CPS reform

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Nationwide, there are State run agencies who are supposed to be protecting abused children in dangerous situations. Each State has many different titles for them. All of them are main stapled as CPS (Child Protective Services). For example, in Texas they're known as DFPS. (Department of Family and Protective Services)

While there is an important need to find abused children and to protect them, the current system is only finding a small percentage of those truly abused children. The rest of their statistics that guarantee a high departmental income are from families who never abused their children. Where they get this income and the sources of information will be posted after the next paragraph.

I am not calling for an abolishment of CPS. What I am petitioning for is an overhaul and restructure to bring them in line with lawful investigation practices, to maintain Constitutional Rights and proper training for Agents who never had children, and psychological evaluations to find and replace the Agents who were themselves abused as Children and see abuse in every home regardless of the situation. This is not, I repeat, not a rare occurrence. I will supply statistics to support this and how this has escalated. I will also supply the sources.

Departmental income has become more important to CPS and their offices than actually finding abused children and protecting them. Each and every time they remove a child from the home, they get paid from the Federal Government. Here they are:

1. Public Law 93-247 known as the Mondale Act of 1974.

2. Public Law 96-272 known as the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980

3. Social Security Title IV-E funds.

The ASFA- Public Law 105-89 known as American Safe Families Act of 1997 is one of the most horrific laws on the books today. While it sounds nice in the title, when you get through the legal jargon, what this means is so wrong. If you ever had a child removed from your house by CPS, even UNFOUNDED and you are innocent, they will take that child in minutes after the child is born! Babies are highly adoptable and the Federal Government pays out $6,000 to the CPS office who conducts the legal kidnapping and gets them adopted quickly without regards to the biological Mother and her family. Since she was investigated once, they do this in the "best interests of the child" as she is a "potential" abuser.

The largest targeted type of families are folks with low incomes, children on SSI and are minorities. If you even have one of those three issues, you are a target for CPS to illegally investigate you. While these things are a surefire magnet, they have been known to do illegal investigations against families if they were reported falsely with malicious intent. Example is an ex-wife wants to get even with her ex-husband and his new family, she could report them and put them through Hell.

Why are the reasons CPS Agents actually find so little true abuse?

1. Agents who never had children and don't understand that a few toys in the corner of the room is not a hazardous mess.

2. Agents are not trained in real evidence recognition. In fact, no Agent in CPS has any training in evidence, the Constitution or criminal justice. They are given anywhere from 3 to 6 months of training, being taught that it is ok to break into a Home without probable cause or exigent circumstances.

3. Agents are trained to use subjective speculation and not objective factual reporting.

4. The Agents do not get psychological evaluations. A number of Agents who were abused as a child themselves see abuse in every home they go into, even if it's not there.

5. Most States do not require Agents to have a degree in Social Sciences. Any degree will do, doesn't even have to be related to the field.

6. The Agency has no checks and balances. A field Agent can lie to a judge or police officer with absolutely no proof and have it entered as factual evidence in a court of law!

7. Agents are trained to believe they are immune from the authority of the First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Sixth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment. They violate this in every investigation done nationwide.

Here are the statistics and sources to support these facts:

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the United States. These numbers come from The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) in Washington.

CPS- Physical Abuse (160) Sexual Abuse (112) Neglect (410) Medical Neglect (14) Fatalities (6.4)

Parents- Physical Abuse (59) Sexual Abuse (13) Neglect (241) Medical Neglect (12) Fatalities (1.5)

As you can see, children are abused far more in care than at home. The calculated average is for every 1 abused child removed from an abusive home, there are 17 unabused children removed from loving non-offending homes nationwide.

Constitutional Violations and Court Rulings that CPS Ignores to this very day!

1. It's unconstitutional for CPS to conduct an investigation and interview a child on private property without exigent circumstances or probable cause. - Doe et al, v. Heck et al (No. 01-3648, 2003 US App. Lexis 7144)

2. All CPS workers in the United States are subject to the 4th and 14th Amendment - Walsh v. Erie County Dept. of Job and Family Services, 3:01-cv-7588

3. Police officers and social workers are not immune for coercing or forcing entry into a person's home without a search warrant. Calabretta v. Floyd (9th Cir. 1999)

4. The mere possibility of danger does not constitute an emergency or exigent circumstance that would justify a forced warrantless entry and a warrantless seizure of a child. Hurlman v. Rice (2nd Cir. 1991)

5. Police officer and social worker may not conduct a warrantless search or seizure in a suspected child abuse case absent exigent circumstances. Defendants must have reason to believe that life or limb is in immediate jeopardy and that the intrusion is reasonable necessary to alleviate the threat. Searches and seizures in investigation of a child neglect or child abuse case at a home are governed by the same principles as other searches and seizures at a home. Goodv. Dauphin County Social Services (3rd Cir. 1989)

6. The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures extends beyond criminal investigations and includes conduct by social workers in the context of a child neglect/abuse investigation. Lenz v. Winburn (11th Cir. 1995)

7. Making false statements made to obtain a warrant, when the false statements were necessary to the finding of probable cause on which the warrant was based, violates the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement. Aponte Matos v. Toledo Davilla (1st Cir. 1998)

What can be done to change this for a better, more healthy Child Protection System?

I. Child Abuse is a Crime, not a touchy feely civil complaint and should be investigated as a crime.

II. Have the abuse allegations investigated by a Detective or Police Officer, who are trained for this as a career, whereas CPS workers are not. All investigations are joint ones with said Officers of the Law and with warrants properly issues under probable cause.

III. Re-train Agents to respect and obey the laws of the Constitution of the United States. If a family is guilty of abuse, a legal investigation will find it.

IV. Repeal the Mondale Act, Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act, Title IV-E rewards to CPS from Social Security and the American Safe Families Act. Remember, they are not what the title sounds like and has been the root core of many loving homes losing their children to a system that will abuse them.

V. Make CPS legally investigate those who sign up to be foster parents. They do not do this today, and many foster parent who want the money for fostering them are actually child abusers who never get caught!

VI. All interviews to be audio and video recorded just like it happens with the police!

VII. Hold CPS Agents and foster parents and the records keeper responsible for every child who vanishes or dies in their care for their location.

VIII. Also investigate the person or persons reporting the abuse, and if done maliciously with intent to disrupt a family, prosecute the reporter to the fullest extent of the Law regarding making false claims to Government Agencies to affect an unnecessary and costly investigation.

IX. Abuse is a Crime, guarantee the accused retain their right to face their accusers in a court of law. As the system currently is, this is not done.

X. The Children are to be tracked on a weekly basis, so no more children vanish in the system.

XI. If a disabled, mentally retarded or sick Child is put into Foster Care, the Child's current Physician will need to provide a copy of the diagnosis and treatment, and medications, if any, will be provided as prescribed by the Physician. All appointments must be kept while in Foster Care. Any violations without a very good reason will result in the Foster Parents losing their certification for Foster Care.

XII. If a Foster Child dies while in Foster Care, there will be an Investigation by the FBI and all parties responsible for the Death of a Child will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

XIII. There will be a National Database where all known abusers are recorded and can be accessed by Law Enforcement. Everyone who is found not guilty won't have their Convictions and Abuse Reports listed. It will be illegal to keep records of any sort on innocent individuals or families. If they are convicted in a court of law by a jury of their peers, then the report of abuse they are guilty of will be the only report listed.

Currently, none of this is done, and innocent families who are not guilty of anything are losing their Children based on the word of others where there is no burden of proof for Prosecution, for the sake of getting Federal Funds for tens of thousands of dollars. The few truly abused children are ending up in a system where they are worse off than where they came from, even to the extent of being killed. Also, the innocent children who are never abused are also killed.

Injustice against one American is injustice against all Americans. Help us put the Justice back into Child Protective Services and get them focused on finding and saving abused children. It's time we removed them from the profitable business of tearing loving non-offending families apart.		CPS reform

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People signing the "CPS reform" petition!

  1. Fri., Nov. 20, 2009 9:05 AM    link Rene M. | Levelland, TX

    I've been saying things along these lines (without legal referances) for over 20years.

  2. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  3. Thu., Nov. 19, 2009 12:42 PM    link Name not displayed | San Diego, CA

    We have been dealing with CPS for almost a year now. Every time my ex-husband has a problem with me for whatever reason, he reports me to CPS. Although the claims have come back "unsubstantiated" they don't investigate my ex at all, just visits my house every time he claims something is going on. It's about time CPS and the authorities investigate the people reporting, especially when it's done over and over again with the allegations always coming back unsubstantiated. This is harrassment and if it was a private citizen doing it, we could do something, but since CPS is a government org., we have to sit back and take it and pray along the way we get to keep our children in our home. Currently, CPS has stated I'm not allowed to be alone with my children at any time, which affects my husband's ability to provide enough income for our family, and I didn't do anything wrong! To them, it's called "preventative" action. I'm just fed up. Preventation from what?!? when I've proved no wrongdoing in my home!

  4. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  5. Thu., Nov. 19, 2009 12:44 AM    link Marvin G. | Central Point, OR

  6. Tue., Nov. 17, 2009 11:19 AM    link Paula T. | Rockdale, TX

    Tx CPS has to be stopped.

  7. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  8. Tue., Nov. 17, 2009 11:15 AM    link Belinda G. | Rockdale, TX

    Tx CPS has picked up forty children in one week.From a town of 5000 people. Their all poor people. From low income housing and Trailer Parks.

  9. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  10. Tue., Nov. 17, 2009 5:58 AM    link Gloria H. | Summerfield, FL

  11. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 9:02 PM    link Rainbow C. | Friendswood, TX

    Its time that something was done! This abuse by this agency has gone on long enough! Us parents are pawns in they're money grubbing schemes and frankly I'm tired of it!

  12. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  13. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 3:35 PM    link Juanita S. | Halls, TN

    The things CPS have been allowed to get away with our criminal. Why are they forced to show you what "alleged evidence" they have on you? It is a funny thing that they can invade your home and take your kid but never tell you the reason why. It is unconstitutional yet our government allows this to happen. There is so much corruption throughout Tennessee and the country. We have an absolutely terrible governor who simply does not care. Here is to hoping he reaps what is sowed.

  14. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  15. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 2:50 PM    link Misty H. | Sacramento, CA

    I am a victim of Sacramento County CPS . Sacramento,CA. I first had a case in 2003 I was 17.And they told me one thing then did another,they tried bribing me with a check.And I was not givin any reunification services and the social worker adopted my kids to her best friend. Which that is what her sole intentions was. 6 years later I have my son Matthew, I had a probation violation and I was arrested. I was in jail for 30 days. Again I was offered no reunification services. I voluntarily went into a residential program for 90days. I completed that program and went directly into a 6 mo. transitional program.I have go parenting certificates done counsiling and much more.CPS has not acknowledged this and they have terminated any services they have my son in adoption process. And my councilors are enraged at this and so am I . I know of people who have had this same type of thing happen to them and they have gotten their kids back but they had the money to do it . I don't, So therefore the county gets more money to bail out the state by what they recieve for every adoption they do. That's like black marketing our babies. PLEASE HELP.

  16. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  17. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 2:25 PM    link Drew L. | San Diego, CA

  18. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 11:41 AM    link Daniel P. | Central Point, OR

  19. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 8:52 AM    link Heather B. | Clifton Park, NY

  20. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 8:22 AM    link Joseph M. | El Dorado Hills, CA

    CPS should be abolished as the rot and corruption are too wide spread leaving nothing worth saving. A new program with checks and balances and safe guards needs to be created.

  21. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  22. Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 6:42 AM    link Jonee L. | Dayton, TN

    I myself have been a victim of investigation by CPS due to a absent parent who wished to use whatever means necessary to obtain custody for malicious reasons. Though every charge was dropped and allegations were found to be unfounded it was some of the worst months ever for my family. I was one of the lucky ones. My children were not taken away. However most aren't that fortunate. I know of a family in my area who's children were taken away because there was no working toilet in the home. The family was a low income bracket. The children were removed until the plumbing problem could be fixed. Over a year later, and the parents were still fighting to get their children back, and out of the system. While on the other end of the spectrum, a family member who has custody of two of her grandchildren is fighting to retain custody of the other two from a sexually abusive daughter in law. The sexual abuse allegations have been founded on the first two by medical and psychiatric specialists. However because of "errors" in the system and multiple counties being involved the other two children have still not been removed from the home. Truly bad parents are slipping through the cracks while good parents are paying prices they shouldn't have to. CPS should be held to higher standards, rules, and regulations. They should be held accountable for THEIR actions, just like every other Goverment Agency.

  23. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  24. Sun., Nov. 15, 2009 8:58 PM    link kathy w. | Olathe, KS

  25. Sat., Nov. 14, 2009 2:51 AM    link Wanda F. | Carmichael, CA

    I'm so tired of hearing about the budget cuts and I only see that they still havent investigated all the wrong doings and lies that they all tell in order to adopt a child out SO THEY GET PAID MORE and they all cover up for one another. So Who are they to critisize anybody and claim them to be criminals? HAVE THEY LOOKED IN THE MIRROR

  26. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  27. Fri., Nov. 13, 2009 10:56 PM    link Gina G. | Brownsville, TX

    If you have your criminal, and he or she is convicted, then why are you still investigating and terminating parental rights? Remember, Innocent until proven guilty.

  28. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  29. Fri., Nov. 13, 2009 10:25 PM    link Name not displayed | Wylie, TX

  30. Fri., Nov. 13, 2009 8:31 PM    link Name not displayed | Lufkin, TX

  31. Fri., Nov. 13, 2009 6:10 PM    link Francesca M. | Saint Petersburg, FL

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