will take your case under U.S. Constitutional Rights that have been violated a good lawyer will file for an immediate hearing, then jury trial remember Chidren Division Staff can be sued, they run the judge, and the judge can be sentenced to jail/prison time if found guilty, never abide by the written agreement they set you up, and they lie it is all for funding when you win yourcase in federal court I sure hope you do this case will e paying you but, you must turn your recordings on everytime you talk with them demons, and not to trust the juvenile custody lawyers some of them are crooks they sale you out. Hope you pass the work. God BLess
brandi says
I Really got put bad spot my mom is z master of pretty much anything how do you have 4 kids in foster care a year and the day before you look up there background even when u where tol a 100 times the df adoption they found felony child abuse and domestic and assaults and his wifes n granddaughter wasn’t aloud stay there cause him they said if i dont go along I’ll never see again and he has them, the cops been this house more than any house in county and dhs never has been back his divorce the judge asked how he adopted kids he abused me and are siblings was in jail for it and they let him adopt my kids after telling kids if u don’t live 7 years poor kids u are supposed protect I told u and then u tell me not say anything my worker can not even understand why my kids aren’t with me she is just upset the s yatwm failed me here office is covering it up i cant even begin to tell u all that happened wow dieing
Lydia says
My husband was arrested in 2008 for premeditated murder and was released on no info and we have a letter of expungement from FDLE. We were denied our granddaughter by DCF because the detective in the case said to DCF worker my husband is still considered a suspect. Therefor we now have our granddaughter going into foster care. Even thou the case status is disposed since 2008 which means closed my husband and I have lost our rights to our granddaughter . The Police station was also sent a certified letter that this case was administratively expunged. What do you recommend we do ? I am his wife and also the private investigator that helped the police department and State Attorneys office with substantial evidence that freed him.
Linda Jo Martin says
Lydia, you will need an attorney to help sort that out… I am not an attorney and can’t advise you in that way. I will say that it appears that you have to choose between living with your husband or your grandchild. And once the child is lost to foster care it would be very hard to get her back, which is why having an attorney is essential.
bonnie says
I need help cps has rocked our live mine and my daughters for no reason other than mother seemed help for her son…..
Hana says
Does anyone have a success story of completing their services (not court ordered) within the 5 months and getting your baby back?
Me and my husband have been dealing with this for 3 months now. False accusations led to a safety placement plan with my sister, I don’t see him though.. We just about completed all of our services and have proved ourselves over the accusations.. Just looking for a success story here :/
Linda Jo Martin says
A section of our message board is devoted to success stories.
B. says
My name is ls [deleted] I need help pls .I have 8 children two already away from home so I have 6 at home c.p.s.came to my house saying there was a out cry. from my 13 y old that c.p.she does not walk and her vocabulary is 25 to 30 words.they first said my17 y old had sexually touched her then again that my 15 y old and my bf had sexually touched her.then the next week that she had got hit so they wanted to go get her checked for sexual assult went when Dr came in the shierff and c.p.s worker told him there was penetration through both sides when test was over she was still a virgen then they said it was oral.but they never told me that the other aligation was the penetration through both sides .ok then it was said it was Saturday now it is said it was Sunday ok they placed my daughter the boy they say did this is my 16 y old bf. they had tried to get him last year for dating my 14 y old now 16 with his baby but they couldn’t cuz she got pregnant after she was 15 so now there on him and me again ok they came did a drug test I thought something was funny so I do take meds but have been out for two weeks ok o told them I took meds so then they said ok they schulded a meeting at c.p.s office they said to get my daughter back ok well when get there in the middle of coherence they said the test results came back positive for antihistamin , cocain ,weed , and three other drugs I don’t even now what they r I told them no I don’t do drugs
and I said take Whitney test now they said we can but the first one counts the test results of my daughter came back neg no DNA nothing on her so now they have all my kids even grandson except my 17 y old what can I do someone pls pls help me
Linda Jo Martin says
B – I had to remove your name because I didn’t want your social worker to find your comment through the Google search engine. Please register at our message board for feedback on your situation. About the falsified drug test – you need a lawyer to help you through this. If you don’t have a lawyer yet, look for a family law attorney in your phone book. You probably should get another doctor/company to do a drug test so you’ll have evidence that the first one was false. At least, that’s what I’d do if it happened to me.
KENDA says
My case has been open almost 1 yr. I am a recovering drug addict. I went through treatment and was ordered to wear these drug screening patches. I was clean and these patches occasionally come back with like 19ng or 21ng of cocaine in them. I have not used! I was told if I did they would for sure take my kids! I was clean. The DHS and Lawyers say there is NO way the patch could have positive results without use but in my online investigation even the company claims there can be a false positive result! No they are taking my kids from me even though I had been clean and done all other requirements. Based soley on these patches!!! Its crazy because ONE hit of crack would have been more then the ng reported in the patches. DHS or CPS is taking kids away from loving parents who have cleaned up their lives. These patches are like God himself pointing the finger in ur face and saying U DID USE!!!
I have lost everything my nursing carrer, my boyfriend of 11 yrs. my possessions, and now my the only thing left in life that matters,my childern. I can’t believe they can just wisk them away and not even giving my parents a chance to adopt them because their relationship with me is “too close” thet are afraid of contact with me…. What is a desparate momma to do… they don’t care how much they are hurting the kids! Trying to blame the Mom for all the pain they are going thru but foster parents are not even taking him to mandatory weekly therapy…. But I’m the horrible parent…
God help me through these years while I wait to see them again. I cannot control them being taken but I will see them again, if I am able to hold on…..
yolanda says
I feel my sons are getting mislead CPS boys they are already trying to adoped them out I have been lied and disscremited agenst me buy CPS Calif. Please. I have done everything that I can possibly do , I want my sons can any body give some kind of info how to get this law suit going
Jaime says
M two daughters were taken by CPS yesterday. Allegations that I abuse my pain meds. I have not abused my pain medication. With no proof they took my babies. I am so heart broken. I’ve been disabled for 8 years. I have a lot of hardware in my lumbar. I wish I didn’t need medication. However, I’ve tried everything else. Which has lead to more pain. I’ve reduced the amount of medication. So how could they?
I’ve raised my babies since they were born. I’ve had costudy of them for seven years now. My daughters have excellent attendance records. They are happy , healthy , but not wealthy. I need prayers from everyone. I have my evidence in order. I have a meeting with CPS on mOnday. I also have my oldest son as an emergency guardianship over my daughters. Yet they refused to see these notarized papers. They are making a huge mistake. I filed for child support two weeks ago. Then my kids get taken away. Is this how it’s supposed to work?
Linda Jo Martin says
Hi Jaime, I am so sorry for your loss of children to the child welfare system. If you filed for child support two weeks ago, maybe your ex made a complaint in hopes of not having to pay. That happened to me. See Child Custody Battles and CPS
steve says
nice job good info.. Michigan has not gotten better since 2010.
Free Bree happened 2013
Denise says
If anyone has any advise or anything that could help us u can contact me at curtiasbell[at]mail.com thank u and to all god bless u and god see fit to return all of your children and grandchildren back into your arms safely.
Denise says
I have two boys ages 6&8. My 8yr old had been showing rebelling behavior, such as refusing to do school work(at or school), lying,as well as stealin(from students,the teacher,as well as from me and his father). Both me and&my husband have tried thing under the sun from making him write “I won’t steal”, to grounding him to his room with no toys. In order to break hi bad behavior, but nothing work. Unfortunatly he stole from us again. So I called the school ask if they have heard of students talking about my oldest giving away any ps3 games and the Vice Principle told that yes she had heard something of that nature but that she was actually on her way to call me to inform me that he had just got caught stealing some poison cards from another student. So I intern told my son he left me no choice but to spank him and i did that. Keep in mind that i did not spank him when he stole $380 from just that Monday,this happened on Thursday November 14. On Friday November 15at 3:10pm 2 Dss workers & 4 county police officers showed up telling me that had a report of drugs and child abuse at my home. The caseworker then tells me that because they could smell pot in the house they had to take my kids because in fear that they could be in danger to more abuse and/or neglect. Now please keep in mind that neither me nor our children were in the home at the time the pot was being smoke. The cops did not search my home nor did they find anything laying around. The caseworker then told me that I needed to find somewhere for them to go or they was to be placed in fostercare. I then called a fellow employee to see his family would help. They said yes and my boys were gone. I was then placed in handcuffs and taking to jail for “Unlawful conduct on a minor”. And here it’s January 16 and the family they was placed with no longer wants them in their home. I was told I have until tomorrow to come up with someone else to place them or they will be put in fostecare. I told the new caseworker I wanted my mom to take custody but because she lives in another state they would still have to be placed with in fostercare. I need help because I have yet to find a lawyer in the state of South Carolina that will take my case. I know in my heart that there is some dirty stuff going on with this case. My problem is how do I prove it when the only thing i have yet in writing is at my criminal lawyer’s office? Please somebody anybody please help us. We can’t eat, sleep. I’ve had a migrant headache every since they took my babies. Our boys are our lives and we are lost without them. What do we do????
Heather says
My grandson is in foster care in Kentucky after his sperm donor dropped him off.I am being told my grandson has mild autism or possible brain damage due to thrle abuse from his parents and step parent.CPS in Clermont County never did a thing.Can I sue them on behalf of my grandson?Why aren’t these so called parents in jail?I’m heartbroken and can’t handle this pain and let down.
Mary says
what if I am a cps child that ran away but my story is that cps took my daughter the day we were getting released from the hospital. they said it was due to my past and it didn’t make any since because I had been doing good my whole entire pregnancy and it was heart breaking for me because they thought I was going to put my daughter in danger. I want to get out of cps even without getting adopted. do you know if there is a way for me to say that I want to take care of myself and all so that I can get my own place and go back to school and get my daughter back?
april says
oh sorry in order to contact me here is my email address enigmaify[at]myself.com
Mishelle says
Thank you greatly, but my apologies not having seen this until now, a year later. I’d been going thru my iphone links & found myself back here. I’ve still heard nothing, since my son turned 18, had hoped he’d look for me & made my social media accts viewable by any/everyone, beings i’ve searched years for him via social media (heard he does use social media, Facebook/etc) though I no longer have Myspace acct, as something within their site messed up our previous computer, a virus of some sort. My email’s mychele411[at]hotmail we’re currently in process of moving back to our house in AZ, as I started enduring really bad allergy attacks in Cali, beginning last June RE: crippling migraines, nausea & so/on. *sigh*
Mishelle says
Hello my ordeal happened in New Jersey back in 1999 & 2000. My son had choked one of the kittens we had, so I had held his arm to keep him from yanking & running away from me, to tap his butt; well he managed pulling away & fell onto our sect.8 linoleum floor, but that day & days later he was outside playing w.our neighbors daughter & perfectly fine. I had went to work one-night (3rd shift}dropped him off@the babysitters & proceeded to work w.out incident; next thing I knew police were@my employment around 2am & took me to the station stating my son@the ER hurt. Anyway, I had state police harassing me along the way there, saying that i’d abused my kid for a long time, but now i was caught (mind you this was 1st job i’d had, since leaving his abusive father, who worked so that we didn’t need a babysitter) so in a nutshell i was accused of injurying my sons shoulder; criminal charges of failure to give proper medical attention were dismissed, for reasons stated in court documents; injury he had was easy to happen. The sect-8 apts where we lived; moved to from a battered womans shelter RE: his abusive alcoholic father; their office contacted DYFS aka CPS telling them they had received calls to their office telling them it was not the mother aka me, who hurt the child, it was the woman the babysitter lives with, but DYFS told apt.office it was hearsay, cause they didnt have caller id, yet never once looked into it & stayed focused on me. I had gotten pregant by someone i was seeing & public defender assured me they could not take that child, so long as I did my prenatal & etc, which I did, but day i went into labor; my than social worker was on my phone telling me not to take-off, like i’d ever given them a reason to stress me like that while in labor (yrs later heard he was fired for wrongful interference w.another clients case) so anyway they took my baby too. I went to court every single time i had to; even 2-days after giving birth. I ended losing my new apt.(not sect.8) to water damage caused by a fire the neighbor started & caused entire 12-units being condemned. Red Cross told me they couldnt help me w.a sec.dep, as I had just started new job (lost previous one from going back/forth to court & DYFS would always postpone; that judge kept allowing)So i had nowhere to live; started living place to place all over Jersey; lost both of my kids due to this. Apparently, judge sealed it & my parental rights were severed, which i never signed. I stumbled on a website w.my oldest sons pic.saying a bunch of aweful things about me, so i emailed them; reminding them they never proved I did anything & they got my child by default, cause I couldn’t get to court & BOOM they took it down. At this point its been so long & my eldest son, Ralphy will be 19 come this August, but apparently mad@me as he thinks I abandoned him :( My now husband & me would like to try adopting just one-child as our own either from another country or in state we now moved to, as I now have PCOS, diabetes & other health issues, but i dont know how that’s gonna work given being done dirty by state of NJ
Lena says
I am from Arkansas and i have 4 children. I am a single parent, with the father of my oldest 3 deceased due to a car accident, and the father of my 3 year old deceased due to a heart attack. I hired someone to live in my second home to take care of my children while i was out on road working. My 15 year old daughter was taken August 22. The CPS worker said I had left her there to live on her own. (LIE!) The court appointed attorney proceeded to tell me I needed to plead guilty because I would not win my case. My first visit (December 5) with my daughter was interesting- I found out she told the caseworker the NANNY was not letting her stay with her at night. The new cps worker also informed me “OUR attorney always tell the parents to plead guilty because 90% of the time the judge is going to side with them anyway. Which also saves them on court costs.” I am now looking for a lawyer to fight them. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Linda Jo Martin says
Lena, you can sign onto our message board for suggestions from other parents. Use a fake name!! http://forum.fightcps.com
Heriberto says
I want to sue ACS. for submitting false info to courts. Violating confidentiality clause set by prior judge, allowing son to be picked up by stranger from school bus, neglecting to seek proper medical care for my child, coercing wife as to what to do n say
Jessie says
I’ve been fighting with CPS for over a year now to no avail. My son was removed from my home after my roommates oldest son fell off the trampoline and told school workers he was being abused so he could go live with his step mother. My son was placed with my parents and my sister. I was getting visitation every week unsupervised, and even got over night visits on the weekends and anytime my son was out of school he was allowed to stay at my home. I reported to CPS on numerous occasions that my son was being exposed to a registered sex offender (my sister’s boyfriend), nothing was ever done about this until he went to jail for violation of probation. Fast forward to February of this year we went back to court and I was told to keep my son at my home, as the home he was staying in was unfit (he was staying with my parents and my sister). At the end of March we went back to court, I was given documents saying that I had never abused my son, and the judge said that my child would be placed back into my custody. I kept my son up until April 4th, when CPS called me and told me that the “Committee” said I had to send my son to a youth shelter. No reason was given as to why I needed to do this only that I had to inform my son, he would be going to stay in a youth shelter as of the 5th. I sat my 10 year old son down and explained to him what I had been told, we cried and neither of us understood why this was happening, because by all accounts he was mine to keep. The morning of the 5th after taking him to school, CPS called and told me my son would not be going to the youth shelter as previously stated but he would return to my parents home. When I asked why I was told that the committee ruled that my son needed to be away for 2 weeks, which I didn’t understand since he had been with me for 2 months. Then the case worker, informs me that she lied at court and told them my son had only been in my care for 3 days and not 2 months, because she wasn’t suppose to be letting him stay with me, but knew the house he was in was unfit and had been proven unfit by CASA workers. So then I asked her, why would I send my child to a home that was unfit when he was being taken care of perfectly fine with me, my caseworker hung up on me instead of answering my question. Shortly thereafter, I got a phone call from my sister saying that the caseworker told her how she had lied at court, and how she planned on finding an attorney for the caseworker lying to us. When my sister hung up my caseworker called me back, and told me “If you want to see your kid again, you’ll never talk to your family as long as he is there, or I promise you, I’ll make sure you never see him again”. I was shocked, and frightened because I had done nothing wrong and was being called and threatened by a person who was suppose to have my son’s best interest at heart. I was further told, that I would no longer receive visits from my son, and no more over night stays, until she (the case worker) felt it was good. After crying all weekend I called CPS today to speak to someone, and get told that “I don’t care what you did to any child, you must lie to the committee and admit guilt, or you will never get your son back in your home”. I was also informed that I will be allowed to have my son from 5pm Saturday until 5pm Sunday and that if my child is late arriving home then I will not be allowed to get another visit for 2 weeks. And again I was warned that I would not speak to my family if I want to see my child again. I’m at a loss here, I don’t know what to do, I’ve got documentation saying that I’m allowed visits every weekend and anytime my child is out of school, I get 2 hour visits every Wednesday according to the documents, and it’s been proven that I’ve never hurt my child nor have I allowed anyone else to hurt my child. Court records show the judge told CPS to place my child back with me. Yet here I am with no child, being threatened, being told to stay away from my family and not talk to them, being told about lies that are happening in court by my caseworker, and being told I need to admit guilt where there is none. Is there anyone who knows what I need to do at this point, to get my child back, is there anything at all I can do to fight CPS for lying and removing my child once again without reason. I live in Oklahoma if that helps. Thank you for your time.
Linda Jo Martin says
Jessie, I would call the state department of social services to request an administrative hearing if the caseworker is not following court orders. I’d also inform my state legislators and county commissioners.
Jennett(GRANPARENT) says
I lived in SANTA CRUZ Ca,Im Ganparent who was raising my grand daughter,CPS came and took her from me case worker said that the father whom almost killed my daughter was out of jail and that my grand daughter was in danger that i have no rights to her that i need to give her up,and the Juged wont give her back to me,and thay never gave a service plan ,and they never offerd reunafaction services they just denied her of every thing and are trying to take parents rights a way,I have spint most of my saves trying to fight for my grandaughter on attorenys and not 1 of them did any thing to help me ,my granddasughter is 2 now and its been a year sence i have seen her .If there is any 1 out there that knows attorney that will help me out please Email me .and my hart gose out to all of you that have had CPS in your life they are very very wrong people.they dont care about the kids they only care about the money like Santa Cruz got 55000.dollars for takeing my grand daughter and the adoption ageiny got 5000. thou dollars and when the adoption gose throught they will get more money. but im trying to stop that from happening.4/1/2013
natasha says
i recently had my children removed from my home. a hair follicle drug test was ordered for them when the results came in there was supposedly a high level of cocaine found in them i was denied the results the kids pediatrician called and she was also denied the test results they said that they could not be found i immediatly took them for a second opinion which came back and said theyre was no cocaine found in them we have been trying to contact the cps case worker that has my case and she has not been returning any of our phone calls…help!!!
Monie says
With the Social Service, so the caseworker who was assigned to my sister, was favoring the other family because of that. Before the first court session, my sister had visitations once out of the week for 8 hours while the father was having unsupervised visits at his home for 4 days with unlimited hours. The caseworker has been telling the judge the Mother is not trying to bond with her child-which is not true because the caseworker was never present at any of the visitations. They have granted my sister an attorney, but the attorney knew the caseworker on a personal level. She did not want to take the risk with this attorney, so she decided to find her own attorney. There’s still much info on this, but is there a way she could fight this?
Monie says
My sister has been fighting for 2 years for her daughter. It started when she brought her daughter home from her daughter father’s house and realised she was crying as if it was the end of the world. She took her to the hospital because she’s concerned, and the doctors came back stating the child had fractures in her leg and elbow. That’s when they called CPS and was placed into foster care. The Social Service assigneda caseworker to her, and she’s been explaining she wasn’t aware of her daughter’s injuries until she took her to the hospital. We later found out the father’s mother has a license
Valerie says
My family’s Rights have been Violated by people that works in Authority, like the cps workers, their superiors and supporters, foster moms, some police officies, and court appointed attorneys, etc. These authorities bind together against families like mine in order for them to produce foster children to be place in the market as a profit for foster parents who will be making a wealthy living off of their destructions on families. Since my family have been oppressed by these authorities, will I be able to get a Civil Rights Attorney Pro Bono? Could you give me a list of Civil Rights Attorneys? Thanks!
Linda Martin says
To Valerie: I don’t have a list of pro-bono attorneys, but there are a few links on this page that might help.
William says
OK. This is weird,but explain to me how you would handle this situation. We forceably made a camper leave our house a few days ago. Later on that same day OCS reported to my house to serve me papers, saying that my girlfriend was abusing and neglecting my son. The rest of the information that was given to me about what was done could have only come from a person who stayed inside the house. Well I am in the process now and I want to find out if there is any form or legal precedent that can help me find out if it was actually the camper who filed, so I can start suing. First person willing to talk, I will tell the whole storyword for word. E–mail me at william_h_shields[at]mybrcc.edu
Linda Martin says
You would have to go to court to get permission to see who reported you. Unless you’re getting continuously reported on, it is unlikely that a judge would unseal the report records for you. Consult an attorney. Having a competent attorney’s help is the number one best defense against CPS in the early investigation stage of a case.
mike says
My girlfriend abuse drugs. She is on oxycodone two times a day prescribed by her doctor but her dealer gives her more than what she is prescribed. She has snorted oxycodone, percocet, lortab and xanax during her pregnancy. I contacted everybody you can imaging to stop her and her dealer from harming my child including cps but no result. So I decided to record her as an evidence . I have a recording of her the day after the baby was born on the hospital bed snorting pills with the baby on her arm. I contacted cps but the test become unsubstantiated . After the baby was born she kept taking the baby to her dealer house when she was only a week old. I kept begging her to stop but did not listen so I had to call cps again. Before cps arrival I recorded her snorting percocet which she is not prescribed. Today I got the copy of her drug test from cps stating that the result is unsubstantiated again I don’t understand how it can be when I have a prove. Also the meconium test was also negative for xanax, lortab, and percocet. I am confused how it could be possible. I need help I need to save my daughter.
Mishelle says
Your daughter’s fine, I’m sure. Just because ppl are prescribed pain meds by dealers aka [doctors]?? doesn’t justify we’re bad people or parents. I was diagnosed with herniated disc that’s pinching my main nerve[sciatic]& slight fibro.
We fled to Cali, after doctor in AZ didn’t have confidence in herself, to treat me with pain med when thats the only med that helped the chronic pain; to be able to get me off them when/if I got better aka able to afford surgery. Instead, she made me a guinea pig; put me on everything else except that didn’t ease the pain than she’d prescribed me [Amptytriptyline] that landed me in the ER with 180-heartrate & could’ve killed me! so we fled to Cali to find a decent doctor, who wasn’t scared to help me & had enough confidence in themselves to be able getting me off pain meds when I’m able to have surgery & hopefully get better so I don’t need them [if i chose to cos surgery could actually make it worse since its my spine & I’ve bad anxiety when it comes to needles; dentists etc.circumstances involving anything with needles/cutting me open or whatever unless they knock me out during procedure lol] but my point’s those with “legitimate” ailments who’re prescribed pain meds by their doctor, aren’t bad or incompetent parents/ppl. As long as it’s out of reach of their children, not being given to children and/or not being abused or snorted; only swallowed, as we all “normally” ingest medicines than please have some understanding & compassion.
maryann says
My court appointed lawyer straight up lied to me. She tricked me into “tpr” saying the judge was going to rule no matter what I did. The fisrt judge wouldn’t terminate them so she had another judge come in. It was obvious I didn’t want to do this. But my lawyer threatened me and insulted me and told me that I couldn’t change lawyers. I was in jail at the time so I couldn’t even look anything up. What do I do? I have been miserable ever since$m how can a lawyer get away w/ that its not fair.
Linda Martin says
Maryann, nothing about CPS is “fair” … it is all about money and the caseworker’s ego in not wanting to lose a case. When you’re in jail you’re in a very weak situation for trying to fight a CPS case. I’m sorry that happened to you… I know the pain of losing a child is the worst thing ever.
Nonna says
My grand baby was placed with me while going through the foster application process, I received a notice of denial, to become her foster parent, and in searching the internet have learned they can now come remove her from my home. Is there an appeal I can make, what can I do now? It will kill me to have her removed from our home and placed in a foster home. The letter doesn’t state why we were denied. My only thought could be because we live on social security. Please, I have got to find a way to appeal this decision!!
Jazmine says
My case was dismissed on September. I was told to get services via Military post social worker. The Cps here in GA came to my house today saying we weren’t getting services via a call they recieved. That’s not true we are getting the COURT ORDERED services here. I talked to the social worker and my lawyer. They were all confused. I think they just wanted to re open a case due to the fact it was dismissed! I don’t want these people in my lives. I don’t know who called due to the fact we are getting the services and they said they had concerns. Bologna! They’re making it up because we are done with those people and they didn’t get the child like they were hoping. I don’t know what to do any advice would be lovely.
Linda Martin says
Jazmine.. the best advice comes from your lawyer. If you would like to have feedback from other parents, you can write to them on our message board: http://forum.fightcps.com … remember to keep documentary evidence of all the services you receive. Congratulations on having your prior case dismissed.
Ashley says
I have been dealing with CPS since the day my son was born. I have a history of drug use as a teen. I was clean for a year and a half and all during my pregnancy until 38 weeks and used once. Not even enough to get high. In a panic, I went to the hospital my insurance covers (navy) looking for help the same night. I was treated as a criminal and turned away with the number to a psychiatrist and tried to follow up with a social worker there at the hospital for looking into rehab information, which I never received. During this time, I had an isolated incident of domestic violence, which I reported to my husband’s command. He has been going to treatment since with no further issues.
My son was born a couple weeks later, VERY sick. I delivered him at the same hospital I had gone to before. They never told me they were calling CPS, but a case worker had been assigned to us and came to talk to me when I was in recovery. This was 3 days after my son was born. By this time, he was on life support at another hospital and i HADN’T EVEN SEEN HIM YET. They told me as long as I passed a drug test, everything should be fine.
Well at this point, we thought my son wasn’t going to make it. I fell back into drug use (keep in mind he was in the hospital on an ECMO machine this whole time). I kept blaming myself and the hospital kept saying it wasn’t my fault. We were at the hospital with him EVERY DAY NO MATTER WHAT. I didn’t even get to hold him the first time until he was 3 weeks old.
A couple weeks later, he was transferred back to the hospital he was born at because by some miracle of GOD he came off ECMO AND the ventilators. He was at this hospital and he got out when he was a week shy of 3 months. He is now in foster care and has been since he was released.
The navy hospital never told us that we were doing anything wrong when we were there. They told CPS that if we brought him home with us he would DIE. They have accused us of being both abusive and neglectful with NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER proving so. i went to drug treatment and have had one isolated incident of relapse in 3 months of recovery and am starting an inpatient treatment program next week. My husband has been accused of abusing me on hospital grounds with again NO EVIDENCE proving so. No witnesses other than “hospital staff” no video recordings even though there are cameras everywhere at this hospital and they even called in a child abuse expert because he had a tiny bruise on his knee automatically blaming us even though he was in their care 24-7. Both hospitals have made up complete lies about us. The first hospital he was in even said we never came in even though I HAVE PICTURES TAKEN BY ONE OF THEIR NURSES OF US IN HIS ROOM.
They had told us that what would happen when our son got out was that my husband would be the primary caregiver and that I could live here but my son couldn’t be with me alone until I did A, B and C. They wanted me to go to treatment and all kinds of other stuff, which I had no issues with. They DAY MY SON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DISCHARGED, they told us we couldn’t take him with us and that all of a sudden my husband was an issue and now he can’t go home with him either. They strung us along for 3 months making us think we were doing the right thing and not ACTUALLY telling us what we could do to get him home and then they sent him to live with some stranger almost an hour away from us. We only get two one hour visits a week.
When we went to our first hearing, we basically were told to be there at 1pm, we talked to our attorneys and were in the court room by 4:45 and the hearing was over in less than 20 minutes. They just told us he was staying in foster care. We didn’t even get to present a case.
Our son will be 4 months old in November and we have never had the chance to care for him in our home and they are talking about keeping him away from us for another 5 MONTHS. It’s like no matter what we do, we aren’t good enough and when we go to court, we aren’t getting a chance to defend ourselves. The judge is only looking at what CPS says about us, which is of course all bad and we get hammered with accusations and told we can’t bring our baby home.
I have no idea what to do, how to defend myself. I have been away from my baby for 4 months and am loosing seeing him grow up because of this. What can I do to speed up the process? Should I try to sue? Would I even have a case? I’m so heartbroken and lost, I just want my son. I need some serious advice here, I feel like i’m losing my mind.
kathi says
ok so my story is from 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa. I had 4 children at the time and 1 on the way. Dhs got involved with my kids in 1993 when my ex boyfriend spanked one of my children and left a bruise on his bottom..We did everything they told us to do and had asked for help in dealing with my sons behaviors. He was born in 1991 prematurely and then when he was 6 wks old went into respritory arrest. When he got older he would want to eat nonstop and he ate anything and everything and would also bang his head when he got upset. I think he has autism but he was diagnoised with borderline mental retardation in 1994.
Fast forward to 1995.. the same son fell down in the bathroom and hit his eye on the counter, witnessed by his older brother and a family friend, I was not present when it happened. anyways he went to school and daycare telling them (when asked about his eye) that he had fell down and hit it. but upon visiting his therapist he supposedly told him that I had done it. later that evening dhs came to my home and removed him. 3 months later a police officer came to my door and removed my oldest son and went to the daycare and removed my other 2 children and I was told that my son that had been taken 3 months earlier had told his therapist that I had sexually abused him. I seen a video and the only thing my son had said was that i had touched his butt and then said and so did you to his therapist. A few months later my oldest son supposedly told the same therapist that I had done things to him.
Charges were brought against me in 1996 and later dropped after depositions because the therapist had admitted to telling my oldest son that he needed my son to tell him those things so he could be returned home to me and also the video that had my son making these supposed allegations couldnt be found and no one had ever seen it.
They also removed the baby I had been carrying due to the allegations. But a yr later let me keep another child that I gave birth to.
I have lived with those allegations over my head for the past 17 yrs. and needless to say it has ruined my life!!!!
I didn’t do those things that dhs and that therapist said that I did!!!! and I have found that is one charge that you can’t prove your innocence to. However I am still hopeful that someone will come forward that knows what dhs did to me and my family.
If anyone knows of someone that can help me clear my name and sue dhs and the therapist for the wrongs they have done to me and my kids please leave a comment for me. thanks
Linda Martin says
Kathi, the kids can sue when they are 18… they will have a short time during which they can sue – in most states, only two years. See a lawyer about the statute of limitations.
Tamara says
Parent was crashing and CPS refused to allow her treatment before she signed over Kids. Cop and EMT and Doctor thought that was the lowest thing that they had seen. LAwyer is needed to sue for the taking of children, refused family and friends the children and have adopted them out
taira says
hi my name is taira please tell me how to gather that information on the foster parent as my kids were coming to visits with brusies and rashes and then my kids started sexually acting out in foster care i need help i love my daughters with all my heart and will do what ever it takes to bring them home this happened in texas
Linda Martin says
Taira, can you photograph your children’s injuries during visits? Could you take those photos to the county commissioners? Could you share them with your state legislators? If the caseworker won’t care about your kids, maybe someone else will.
Sabrina says
my two children were molested in the care of cps and nothing was done..they have took all my rights away. thats what i got for trying to get justice for my kids. im a single mom that has lost everything cuz of this. i dont know where else to turn. It all was over something that was proven untrue.What can i do?
Linda Martin says
Sabrina.. not sure anyone will help, but I would be making appointments to talk to constitutional rights attorneys. See if you can find attorneys outside your county (but inside your state) who will give you a free consultation to explain your case. Take documentation of everything… photocopies – not your originals.
Lisa says
They removed my daughter due to medical neglect, not taking her to her appointments, the doctor sent me a letter stating of the 4 missed appointments, my daughter was in the hospital during 2 of them and I didn’t have the money to travel 1 time and the other I didn’t have a vehicle. CPS was given a copy of this letter but they wouldn’t even let me dispute thier decision. The CPS investigator stated she wanted to keep this out of court for my daughters sake. My daughters and granddaughters mean the world to me and I want us to be reunited. My granddaughters mother, my daughter, was using drugs at the time. I feel that my civil rights have been violated and I want CPS to be exposed and pay for all the stress and hurt they have imposed on this family.
Lisa says
My two granddaughters were taken by CPS from my daughter whom were living in my home I also have a terminally ill 17yr old daughter whom was in the hospital over 200 miles away receiving treatment. I tried to intervene but when my daughter got home from the hospital CPS removed her and placed her with her father. My case was closed with reason to beleive. I didn’t get a letter of the closing or how to appeal it until the case was already closed. Now they are saying that I was validated in my granddaughters case for non-adult supervision. My daughter was their legal guardian and she was 18 at the time. I have yet to receive a letter of validation for this and it has been 9 mos. Now they want the foster parents to adopt the girls. I have an attorney but I don’t know how good he is. I have no more money to get another attorney. What should I do?
Linda Martin says
Lisa, write to your attorney (and keep a copy). Sometimes they don’t respond to phone calls. You might also want to register for our message board for support and feedback. http://forum.fightcps.com
John says
My wife and I were charged with child neglect (lack of supervision) becuase our 2 1/2 year old son got out of the house twice in one month. I know, I am absolutely sick to my stomache about it. The cops were called in both situations. The first incident I was upstairs working on the flooring while my son was taking a nap downstairs and he woke up and out the sliding door. The second incident, my wife took some water to my oldest son who was mowing for a lady 3 blocks away. Wife asked out twin girls (10 yrs old) to watch for our youngest son until she gets back. Well, he got out before she got back (20 minutes later). Long story short, this case was thrown out as “unsubstantiated”. However, my wife and I have an attorney fees AND I applied for a job and did not get it becuase I think my name was wrongfully placed in a caregiver registry (I am a professional caregiver by career ie. hospice chaplain). To make this even more crazy – my wife and I are former foster parents and the little boy who got out of the house is our adopted son – whom we love wholeheartedly! What should I do? Maybe just let it be and go with life being thankful nothing more serious evolved.
Linda Martin says
John, you can get feedback on your case at http://forum.fightcps.com – where you’ll find other parents who have been through CPS cases. It sounds like your name has been placed on the Central Index. You can find the law for your state here: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/registry.cfm
larry says
I live in texas have a big problem need help bad ?Unable to see my daughter due to family service say its best interest of yhe child for me to stay away. All they tell me is my child dont want to see me when she opened up to me about a horrible thing that happen to her. They have failed many times to tell me why plus when i mention to them a court order with no restictions was given to me . All they say is we have to do what is best for her and listen to her wishes. I have been acussed of so many things and cps close these cases in favor to me .i have also tried geting help from the police and i am told the same or there is nothing we can do.if not you need to leave your mothers child along and go bother the therapist. So i did same with her and the director. Now that i want to talk to them they hide or are to busy and cant talk or call me back. I fear for my childs safety due to the things i was told by her mother her live in boyfreind did . What gets me the most is i am being slamed with all kinds of stuff while he is being protected by her a tells my child to deal with it .
Linda Martin says
Larry, do you have a lawyer to talk this over with? If there’s no court order they are violating law and you will need a lawyer to help straighten this out.
gagrandma says
Wow, so many sad stories. How can so many agencies in so many states be getting away with this. How can they lie and falsify reports, return children to the violent parents while disregarding so many other family members who are not only willing to raise these kids. very, very saddening. I am a grandmother who should be raising her 3 precious grnadkids. My daughter has had mental health issues and married a man who was violent. After being warned not to be around the kids or my daughter, he has managed to kidnap them, take them to another state, and now CPS is helping him get all his criminal charges dropped so they can return the kids to him. They told me, he is not a threat since he is no longer with your daughter. This lady is too old and mature to think that the violence in the home was my mentally ill daughter. Yes, she is a handful but what he has done to her and the children has never proven he was anything but a very evil man. CPS has refused my request for kinship care and lied ot the judge saying my husband had a possesion charge on him 20 years ago. I spoke up and told the judge that was not true and he just said, it wouldnt be in the report if it wasnt true. I have the report and it is NOT true. I just do not see where they benefit from all this.Why waste the time and effort it takes to falsify reports and lie, it would be time saving to just be honest. The kids could have lived with us, not been on welfare, taking very well of but they would rather bend over backwards to clear his background records and take chance that he won’t go to jail again? I feel like I am on a different planet.
Linda Martin says
What an ignorant judge – to say that whatever is in the report is true… apparently he doesn’t know that many caseworkers place false statements in their reports?
HURT MOTHER says
Hello Please Help Me Someone!!!
I am an emotional mess right now. I grew up in the system due to me being abused by my father and was placed in foster care. I then had two girls while i was in the system and me being a minor the were automatically placed into the system. Both of my children were placed and adopted but there was nothing I could not due I was a victim myself and they felt i was unable to be a parent. This happed almost 20 years ago. The adoption was closed and all these years all I could due is pray that they were alive and i would be albe to see them again. Well guess what they contacted me thew facebook and found me it was the happiest day of my life but also the saddest. The adoptive parents were wealthy (father a football player at the time for 49ers) and mother a house mom. They basically turned their back on my kids. My daughter ended up pregnant and they threw her out on the streets. she had a son who was my grandson that i never met while she was on the streets and he passed away. my youngest was let on her own ended up trying to survive for herself and is now in jail for 7 years. My other daugher called me crying becasue she is now gay and the adoptive parents have dissowned her and she now has nobody. how can cps let this happen. they take my children and now their lives are screwed up and they have just be left for dead. i currenly have 2 other children that i have raised and are perferctly fine. i need to do something they robbed me and my kids of our lives together. some one please help
Linda Martin says
Hurt Mother, I don’t know what you think we can do to help. I am just happy the girls found you and are willing and wanting to communicate with you. Maybe they should see attorneys to see if they can still sue CPS for what happened to them. I hope they are able to stay in touch with you and create better lives for themselves. Sounds like you’ve all had a rough time!
Linda Martin says
Confidential to Sonya… sorry I can’t post what you wrote because there were too many names and revealing details. Please guard your family privacy on the internet. Caseworkers use the search engines to find things to hold against you!
As for helping your family, I regret to say I cannot directly help anyone as I’m not a lawyer and don’t have clients or cases … I can only suggest that you read the site for ideas on ways to work on your case. Once CPS takes children from non-parent relatives it is hard to get them back. The best bet is for the mother or father to clean up their lives, complete their court-ordered service plans, and try to regain custody.
It could be that your caseworkers knows a family that wants to adopt the children, and that’s why lies are being told. I have no way of knowing if that’s true in this case, but personally, I’d suspect that something’s going on behind the scenes that you can’t be aware of.
So sorry for the trauma and distress of your family.
LaTonya says
Federal Court Lady, and pray hard for your win, I dont know anything about your case but do not trust DCYFS/CPS they are not your friend they lie and they abuse children fight, stop talking and fight. You cannot fight ProSe because technically your not a lawyer but, you can get one it is not hard not in the county take it to a federal judge, and by all means pray for the parents becuase no matter, unfortunately some parents hang ups can be children still love their parents. But, God really loves us all. Okay, including the lying caseworker, but I must say many of them bastard are going to jail/prison are hell, yes they are karma is a shut my mouth
Alisha says
Washoe County DSS took my son into custody on April 22, 2014. I opened a case voluntarily in Dec. 2013 for the sole purpose of getting my son into the VOA Family Shelter in Reno. My son is 5 and has a diagnosis of Autism. At the shelter, I was harassed by staff members and repeatedly threatened with having my child “placed” if I left my child in the care of his father. My husband and I have no criminal history, no prior caps involvement, and no reports of domestic violence whatsoever. Our parental rights have not been revoked by a judge, but we have no say about anything involving our son. The foster mom did not send him to school for the first 6 days that he was in her care. He did not return to school until I personally arranged transportation with CIT. WCDSS allowed my child to travel out of state with the foster mom, and did not even care to inform me. My son told me about the trip on our visit the following week. When we questioned the supervisor, she acted like it was none of our business. WCDSS insists that the foster mom sit in on visits. My child is scared. He has special needs. I have constant panic attacks that literally make me feel like I’m dying. They will use this against me.I am completely helpless. There is nothing I can do. They lie in court. They do as they wish. I want to give u. If they want my child, they will keep him. Nothing I say or do will change that. I suspect that his disability and his monthly SSD check is why they want him. He has marks on him. I cannot protect him. I can’t live with that. I feel like a failure. There is no help. Even the judge knows they are lying but he has no jurisdiction on certain matters. I am sad and broken. My child has no one to love him.
Sassydream3 says
Hi all,
OK this will be a little long so im sorry already. 5 years ago cps was removed because of abused caused by my husband at the time. They wouldn’t give the kids to me. That case was closed. We moved to AZ and got divorced. Ever since then my ex husband calls on me for everything i have always been able to make them leave my 3 kids and i alone. well earlier this year i saw my ex husband hurt one of my children and i called cps caused i was advised by the police to do so. Cps charged me with failure to protect, but it got dropped again . in June children got in a fight i broke it up one of my children was hurt i took him to the hospital. Everything was fine i thought i went on my way about 1 week later the only day my has been messy since Feb. they showed up, i didn’t have as much food cause haven’t receive my food stamps, however had enough to get to the day i did get my stamps. they left came back 3 days later house was clean , food , and all they told me they were still taking my kids. I asked my worker why she said cause you had a case just close but i didn’t my ex did. She spoke with my kids, my children told them my mom never hurts us we are safe, happy an loved, and the worker told them we are not questioning her love for you. since then i have been charged with neglect cause they are saying my kids were filthy but they weren’t lack of food, messy house, and abuse for lack of supervision. they kids lawyer even has told cps you don’t have enough against the mother, you should dropped this and return her kids to her. they have refused. the worker has started she will removed my rights to my kids. they accused me of being SMI i didn’t even know that was until 1 week ago serious mental ill which im not my mental health doctor has never said that ever. i have witness to proved what kind of mom i am but cps worker keeps saying it. my lawyer says she thinks we can win but im really scared to lose my children. I have everyone on my side but cps, and ex husband. One of my child has info her foster mother slap her in the face she told cps and they told her we are not going to talk about this in front of your mom. my youngest was having an asthma attack in fact the weren’t giving my younger two kids their meds. they are willing to place my children with my ex family which my children have already told them were being hurt by their grandparents, kids lawyer said he will fight but it not the point it happening soon unless my kids come home and cps said that isn’t going to happen. Do you think after this over do i have a case against cps? my oldest is in a nice home but i want to keep my kids i don’t want them raised by anyone else. thank you for reading sorry it is so long please help if you can…
CASONIA says
Dear Woman out there, My heart goes out to you but what every woman needs to do is have more children and this is the reason I am pushing this…Maybe if they get too many children born…Down the road we can help them run out the money that is in there budget and there fore we can run them into the ground money wise and if that happends sooner or later they are going to stop and leave you alone and allow you to be a parent.
CASONIA says
How do we get to have children of are own to raise…Attention all woman out there have more children and do what you want? Don’t allow this Doctors to invade your personal life and most of all keep your under cloths on and do not allow them to visit down stairs until you give birth? This Doctors hurt you down stairs to make it painful and that is to cause you to bleed and rip your insides and cause you pain and tenderness downstair and they are only doing this to poor people and also when they start bugging you about what meds you are taking as far as mental health…simply tell them it is none of there concern…because mental medication causes Autiem and creates retarded children and there for cps has a job for the next 18 years.
CASONIA says
C.P.S. Has the power to break up family and create drama and the trouble makers get protected and are never on the stand and that means something has to change and people have to protect themselves from cps some kind of way but how do you get away from seasonal kidnappers and how do we protect are future children.
LaTonya says
You either so them, are find their enemies everyone has one start taken pictures posting them they do not like their pictures taken, many of these evil person are practicing witchcraft many go to prison each year just got to take em to federal court
CASONIA says
I have lost everything and have no one to love and I have hate in my heart for cps that is real deep but my best friend says to forgive and even though people hurt you and create chaos in your life…Allow the lord to deal with them down the road and we are on this earth to suffer and go throw drama but we should always look toward are inner light and know that we are telling the truth and the truth will set us free and sooner or later some one has break..cps breaks every one because they have power.
CASONIA says
This people will smile in your face and stab you in the back with creating problems and so the case can keep going and there little 6 month plan can keep going on and on and on for years and this pigs aways breech there own contract while smileing in your face.
CASONIA says
The Whole system is a joke and they are there to kill time and push pills and mental health down your throat and at the same time stick it to the middle class and bring them down to being poor and without as well and this doctors already know they are creating children with delays and they keep doing it for research reasons.
CASONIA says
Don’t talk to this people without vidio tapeing the converstion and never let them in your house? Because they always have something negative to say and never sign anything and don’t trust your lawyer..They are liers who are ready to stab you in the back the moment you turn away.
Linda Martin says
Casonia… there are some good lawyers around. Unfortunately, most of them aren’t working as court appointed attorneys for CPS cases, which in terms of lawyer salaries, is fairly low-pay.
I like your spiritual beliefs.
To protect your future children… get a good income going then move to another country if you’ve already had a TPR. Get a decent income, get an education if you need that first. Pick yourself up and make a huge success of your life. Then you’ll have the ability to move someplace where you can safely have children again.
Charles says
I’m in Pittsburg, KS and my two children were taken by TFI. They had a court order to take them but had no proof of any kind of wrong doing because there is none. All evidence shows that they were properly taken care of. Their reason for starting a case with us was that my son was not being fed, and my fiancé was not getting prenatal care for our son who at the time was unborn. If they would have contacted the hospitals they would have seen that she was getting prenatal care, and would have found out that my oldest son was said to be the weight he was supposed to be by the nurses in quick care. On top of it all after my second child was born, my fiancé was breast feeding him. Then TFI came and took them both. This just happened yesterday. Does it sound like we have an opportunity for a law suit?
Linda Martin says
Charles, you will have to ask your lawyer if you could sue. Usually lawyers want to focus on the child welfare case and let you pursue a lawsuit after the case is closed. It sounds like you’ll need to verify all medical treatments. Collect this evidence and take it to your lawyer, who may be able to use it in court.
LaTonya says
Yes!!! in Federal Court, this is a 2012 posting so I am probably too late, the case was never about you are your wife, it is about the $167,00 in grants the county get for stealing our children, I want you to know that you can still sue you have within two years but you can always appeal in he U S Court of Appeals after, permanent custody, you have two years to sue for monetary damages in federal, plus being that your children were taken they go for higher revenue. Each year a county has to steal so many children into custody, and remove them this is going on around the country from what hearsays “Warren Buffet has something to do with this” dont qoute me.
Mishelle says
I am so so sorry; know just how deep your pain goes & obviously will never go away, beings they’re our babies, but it gets little better considering circumstance; never easier though. The pain staking tearful nights will ease with instances of them instead of every night; pls keep your head high & hang in there, cos somehow/someway, we will see our first love/babies again :'( #staystrong
christine says
I have MS and my 2 special needs children/autism were taken from me even though the judge threw out every thing except the concern about my health raising such high needs children at trial. I have been a single parent for 7 years, DHS was called in as effort to get me help by another agency. DHS continues to circulate their initial concerns that judge threw out. Where is the parents due process at a simular measure when DHS generates reports and we have so little feedback, expression?. It’s been over 200 days without my kids!. Reasonable means have not been met.
Linda Martin says
Christine, do everything on your court ordered service plan and take documentation that you’ve completed services to your lawyer – he may be able to use that in court.
kRYSTAL says
cps WAS CALLED ON ME BECAUSE I WENT TO JAIL THE CPS CASEWORKER CAME TO MY HOUSE 1 TIME TO INTERVIEW ME AND MY 4 CHILDREN. SHE MISSED 2 APPOINTMENTS WITH MY HUSBAND TO INTERVIEW HIM AND HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS. WHAT DO I DO??
ray says
We are grandparents who won visitation of our 2 grandchildren. After our 2nd visit we returned the children to their mother who called us a 1/2 hour later and told us that our dog had bitten our grandson. She immediately took them to hospital, CPS found us guilty of medical negligence to a minor despite the fact that the emergency room medical report stated that the wounds were abrasions and not from that day as scabbing was evident. We tried to tell CPS that there was a medical report and even that the attending nurse had called us that night and told us it was not a dog bite but CPS ignored all this and went only by a picture my daughter showed them to find complaint indicated on “some credible evidence”. My daughter and her boyfriend knowingly lied to CPS and CPS did a hatchet job investigating the case including ignoring the CPS report from the caseworker in my county that visited our home and found the dog docile. We are currently waiting for a court date to reverse indicated finding, then we will be looking to sue CPS for losing visitation, attorneys fees and the suffering we have endured. Any advice or help would be appreciated.
Joanne says
This was awesome to find I can now try and sue CPS because of they have done to me and my children. I had twins 4 yrs ago and was going through post par-tom depression so they took them even my eldest even though my eldest had lived with me 24/7 for 5yrs of his life at that point. I did what I thought was right at the time and let the paternal grandmother on fathers side have guardianship. They are now 4 and were recently taken from them for abuse towards the boys. During the 3 yrs the paternal grandmother had them she would not allow me to see them or anything. If I had been smart after I got better I should have taken her back to court. Well the CPS workers call me after finding my number in old case files I guess and tell me whats going on. So I immediately go in for a meeting. Then court then all this other stuff and finally got some visits with my boys. And well now they say they don’t have substantiated evidence of abuse against my boys even thought they took them and had them in foster care for almost a month Oh yes and had a doctor look at them and say it was abuse bad abuse at that. Anyhow they closed the case so now I’m back to not being allowed to see them and they are back with the abusive family. My eldest is taken this very hard. I wanna sue the state for mental injuries towards me and my kids and for putting them back in danger and for basically taking away all my rights towards them as their parent even though it’s not in paper they still have done it by doing what they have done. Also like to sue the judge for not defending my rights like they are legally bond to do. Anyhow thanks for having this website very helpful hopefully.
abby says
I dealt with the state of vermont over 18 years ago I was given a court appointed attorney who didn’t stay on top of the case my daughter was 5 weeks old when cps got involved I almost died during delivery & kept taking her to the hospital b/c I was concerned about her health the drs kept sending me home. Needless to say cps took my child I fought in court for 2 yrs before my rights were terminated they refused to place my child with my parents who had raised 7 children of there own. I recently just found out my daughter passed away b/c I searched her online no one in my family had been notified & my parents were granted monthly visits but the foster parents moved out of state as soon as the adoption was finalized I was supposed to receive yearly pictures & never did cps lied in court did everything the could to keep me from seeing my child they even covered up when the foster father lost his job & was arrested for stealing. After all these years & raising 3 wonderful boys I’m in a postition where I can finally deal with what was done to me is there anyway I can still try to sue them for all the wrong they did to myself & my family
Linda Martin says
Abby, I am so sorry your daughter was taken away and passed away so young. I don’t know if it is too late to sue; only a lawyer local to you could tell you if you might have a case or if the statute of limitations has tolled. Make some calls and see if you can find a lawyer who will give you a free consultation.
jan says
CPS took custody of my daughters two little girls with no paper work &she was not brought back to her hearing because she was incarsurated.THANK YOU.
Stephanie says
My neice and her husband have been fighting cps since last Aug. Their older daughter was at camp, the teenage counselor was talking to all the girls about sexual abuse, the daughter supposedly told the girl her dad touched her when she was 4, now even after a confession from the daughter that she lied, and doctors saying she hasn’t been messed with and a phyciatrist has seen her and said that she believes nothing has ever occured, they are still putting them through the ringer, they have done every single thing asked of them. The county atty that had been on the case was removed from office by the county and a new one put in and that one says that they “Hope” they can fix this, it’s been ridiculous, we know they haven’t even done the investigation properly after getting a copy of how cps procedure in this state is supposed to be done
misty says
i have my rights violated bc of cps bc i have a learning disability and bc i was in placement when i was a child
Linda Martin says
Misty…
You have my sympathy. CPS is hard to fight… especially with learning disabilities. But I am keeping the faith that you can somehow come out victorious, and your child be saved.
I don’t know what your state regulations say… but they may contain some kind of clause against discriminating against people with disabilities. Here’s what I found in Texas CPS Regulations:
nick says
I would like to sue my cps agents in omaha nebraska. The way they go about their investigation seems more like harassment and intimidation to incriminate myself I’ve never been a violent person or had dometic violence isssues but the tried to convince my girlfriend to leave me because I am violent and will hurt her. What should I do here? I have a lawyer and am going for custody of my daughter because she was arrested on paper for child abuse
Linda Martin says
Hi Nick… good luck with your litigation against CPS! I think you’re doing the right thing, but to get into a battle between parents using CPS as a sounding board could be dangerous. They will collect negative information about both of you and use it against both, possibly putting your child into foster care (if she isn’t there already) or adopting her out. See my page about Child Custody Battles and CPS. Sometimes it is best to work out parenting issues with the other parent, if that’s possible.
joel Isaiah saenz says
I had a case with cps that started back in 2007 with my first daughter. my daughter was taken away from me when she was 9 months for false accusations and made up lies that weren’t even true. i found out who told cps all these lies about me. It was my father in law. im married to his daughter. he also called the cops against me saying lies. i need some help i haven’t seen my kids for 2 years they took all 3 of my kids away. i did everything cps wanted me to do in order for me to get my kids back, i relied in the system but my in law family keep on making up lies against me. cps wouldn’t believe anything i told them, and my public attorney was saying its 5 people against you who should i believed. he would believe also i word i was saying. i missed my kids so much. i don’t get to see them. The last court day i had was 2011 on January. i need help
Linda Martin says
Joel, have you talked to any constitutional rights attorneys in your area?
william says
Also, can a habeus corpus get the kids back to us if we can prove constitutional violations? What is the history of writs of habeus in this type of case? Please and thank you so much for any and all info and help.
william says
Our kids were taken Feb 8 without warrant, and without any verbal or written safety order(whatever that is). After a police visit due to noise complaint, our case was opened when police suspected me of drug use while me and mom were both home with kids. I passed psych eval and urine, blood and hair drug tests that same day. Have taken another clean urine and hair drug test. CPS claims that I was not supposed to be left alone w kids because of drug use although I tested absolutely negative on every test. Also, CPS was given copies of my medical records from a psych clinic without my consent and before even letting my girlfriend(mom) or I know they were going to start an investigation. Please help, I feel like people I tell this too think I am lying because they think nobody would act like this – especially the gov’t. Help me please, past legal and personal history is now surmounting. As parents, we have been next to perfect – this is unbearable. thanks.
April says
I would like to sue cps due to they are the ones neglecting my daughter and I need to do something about but don’t know how to get it going please help me!!!
Linda Martin says
April, you can get some ideas on how to proceed with a case against CPS from the advocates on our message board.
Lorin says
I was notified on Thursday that my 11 year old son was interviewed by CPS for over an hour and a half at school. I heard this from my ex-husband. If you can imagine I was extremely upset. Why would he know and not me? So I called and spoke with the case worker. She informed me that the original case worker quit and the case was given to her. She stated she did not have the time to call me. She interviewed my daughter on Monday as well as my ex husband. Now I have not heard anything from her but my children told me tonight that I will need to take parenting classes and a psyciatric evaluation. Once again how do my children know these things? Please keep in mind I have not even been informed. What can I do?
Linda Martin says
Lorin, if they don’t take your children or take you to court you don’t have to do anything. It would be a great idea to get an attorney right away. Having an attorney is the best way to keep a CPS case from starting. If the caseworker thought there was serious child abuse going on the children would not be sent home. You can get more feedback on your case in our message board.
Generally, if a case goes to court, the judge orders parenting classes and the psychiatric evaluation… for both parents, not just one.
Alicia says
I need help and I need it quick I have been fighting to get custody of my cousion since October 2011 I went to cps and asked for a home study and to have my finger prints done they just keep blowing me off so I file a tem for custody and I didn’t file the pros cuter so they threw my forms out but before that happen the judge did make them give me a home study after passing my finger prints and home study they still made me follow up with the court instead of placing him in are home so I got a lawyer and we went to court only to have the judge give them pc and and say he doesn’t want to choice between me the biolog family member and the foster parents whom had him from birth and formed a bond I just feel I haven’t been done fare he is are family and belongs with us what else can I do PLEASE Help in ohio
Linda Martin says
Alicia, if the judge didn’t make a decision between you and the foster family, then you might be able to request an administrative hearing from the state department of social services. Read your state’s social services regulations regarding kinship care rights. Sounds like you have a case and it should be up to the state to make sure the counties are following state regulations.
If the judge made a ruling against you then the administrative hearing isn’t likely to be helpful. They will say it isn’t up to them to decide, because the judge already did.
debbie says
cps took our daughter, made MANY false accusations and ended up placing her with a CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER!!!!! any remedies? lawsuit? etc.?
Shary says
In 2007 I moved out of the state where i had lived with my ex-boyfriend to my home state. I had 16 police reports over a 3 month period in which my ex had harrassed me. The local police who were his friends did nothing and the reports never made it to the prosecuting attorneys office. He went after custody of our daughter and won by lying and paying the neighbor lady and her daughter who he has had sexual relations with to lie in court. Since then he has had all parental rights to another daughter terminated by the same court for child abuse. My daughter told our family counselor and a MI cps appointed medical doctor that her father fondled her but IN cps put her back in his home. My daughter needs help. Please.
keisha says
Well I have five kids that were taken by cps and I really feel that they screwed me because the things that they said were not true. Cps made false statements about me. The things that were said about me was that I was using drugs and i promise to god I wasn’t I passed all if my drug tests up until my last court date when it was time for them to return my kids to me. They tried to intimidate me by saying the only way I get my kids back was if I went into rehab. At first I said to myself I’m not on drugs so I’m not gone let them do this to me I’m not on drugs then I thought about my kids and said ok. When I called to get into rehab they asked when the last time I did drugs my pride wouldnt let me tell a lie and say I was in drugs so I hung up.I then called the child advocate which was on my case and she said to me tell them that you did drugs 2 days ago which it was a lie. I did what she said and they gave me a date when to come in. When it was time to go I had all kind of mixed emotions going through my head, saying why am I’m letting cps trick me into going to rehab when i know I don’t do drugs.so when the people at the rehab place gave me an drug assessment I told him the truth when he asked the last time i did drugs. I even told him that the child advocate told me to lie and say i was using drugs in order to get accepted in rehab. When i said to the man what happened he replied I can’t let you into rehab if you not doing drugs.I then told him that cps said if i didn’t do this that i wasn’t gone be able to get my kids back. And he then said he would speak up for me if i needed him too. After that i then turned to the child advocate which was there with me and said they don’t want to accept me cause I told him the truth that i don’t use drugs.she just looked at me and well let’s go. It’s was then reported to me cps worker that i didn’t get into rehab and cps insisted that i get into a drug program. My story goes deeper than that. I’m so devastated right now cause i don’t know who to turn to about this matter because people are scared to go against the state. Well I’m not cause they wrongly accused me and i have a case I know u do. I just need someone behind me in this I refuse to let the state and cps get away with this i love my kids and i would go to the president for them.I just wish I can take a lie detective tests or something to prove I’m innocent. And this case was in Houston and I’m from new Orleans another reason why I believe things went the way they did. Another thing they refused to let my kids go to family members. And what’s kills is that i complied and completed everything cps had me doing so i don’t understand why they did this to me and my kids.but what I do understand is that cps is evil and they screwed me in the most hurtful way i want them to pay for this
Mare says
UNDER CIVIL RIGHTS ACT,U.S.C. § 1983
“The claim and exercise of a Constitutional Right cannot be converted into
a
crime.”
Miller v. U.S. Source: 230 F 2d 486, 489
Children Rights and Responsibilities of Parents
Parents have a right to direct the care, control, and upbringing of their
children for as long as they are minors. This gives them the power to make
various decisions on behalf of the child, including where to live, what
school
to attend, what religion to follow, and what medical treatment to obtain…
casey says
My kids were taken 5 years ago & my daughter finally told me she & her younger sister were touched! Can I still sue now???
Linda Martin says
Casey, probably not – but your children can still sue until two years after they turn 18. Consult a personal injury attorney in your area for more precise information, as every state has different laws.
casey says
My kids were talking 5 years ago for being late on shots..they took my 3 kids & in foster care my kids were molested one kid had broken foot & stitches in head! How is that better than being late on shots?
Dionne Billy says
Seeking an attorney outside of Dallas County to file suit against CPS for false allegations of my kids being removed from my home. We have lived in Dallas for six years and are still currently residents of Dallas County. We also believe that CPS and other government entities are involved and are making it seem that we are not lived in Dallas or have moved out of the state of Texas. We have proof that personal and private medical information was changed and false allegations of mental illness was used to remove my daughter from our home. We have proof and need aggressive representation ASAP.
lee says
I came to this site trying to find if there is any precadence of children who were falsly taken. ageing out of system and sueing cps for ruining their lives. to stop any assumptions. dad remodeling kitchen took out all cabinets and counters. then got his usuall lasy attitude and refused to put the new ones in. or fix a weak floor board. neighbor kids told mom. mom called cps. ???? yup kids were taken over kitchen remodel. but thats not what they said in court of course.they lied about EVERYTHING. But my question, as their mother went through all the court appointed attourneys she was allowed and didnt have the resourses to hire more. have any foster children ever, as adults, sued cps for destroying their lives and families. the oldest boy will age out very soon. and as soon as we get him off the drugs the state has used to subdue him all these years I would like to see him sue.
Linda Martin says
Lee, yes, children can sue CPS so long as it is done before the statue of limitations tolls. Usually that’s within two years after turning 18. Consult a local attorney for accurate information for your state and region.
kionnia says
My son daycare reported to CPS that my sracthes on his face. Which me and my mom explained to the provider that him and my little sister which is four years old and he’s three years of age were fighting over a toy. We removed them from each other and clipped her nails and talk to her. Cps took my son from school trying to say I go around scratching my child and it’s Friday and can’t do anything till Monday because there off. Iam very upset they have no court order and iam nor a unfit mom at all. They don’t believe were dey came from is true. I wnt to Sue them for damaging my baby mind and iam stressing because iam pregnant and due any day. Now I HAV to deal with this.
gramak says
In texas can cps question a 3 year old without parents presen?. A little girl (another 3 year old) made accusasations of being sexualy molested by another 3 year old boy. then she changed her story and said it was a very tall man. they still want to question the 3 year old boy though.
mommyof9 says
hello, thank you all for so much information! I’m not sure what my rights are or if I even have any. At the request of my attorney I signed my rights over (Michigan) being told that I could fight for my kids at a later date (i wrote my family court judge about this and he later became my criminal case judge), my son had murdered his sister while I was away from home and I was in criminal court while fighting for my kids. I was told that once my criminal case was over and I got out of prison (I never went to prison thanks to my awesome prosecutor and judge) but I had already signed over my rights only to learn later that it meant my kids were gone forever. Two of my son have been raped (one at Whaley House in Michigan and the other one while with a family member and the guy is now in prison for it) . I’ve never harmed or hurt my kids. However a few yrs leading up to my daughters death my evil ex and his wife (her sister just adopted my daughter dispite tesing positive for marijuana and being told she can never adopt another child ever again) would call protective services on me often and although they would come in and investigate they never found anything so when I made the mistake of leaving my home (my next door neighbor was supposed to have been there) and my daughter died at the hands of her then 8 yr old brother all of Michigan was against me because it looked as if I was a true monster despite none of my kids had ever been hurt, had bruises or any of this. I was in the Army at the time and had not too long ago gotten home from Okinawa Japan with my unit and was working to go active duty when this all happened and I was not thinking. I had awesome attorneys for my criminal case but didnt know to get a paid attorney for my family court case because I figured my attorney knew what he was talking about when he told me to sign over my kids and fight for them later. It’s been 8 years and my kids are catching hell. My son was sent to Nebraska and he hasn’t been able to see or visit family for 3 yrs and recently he snapped and ran away and he’s out there somewhere in Nebraska and we have no clue where. His casewrokers in MI are horrific, attorney is nothelping him, when people who try to help him get close they change everything and I’m being told I can’t do anything my rights have been terminated. My parents or can’t see my kids and they aren’t allowed to go to any family members despite my mother adopted countless kids from Flint MI and took awesome care of them. Not many foster kids are sent to private schools and things of that nature. I’m not sure what to do and I’m afraid that my son will snap or worse I will. I’m in Florida now after having remarried (my husband is law enforcement 20+ yrs) and we’ve caught hell down here and CPS in Michigan has even called down here (florida) to inform CPS here that I was a baby killer and they opened a case but due to my husband it was closed before it even began. I was told that CPS is a money making business and I am assuming that this is right because they went as far as trying to take my kids from me while I was carrying them and living in Florida. I need help and I know I messed up but is this right??? I’m not being sarcastic I have just been told so many times to deal with it that I’m thinking perhaps nothing can be done.
diane says
have a son with high IQ & low social skills which is apparently common but came many challenges, including violence from him. dss labelled me abusive but don’t know how. no therapists agreed i did anything wrong. name still being dragged around as bad mother years later and son agrees to manipulation toward the system and sent a letter to the state. don’t know how to fight this. any help out there? he’s now grown and feels so bad. 10 years later now being used to keep a grandchild away from me after loving him for 7 years now. never abusive.
michell says
back in 2005 my youngest daughter was 2mo and cps came knocking on my door stoped me from taking my child to her well child check up. then a month later forced their way in to my apartment while my husband was the only one home and procedeed to threatin him and they wrote in the report that he was violent and that i was neglecting my daughter by not taking her to her appts and took her from me by lying saying that we were going to the jail to talk but before my husban and father could get there they had her in another car and was gone we went to court and they said that i had a drug problem because i was taking vicodin but did not bother to check the perscription and i was told i had 2 choices 1 adoption out of state or third party custody to my step grandmother so i chose 3rd party custody and found out later that it was her that called cps on me. know she is letting her son who molested me when i was 3yrs old to live at the house with them and take them places and cps wont do anything for me because the charges on him where droped because i was to afraid to tell the judge what happend and was to young to talk…… now the cps case is over and my step grandmother wont let me have my children back she says that they are hers
Jenny says
OMG I just assumed that I would in just be at the hands of fate considering the arrival of DCF the day I had spent the most of 2 days not being able to even feel like moving, Leaving unfortunate circumstance of an unkept home, needing a cleaning that I just failed to do prior to CPT asking to come inside to discuss some accusations of drug use,pimping out my 13 yr old,for money & drugs.& involvement of sex conduct being present w my approval.My yard refered to as Garbage Dump.If u will allow a moment of info..(My daughter is 15 & is my angel because of circumstance of never being able to find a friendship due to an intellectual disability & our fight to defend the out right hurt of her because of her lack of understanding or the ability of laughing for reasons only she possessed & in ability to control the outburst that many condemned her just acting out of defience or hate.(also coming to be a mama again) & spending countless time & testing to prove the gift of a new life without the abuse these children suffered from their maternal family. They have overcome the very memory of the suicide of the bio mom with them left alone with her after dying for a 40-45 hrs of her dead body present. I will not pass judgement but would like to allow the total transformation of a Diagnoses of autism mute with no chance of ever getting past that to a miracle of ADHD & anxiety issue that was also diagnosed after the love & support my husband & I instillled in these boys that came to us with no other reasoning of fear of being beat. We have just been hell bent on the promise that we would never leave or abandon them & it proved to be a situation of trust.)
Ultimately the day DCF came I invited her in as I was familiar with the entire process of a assumption of whatever was the latest in a long line of never having a case against me, (but the placement of children by DCF & court order for out of control without the abiity to even continue the juvenile visits. He attended school with my want to help ihim. He as well has 2 IEPs that doesnt appear to belong to his record there was that much change in him.) I offer no excuse of the yard needing to be raked I do not deny the need of a deeper clean of my home that day. But as soon as I heard drug use I volenteered testing or whatever to prove once again the abilitty to prove wrong the need for DCF involvement. She was perfectly pleasant during her questioning she offered an approximate time limit to allow closing of Investigation. She spoke to my children & mentioned a walk through of the home. OMG I immediately became not scared but embarrassed over being not in a perfect orfer. I told her to please allow just till the next morning so I could atleast attempt to straiten the not what I consered trash but still a insult to my abiilities & embarrassment of being seen. She then looked at me with a EWW appearance & said well, by lasw u have n choice in what I can do. It is DCF was allowed to do. Well I cannot deny insult of a snaughty thought to my home. So I told her that law also stated a need for Law enforcement & why did she just get the Officers there to allow her to take total disregard to a home that she visits not owns. Beofre arrival of the call for assistance. She was given the go ahead just to allow the situation to become over. She walked through, after never speaking to me or denying the complete disregad to how the officer claimed we were obvious drug involved because of a box of nasal decomp that had 5 pills left from the purchase of obvious need to the fact of our involvent with a med that was a main ingrediant to making Meth. I basically thought he was just going over board & told him to go to his car & get the test kit for what he claimed were present. He then said I had alot of knowledge of a drug that would not have been there without my abuse of. I basically defended my home & children wth obvious disregard his claim of FACT. & my denial being just amother effect of substance activity. Ultimately he claimed his tax dollars paid my bills, by my SSI of a disability. Basically the words of request for a full search of the premises. I tolld them to have at it I had nothing to hide. Upon completely the search she informed me of sheltering my kids due to a knife on the floor in my bedroom & pocket knives found in a sock drawer. that was a accessable area to my children & considered neglect in not locking them up. They also Found the empty bottles of adderall that was in my room that I had refused to give my children unless it became a need of control. I flushed several pills due to the scarring my daughter was inflicting on her own face & leaving blood & sores to the inability to stop. I was told it was a fact I had either sold or consumed the meds. & still no difference upon passing drug screening not 1 but 2 before she even left because of an unbelief of mistake. Any way We arrived for court & was again shocked by the finding of neglect or abuse to be pesent. I still hold no understanding of why it is considered fact if the DCF says something & I am only allowed to offer whatever at the accusations being a fact. We immediately agreed to whatever to get my children back. I rrecently met the caseworker & asked what the accusation was of. She said she did not know. But just go along with the process, proven myselff remedied upon their involvement, She also told me I would not be getting my kids that soon but she was filing for custody on the next court date. I asked why, She did not know. there are outlandish tale of my homes hazzardous to disrepair that can be proven to be a lie with just a second glance at the statements of DCF She would not so muuch as see what I was talking about. She just said to allow remedy of my abusive behavior being harmful to my children. I swear I ask for nothing more than a correction to lies of my homes repair or even the ability to come close to description by this woman. I have seemed to slip into an impossible to believe situation of what I could prove was false yet evals of me & mine intended was no way a check of the statements, by not agreeing with me but just check it and compare her statements to what she herself could attest to or agree with I was told the neg drug screens meant nothing they had ways of knowing of abuse of drugs with a childhood trauma & proved to be a fact of abuse caused a person to abuse. I am with everything I possess begging for advisse on where to turn in a tale of Nonexsistance to a life. this is just the most unbelievable occurence that I find hard to acept the reality to possibly even a belief in my own breakdown of my very life being torn at … PLEASE ANY ADVISE WOULD PROVE APPRECIATED FROM MYSELF & HUSBAND WITH BLESSINGS IN LIFE FOR ALLOWING JUST A MOMENT OF UR TIMEIN READING THIS… PLEASE I BEG FOR THE VERY SLIGHTEST OF A WORLD RIPPED DOWN.
Mommy Love says
email?
john j says
stand up dont let cps violate our constitutional rights any longer stand up call everyone in goverment and let them know how you feel …….tell them we are mad as hell and we will not take anymore
john j says
we as american need to stand togather and let these people know that we pay them with our tax dollars and we need to let our goverment know that we will no longer stand for there thinking they are above the law do we live in america hell in do know anymore ..the home of the brave the land of the free or shake in the lite of cps stand for no more
ryan says
i live near buffalo ny city of dunkirk. My two daughters were taken mainly on the issues of the mother and I fighting. Eventhough it was never done in the presence of the children. It has gone on years now and they finally made me sign my rights over to them as I cried. They told me I had two options go to jail for an undetermined amount of time seen fit by the court or sign the kids over? I have exhausted so much and I dont have the funds to fight i miss them so much we did everything for them they even gave them back at one point then came back in and took them again. Now there placed. Im distraught i miss them idk what to do i am disabled and this is so hard on me. There are no checks and balances in the cps system. In chautaqua county ny where i live the judge last year admitted wrongdoing in the paper ? The same legal team that took my children admitted wrongdoing in other cases? Doesnt that warrent an investigation by someone? There happy go lucky snatching up kids here? please help 716 224 2991. Im brasin contact me i want my kids home i want to sue them for every thing i have suffered. Unless this happened to you you have no idea. thank you
Linda Martin says
Confidential to Deborah: I didn’t post your comment because it contained personal information. I do not give referrals to attorneys at this site but we do have a list of juvenile court lawyers … you might find someone listed there who can help you.
Sylvia says
I’m persuing getting my 24 month old gr-son back. I was awarded kinship care. I went into the hospital for 4 days with pneumonia & he was put in Foster Care in Feb. Had to get an attorney who is assisting me to get him back. This was a 21 month old perfect child.
Since he’s been taken he stopped talking, eating, has diarrhea 6 times a day and pulls his hair out in patches and bald spots. I’m looking to sue. It will take years if ever to get him back to normal. Kids have breakdowns too and it”s evident that he has PTSD from the trauma!
Linda Martin says
Sylvia, have you tried requesting an administrative hearing from the state department of social services? It sounds like your kinship care rights are being violated if the grandson is in a foster home.
Lea says
Back in October of 2010 Cps took my kids illegally we never had any court date of any sort and when asked to provide legal documentation they couldn’t provide it after 3 long and agonizing months they gave my daughter back after I called my governor, the social worker that took her was fired a few days later , in January of 2011 I was placed into custody for a shoplifting charge which occured back in august of 2010 once again they took her again when I was released they wouldn’t give her back what can I do about the first incident when they violated my constitutional rights and took her illegally they know they screwed up and now I feel like they are punishing me for knowing my rights and going to my governor this had destroyed mine and my little girls spirit I would like to sue them for mental anguish and anything else I can please help… Broken hearted in Nevada
Linda Martin says
Lea, only a lawyer in your state could advise you on how to sue for the first incident. Usually the lawyers appointed to help you with a CPS case are not the right lawyers for suing, and you would have to find someone else, perhaps a lawyer that specializes in Constitutional Law.
Debra says
They have restraining order because the CPS think I am going to kidnap my granddaughters. And I lost all the managing conservator. Tabitha thought she didn’t have to pay childsupport. She has to pay fifty dollars a month.The father one of my granddaughter who is three her father owes six thousand dollars behind of childsupport. And the other one owe 250.And Tabitha owes 300.00 for behind on childsupport.
I miss my granddaughters so much. I didn’t see them on Christmas and Easter.
It hurts so badly .I have written to newspaper and magazine.I wrote to Texas governor and Office consumer Affair.Senator and Congressman and Texas representative be lied to by CPS.I want to be apart of sue the CPS.False accusation towards my husband believe in a woman who has been crying wolf for a long time.
Debra says
I am grandparent who was raising her granddaughter. CPS worker and my daughter Tabitha I didn’t know they started
the accusation.My husband molested our granddaughter. Tabitha was the one who claim all this and CPS the one who gave her the idea. I want to sue CPS .Because they made our life miserable with out our granddaughter. Because they had my husband and i see psychology and myself psychology. The judge believe my daughter due to she has attorney and I didn’t have attorney. You tellme is this justice.
Daniel says
I am just starting process after CPS has taken away my daughter. I am with hope of someday soon getting my daughter back from these monsters, but after reading the posts and other information online I am not as optimistic.
I had 75% custody am a good parent, and have went through a despicable toxic custody battle with a Russian Online bride. Considering doing “The Any Country Foreign Bride Thing?”. (DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!) Unless your a sadist!
***Conclusion*** If your going through a divorce custody battle or have any other concerns for a child DO NOT CALL THE POLICE, OR CPS under any circumstances!
Get legal advice, go to the courts and get a protection order, if applicable modify your parenting plan immediately. Be prepared to support concerns. That’s all! Sure I was told not to call or make reports but not told, what to do if I suspected abuse. (BAD MISTAKE)
I have not seen or talked to my 8 yr old daughter since 4-20-2011 when I dropped her off to school. It’s time to gather together and end this CPS monster.
Very sad CPS= Child Punishment Services
kelly moy says
I think we need to work together and organize as a group. Get your friends to write character letters, what they know about you, that you are a conscientious parent etc. It can be overwhelming. We need our voices heard and we will need to sue helping eachother. I am finally submitting complaints in the proper way. Complaints against Social Workers is the first step. Get the false CPS document in your hand to see, it took me 3 years to do this. Follow up with complaints. Make copies, organize documents, scan documents on your gmail account.
write to me
kelmoy at gmail.com
Deborah says
CPS stole my daughters @ages 10 & 14. 0ver 3 1/2 yrs ago. I was just made to sign surrender papers as to my now 13yr old she is happy and doesn’t want to be pulled from a life she has had for all this time. CPS never allowed me to see my children the entire time saying “it was up to them” who lets a 10 &14 decide. I am a pain management patient and need to be on narcotic medication. I don’t abuse it. CPS kept insisting because I was on pain meds I was incapable of taking care of my kids. At first I wasn’t working and have been on SSD since 04 due to the severity of pain. yet I was quite capable of caring for my girls. It was hard at times but I did it.. For the past year and a half I have been working part time as a domestic violence counselor. Even that wasn’t good enough. They have forced me into detox, drug treatment counseling etc trying to prove that I am a drug addict and have convinced my girls that that is what I am and that I refuse to do anything about it (even tho’ I attempted detox and suffered in such pain for two straight months I almost killed myself because my headaches were so bad they landed me in the hospital seveeral times and I was yelled at by the doctors for refusing to take pain medication. So I did end up going back on it because I could not function. So because of this and other things said to them they don’t want anything to do with me. My 17 yr old hates me. They won’t even accept B’day or Christmas gifts. This has torn me up for 3 1/2 years and now that I’ve had to surrender my rights I feel like I am no longer a parent and my heart is so crushed there are days I don’t think I will make it. I’ve missed my girls growing up because of them. They have lied, manipulation evaluations, gave me two lawyers who did absolutely nothing but make things worse for for the first 2 years. Then by the time I got a decent lawyer we were having the trial and she didn’t know the case. Even if you read her closing arguement and what the judge wrote they don’t even coincide or talk about anything the same. He – the judge makes no sense. I don’t know what to do. My Cps worker and one of the law guardians and the one particular atty the dept had are three people my atty said have been responsible for doing things like this to others before me. She said she came in on the case to late to do anything. Please help me before I lose it. I have no idea who to turn to besides God and He promised His glory would be shown in all of this. I’m not seeing it and when I had to sign those papers I was waiting for it but still nothing. I’ve felt betrayed but still the grief for the past 3 years has been so overwhelming. At times paralyzing. And since November then January when I had to sign its been crushing. There’s got to be a way to stop this. My girls were stolen and brainwashed. PAS they call it Parental Alienation Syndrome. Usually it happens with divoces. CPS is the worst offender. And it is a form of child abuse. One of the worst kinds. I need help with this.
Linda Martin says
Deborah, I can identify… I have a PAS daughter and even after all these years she will not talk to me, so I totally understand your grief. We created a new section of our message board a few months ago called “Recovery From CPS Trauma”. You’re welcome to register on the board and post your angst there as I’m sure many will identify with your sorrow. My PAS daughter was taken from me by her father when she was about seven, and now is 30 years of age. Her older sister established a relationship with me when she was 18, but the younger, never! So I do understand PAS and the pain it causes.
James Dossett says
We have an attorney who is researching our chances of successful litigation against DHS. Our Original case was lost in circuit court and Oregon Appellate court and the Oregon Supreme Court refused to hear it. Unfortunately we battled it out for over 17 months just trying to get my grandson back home. Now time is against us.We are hoping that because my grand children were 5 weeks old and 18 months when this started we can still sue them. Our attorney was the attorney in the Oregon case Camereta vs Greene (Mikel Miller)
jacquelin says
cps took two of my grandbabies and would not give me kinship guardianship. they made false accusations about me and i have the different cort documents where cps contridicted themselves and falsefied info. the worker that were involved should not have had anything to do with the case due to a conflic of intrest. one of the workers that came n took the first child was having an affair with my cousins husband and the acual case worker is the daughter in law of a woman that i had gotten repremanded for releasing private info about me while i had a stay in the hospital, she was my counselor. i requested these people be taken off the case but cps told me ther was no conflict of intrest. then cps interfered with my job by telling my director i was not allowed to take care of 4 patients that were involved with dhs because of conflict of intrest. it spirreled out of control after that. i couldnt hire a lawyer because i couldnt afford one. i need to speak to a lawyer that could possibly help me to prove cps falsefied documents about me there for causing my grand babies to get adoptd under false pretenses. help!!!!! grandparents deserve rights, afterall, we are thier family and no one loves them more than us. my blood is thier blood and my heart belong to my grandkids!
lisa says
I am trying to find a lawyer here in Louisiana . If any one know of one please let me know because I need to put a end to this before it goes to far . And I have lots of questions that I need to ask about things
sandra says
the orange county DCS took my kids because i miss 4 doctor apointments out of makeing it to like 150 of them, the social worker is twisting me and my husban words up in his reports makeing it look like we are crazy and a need of some mentel help they gave three of our kids back and is trying to build a case with the other three im lost now because they want us to admit we are the bad parents and monsters who they are putting in their court reports
jon says
my wife and i are going through the same process of false acusations. After two years they just rekidnapped my 4 and 6 year old daughters a second time because my wife and i wont go to more therapy and classes. my head is spinning from all of this. We did find an attny in San Diego that will sue san bernadino county. I havent worked a full time job in about 2 years, and my 14 year old fresh mouthed son………..well, he gets away scott free!////////I hope he enjoys foster care as he couldnt stand up and say the truth about the day i kicked him out. That social worker Rhonda Waring,,,,,,,,,,she’l get hers in court.
S. says
Good Afternoon, I would like to ask you if that happen in Yacca Vally, CA. We are going through the same patch right now and we would like to know if that got any where. Your answer would be very much appreciated, and Thank You very much!
Janet Gentry says
Debbie,
I have heard of attorney Brown who was supposed to sue OCS on behalf of a family whose two young sons were taken by OCS on false allegations and they kept them in the “system” for six months! Seems this is the “required” time for OCS to make their federal dollars on the lives of our families and children. I did contact attorney Brown but he did not want to take our case unless we engaged his services. I have not contacted attorney Brown since last year and do not know if the suit was ever brought nor what the outcome was since the children were returned after those six months. Perhaps what we should do is initiate a class action lawsuit. I will let you know about BR.
Debbie says
Have you heard of Brown & Duncan from Hammond, LA? I interviewd with Brett, he used to work for CASA. They claim to have experience with OCS and with Child Advocacy and know all the tricks, but state OCS is hard to fight. CASA wanted to keep my grandson in our home, but seems they were not able to fight the system. Send me an email if you find out a date or anyone willing to fight. I have tough case here and due to the buddy system it’s hard to find an Attorney. They are expensensive. Thanks for getting back with me.
Janet Gentry says
Debbie,
I do not have a date yet but will let you know if you wish. Louisiana attorneys do not seem to be able to “fight” the system because they do not want to “make the judge mad” or they are woefully incompetent to do so. I wish I knew of someone but I do not because I believe that if we had had a competent attorney we would not be in the position that we are in. I will be on the look-out though.
Debbie says
Janet do you have a date for the Baton Rouge, Louisiana legislative hearing? I am having a hard time finding an Attorney willing to fight the judical system. I feel I was set up by OCS and the Court System.
Kathleen says
I want to sue cps in my county for damages, I also would like to try and have the findings(minor emotional and minor neglet) overturned. we were not able to appeal at the time because we were in a sever custody dispute with my ex, and each had false criminal charges we were facing (now dismissed) we were already paying 3 different attorneys. couldnt afford this too. I am just heartbroken because cps promised to help us with “services” but didnt do anything, and even had hippa violations (shared info with my ex about statements made to a therapist from my other children myself and husband) which he used to gain temp custody. I have my daughter back…but how can I just let these people do this to us??? My rep is ruined and I lost a year with my daughter and spent about 40K on the custody case alone..help where do I start?.
michelle says
Any one in Louisiana? Having a hard time to find help!
Thanks, Michelle
Linda Martin says
Michelle, look in the phone book for “Constitutional Law” attorneys. Also go read cases at the federal courthouse – cases that have been filed against the Department of Social Services. Find out what attorneys filed them.
Lacey says
Linda my name is Lacey. I have a few questions regarding my case with cps.
Linda Jo Martin says
Lacey, you can get feedback on your case on our message board or Facebook group.
Janet Gentry says
Linda,
I may soon have the opportunity to speak in the legislative session here in Louisiana, in Baton Rouge and would like to hear from anyone in Louisiana who might wish to appear there with me as a “show of force”! I am a grandparent whose legal custody of our grandson was arbritarily “taken” from my husband and I via the juvenile court judge even though there was no abuse/neglect. I also would like to know what you, (or anyone) believes is the most crucial point in changing child protective practices. Please help me in any way that you can. Thanks.
Cindy says
I want to sue CPS in Los Angeles County. They were in favor of giving us our grandchildren. But, never did. They were too afraid of the Judge to make that actually happen. Our Attny filed an Appeal, it was denied based on unfactual lies.(Sept 2010) One Justice sent a five page scathing opinion as to why he did not agree with majority. And said “what an injustice was brought to our grandchildren and to his granparents”. Our precious grandchilren love us and we love and miss them soo very much. We are out raged to say the least. Who can you refer us to? We live in Northern Cal.
Andrea says
Have you had any luck getting your grandchildren? I’m trying to help my friend get her grandson back from CPS and we would appreciate any tips. Thank you.
Laurie M says
DCF is using past case that was closed and So taking a complaint which these people in my town befriended. My son that was eleven atvthe tome when my son turn ed reelection this people got this plan in there heads to find s way to take my son do they can get child support to keep there skate board business afloat. So they concocked this dramafied conclussion to brain wash my son that it wad dramatic and seriously a bad situation he was in and breed to find a way to get a out of a horricliving environment. He needed to stay away from home ad much as possible so they constantly kept him from me saying is it OK ryan stay over tonight Duane take him school in the morning so he don’t have to walk. Well you see he Gandhi’s wife were doing this to about three different Boys including
Linda Martin says
Laurie, (and everyone else) you’re welcome to register at our message board for feedback on your case. http://forum.fightcps.com
Dale says
What is the time limit on sueing in federal court? I have an action that went to the state supreme court that concluded in September 2007..Who do I sue? I did not have CPS, but a hearing officer, wise person, and a district judge…
Linda Martin says
Dale, I suspect the statute of limitations may have tolled in your case already. Usually the time limit is two years. You might want to consult an attorney to see if there’s any opportunity left. There may be extenuating circumstances. Many attorneys will give you a few minutes of their time if you’re interviewing them for possible services.
karleen says
I have an open case in california with my son Two weeks ago I was in court my social worker was recommending me get custody and the father get monitered visits and we had to re schedule for Jan 18th. In the meantime yesturday for no apparent reason I had to show up for a safety plan meeting. they gave me 2 options
send my son to father or they would detain him.
My son is schelduled to leave on Monday Dec 20th and he is wth me untl than. I have concerns because My son has mental issues, substance abuse and his father doesent have a plan in place. PLEASE HELP
kARLEEN
Jessica says
I have had false documents & accussasion & my children taken put into foster homes . and I was told no matter what I do that I wont end up with my kids no matter what because I reported the abuse & neglect on my three kids what papers do I start with
Linda Martin says
Jessica, start with writing your Legal Declaration and Objections and Corrections to the Report of the Social Worker. You can get feedback on your case at http://forum.fightcps.com
michigan girl says
I would like to comment to Erin’s question, too!
I was also told that you can’t take the CPS to court. The reason was: NO CASES against CPS in Federal court has been successful in Michigan. The attorneys do not even take a case like that because they know they won’t win. Michigan law says that CPS personnel are immune and that’s it.
The A.G in Michigan works for CPS, too, and they won’t answer directly to you. You have to have an attorney in Michigan to even get any answers.
Linda Martin says
Michigan girl, federal court doesn’t go by Michigan law even if the court is situated in that state. That’s why social workers CAN be sued in federal court.
Al says
We want to stop this before it gets worse. We are not interested in waiting for FCS to do “egregious” injury to our children, our family, or us, just because it makes it less difficult to sue. We don’t want damages; we don’t want to be damaged in the first place.
Maggiec says
Qualified immunity not absolute immunity.
Tom Kofoed says
What if they did a class action lawsuit for all the victims of CPS is there a time frame on these lawsuit?
Linda Martin says
Tom, I think there’s always a statute of limitations. The lawyer would need to choose the main clients for his class action lawsuit – people for whom the statute of limitations hasn’t tolled.
Linda Martin says
I remember back in 1989-90, writing a long civil rights complaint, and sending it to bureaucrats who were supposed to read it and protect my rights. They kept sending it back saying the county did nothing wrong. I had no legal advisor at the time, and didn’t know how to proceed. I didn’t know they refused to admit any wrongdoing because they would have been admitting liability. That was in the dark ages, before the internet!
I ended up publishing the whole thing in a weekly newspaper (they divided it into three parts and published one part each week) … and then dropped it because I was too busy taking care of the baby who had been returned to me, and her younger brother.
Because I didn’t sue, I always hope that others will. The more social workers that take the fall for the counties that hired them, the better. I’d like to see every prospective social worker be aware that they can be sued.
Leonard Henderson says
Wow. Linda, this looks like an excellent “How To” essay.
I can say that based on the last lawsuit we were involved in, the Plaintiff has a HUGE job to prove the case. You don’t just write down your imaginations and expect them to go far in court. You have to PROVE your assertions.
That’s why the Case Notebook is so vital, as well as carefully preserving every bit of evidence you have. NEVER send an Original anywhere! It WILL come up “missing”. Guaranteed.
Here in Oregon, the first thing I learned was- before suing CPS, I had to exhaust the Grievance process.
I did file my Grievance, and threw in every bit of evidence I had.
As a result, my case was retroactively shut down, and I got an apology from Oregon CPS. Which was disappointing, because I wanted to sue them back to the Stone Age.
I might have been able to sue anyway, but my health crashed instead, and by the time I felt well enough to consider suing them, the Statute of Limitation had run.
So I started AFRA instead- to help educate others how to deal with CPS instead of their having to learn it the HARD way.
Together, we WILL drive a stake through the heart of this insane zombie monster that CPS is.
Leonard Henderson, co-founder
American Family Rights
http://familyrights.us
“Until Every Child Comes Home”©
“The Voice of America’s Families”©
Erin says
In the State of Michigan my son was put into foster care when the case worker lied to the judge and said there was no other family in the area willing to take him. He was molested repeatedly over a period of 6 months in foster care while we were tossed around between case workers. We found reports that my son had complained about the foster parents on numerous occasions and nothing was done.
I was told by the Prosecutor who convicted the foster father that I could file a civil suit against the State of Michigan and CPS but was later told by an attorney that they have immunity and I can’t do anything.
Should I keep looking for another attorney then?
Linda Martin says
Erin, yes, you can sue. Lots of people sue CPS agencies when their children are injured in foster care. Happens all the time. Keep shopping around for the right attorney! The one attorney you talked to may be married to a CPS worker and might not want anyone to know they can sue! You never know… that’s why you’ll need to interview a lot of lawyers … then choose the right one for your case!
adela says
im trying t find a lawyer to help me figt cps I don’t no what kind of lawyer to look up if you can please help me thank you
Linda Jo Martin says
If your case is open look for a family law attorney – and if you case is closed, look for a civil rights attorney to sue in federal court.
angela says
Linda I hope you are the answer to my prayers. My CPS case was closed. My charge’s where willful cruelty to a child where dropped upon he agreement that the father has physical sole any I have joint physical,legal mind you I have had physical legal and sole the whole time out of sf county and they never found paperwork I could not find it at the time either. I agreed to it because I wanted so desperately to have my daughter with me on christmas. If I did not close the case she would not come home with me but I closed case and she came home with me that day. My visitation orders never where sent to me and the grandmother literally thinks that she is the mother will not pick up my calls and i have not seen my daughter at all for a month only three times. I have no paper work to show proof of visitation. We had four or five social workers and the last one was retiring and we where his last case. I bet he never sent them in. I have enough money saved to hire a attorney. I have completed a drug treatment program, graduated it, was in a residential home for five months,lived in a SLE for three,continued outpatient programs, AA meetings,NA meetings,consoling, Dyad Therapy, parenting classes,anger management classes, have had a job for a whole year live on my own supporting myself and taking care of grandmother who is blind and a diabetic, what makes me a mother who is unfit. I had my daughter all four years all by myself, Alissa is now eight. He has a new girlfriend and does not want me around at all,I should not have to go through his mother, I am A 37 year old adult,he was in federal prison the whole time for distribution of metinfedaphime his parenting cert.is from Lompoc federal prision and he never was present at any child custody case maybe four in the being please help me. I am not trying to take her away fromm him or his family I want to be a part of her life and raise her be a mommy I feel when he does not have her I should ant his mother and I should not have to answer to her at all. help please.
Linda Jo Martin says
Angela, since your CPS case is closed you can take this to family court. Find a family law attorney to help you file the documents so a judge can hear your side of the story. Compile as much evidence as you can to take to your attorney. Watch this video: An Attorney’s Advice on Protecting Your Family By Gathering Data. Also check out this page: Child Custody and CPS.
trish says
What is the sol to sue csb I live in Ohio.
Linda Jo Martin says
Trish, you need to contact a civil rights attorney for help. Be sure to compile a lot of evidence. You will only have a couple of years to sue, so don’t waste any time in getting started.
Candi says
I need serious advice hope someone can help. My sig other and I have been dealing with CPS in AZ for many years. All started 7 years ago and seems a never ending battle. His 2 girls where taken from their mom and 5 years later him and I got custody. Meantime we had our on child shes 3. two girl’s now 12 and 9 where givin to us case was closed. Now the 12 year old has severe mental disorders trauma and we have done all we can to deal with it. But about 3 weeks ago the child went wild at school beat herself and teachers up. So we put her in the hospital. Her high needs case manager for her mental health called CPS on us saying we have neglected her mental needs, this is not true so CPS comes out investigates. Go to the hospital take custody of her put her in a group home. Now they are filing out of home custody of her and in home dependancy for the other two. What I don’t understand is how can CPS do anything with my (mother) 3 year old. I have custody of her Dad and I are not married and actually I am still married to my ex have been for 16 years now. We havent been able to afford a divorce. I havent spoken to CPS personally or been informed personally or signed anything. Dad had to sign for them to take 12 year old. But since the 12 year old and 9 year old are not mine how does this involve me and the 3 year old? Does that make any sense cuz this is really confusing me. I haven’t spoken to a layer yet one cuz I cant afford one and two becuz I wasn’t informed of any of CPS plans for my daughter!
Linda Jo Martin says
Hi Candi, even though the girl wasn’t your daughter, she was living in your home. They are giving you a service plan because they’re concerned about all the people living in your home. They can legally do this… but it really saddens me that you haven’t seen a lawyer. If possible please go see some family law attorneys – see if you can get a free initial consultation – and maybe there will be one willing to advise you and work within your budget.
Candi says
Update: At this point CPS seems only interested in our mentally ill daughter and is not doing anything with our younger two. I was going over the docket sent to the court which we where suppose to get a copy of but my sig other received just before court. We didn’t even know til we read it hat the allegations where. It is neglect that we failed to take care of her mental health needs. We have documentation to proof we where. Anyways CPS didn’t ask me to come to court why would they I don’t have legal custody of this child only my own but in the docket they accused me of things such as which they knew from prior case and I am on disability for health issues and bi polar. They put on the docket I am not taking my bi polar meds which I am. The case worker is generalizing bi polar I guess because when she asked me how was my bi polar I said fine and she asked me what I take. I have bi polar 2 undefined in otherwords I do not have the extreme highs and psychosis that some bi polar people do. I cannot take lithium or that class of drugs. My docs have me on antidepressant and anxiety meds. Also docket stated I do not understand my step daughters mental illness. I worked as a CNA for many years with a very well known hospital doing home health one of my areas of specialty was Psych. Anyways thats a bit of defirmation of my character as far as I am concerned. But also they put on the docket that my step daughter was molested by her cousin who she has never even meet. It was someone completely different not related to her. All the info on the docket is incorrect. How can they have been involved in her prior case about her molestation and still have misinformation? There’s no need for me to lie about my meds to them especially considering here in AZ CPS is run by DES and they hold my medical coverage so that info is easily looked up but it wouldn’t say I don’t take my meds. How can they get away with filing easily proved otherwise info to the courts? As far as the lawyer is concerned we live in AZ the only lawyers who will step foot in CPS court are the ones appointed by the court to defend you. They are very bad lawyers. We have a very good family law attorney but he won’t can’t step foot in a juevinile court. Basically we are on our own. If you know of any attorneys in this state who will fight cps let me know. They said they are looking at reunification as long as my sig other jumps through there hoops counceling, ua tests, alchohol treatment classes because before his ex accused him of being an alchoholic so he has to comply. Parenting classes. His daughter has to get to the point where 80 percent of the time she doesn’t try to harm herself or others when she is frustrated. The bad lawyer told us that my sig other should plead denial and let CPS keep her for now and comply. Otherwise CPS gets two chances vs the one chance at trial to blow holes and gather more false evidence. Funny tho according to CPS I have no understanding of mental illness yet the caseworker keeps asking my opinion on everything as if I do. CPS and the group home have failed 2x to take the child to have her cast removed was suppose to be removed 2 weeks ago. So who is really being neglectful of her needs?
Amber says
Hi Candi,
It’s scary isn’t it? How they can just twist your words around and make it out like your some kind of monster? I’m going through the same thing with my daughter. A private therapist suggested she might have Borderline Personality Disorder. But it’s an axis ii diagnosis, which if a child under 18 has it, you’ll be hard pressed to find a therapist to help you. I’ve been to conferences to work through issues like this. I’d like to recommend a program for you first off. I am not sure a lot of CPS workers know about it. It’s world wide and there’s a long waiting list for it. I went to be a trainer for the program. It’s called “Family Connections” It’s a terrific program and it shows your willing to “learn” about your daughter’s condition and how to best handle it to reduce the number of incidences. It’s geared toward people with many mental health disorders and it feels good having some support at hand.
Be careful when talking to CPS. Give them generic answers. I am going through a similar situation but I really cannot be accused of neglect so much but boy these people sure are digging. What’s worse? When you try to confront them. Record everything (but check what state laws say first). My state needs only one person to know if the conversations are being recorded.
My daughter was arrested a few months ago for felony possession of a narcotic and conspiring to kill me. In these circumstances, I made sure to get as non-partial witnesses as possible. I made sure I was getting therapy. I made sure I told them about the “teen crisis” classes I attended, in addition to the others. I had documentation and worked closely with those people. My daughter at some point said I gave her drugs and alcohol. They turned that to mean they were illicit substances and I gave her alcohol on very rare occasion, and it was no more than one serving (like a special dinner, she could have A (as in one) beer with her dad and I. The law where I live allows that.
I know it’s difficult but see about getting a lawyer who will work with you on payments. They could use this to remove other children in the home. It’s a scary place to be and you are not alone. I am right there with you. If you would like some more support, please reply to this message. Furthermore, regarding complaints at the facility where she is, there is generally a statewide facility concern/complaint hotline. You may file your concerns there. Document everything in a journal and, I have gotten a device to record all phone conversations with my daughter’s probation officer, the hospital where my daughter is staying, and with CPS messages. I have learned to conveniently learned not to answer the phone. If you need help in this area, go to your nearest Radio Shack, they will point in the right direction. I know it sounds expensive but the recording device plugs into your phone is $23 dollars, and the digital recorder that can be downloaded to the computer is another $30. That is if you have them talk on a land line. I also got another device that plugs into my cell phone for around $30. Most people only have cell phones these days. I looked at apps for smart phones, and they required you have the phone on speaker phone. This little device looks very much like a speaker and it will still require the digital recorder. I live out in the country with an electric fence that requires keypad entry. They will have to know the code from now on to get in and I’ve disabled the emergency entry button. I’ve also changed the master reset code (which was 123456). Hopefully this works and requires them to call ahead of time before just dropping in as though I’ve got nothing better to do.
Since I have been accused of using drugs, they stopped by recently and gave me a drug swab in my mouth, which had a couple of false positives because of the meds I take. They wanted me to take a levels test immediately which I got a bad feeling about. So I called and hired a lawyer. I was under the impression that CPS was going to take these tests and interpret them and I was not comfortable with that since their whole job is all about twisting things around to justify taking your kids from you in a court of law.
Also you can request your own CPS records involving allegations against you and allegations involving your child. Go on your state child abuse registry or google it.
God Bless!
Candi says
Thanks Amber for the support and advice! God Bless you and your case as well.
candice says
i am going thru a similar situation.it has just recently been brought to my attention. and until now i thought that i lived in a world where i was protected. i feel so helpless my kids are terrified that they are going to be taken from me…..i feel so helpless
Tiara says
I cant believe that they can do things like that to people that are supporting their kids. im going through almost the same thing…words being twisted by cps and putting things on my daughter’s head.
patricia says
I need help to fight against cps they are doing alot of wrong and my children are suffering any advice
Candi says
Linda,
Do you know what kind of a lawyer we would need to sue cps. As I stated below on another comment our 12 yr old daughter has been in cps custody in a group home. Recently she has had 2 bad attacks where she assaulted staff, teachers, was taking to hospital where she assaulted nurses requiring them to obtain medical attention. where since tues april 22 2014 has been alone in the er awaiting bed space at a hospital for mental health. Then we find out today this is becuz she was again sexually assaulted while in cps care. What should we do? Sue cps? what kind of attorney for this? We have the lousy court appointed lawyer for juevanile court but i want to take this a step further.
Linda Jo Martin says
Candi, you need a civil litigation lawyer… some family law attorneys will do this. Perhaps a personal injury lawyer? You could go to the county courthouse and look for other lawsuits filed against the department of social services, and look at the cases to see what lawyer filed them. That way you’d get someone with some experience in suing that agency.
sara says
does your daughter have any of these attacks while in their custody? request the lawyer/or judge release the records of the home visits/hospitalizations while your child has been kept in their foster. This would show her safety is not your poor parenting skills, but lack of DSS/Societies effective programs. If it has completely stopped, then maybe she isn’t happy or managed properly in the environment you have provided. Providing you with insight about your home environment for the others in your care.
Marie says
My daughter was acting out running away she got her act together got pregnant still no problems my Cps worker gave us a plane so my daughter had the baby they tooked the baby she only 4 days old they told me being that my children got taking away before they not giving the baby to me but they lied on me before twice my daughter depress I live in nj they said my daughter bipolar my daughter is sad they lied on me