Grudge Calls to CPS (Child Protective Services)
You're Mad, but Who Are You Really Going to Hurt?
The problem is that there might not be anything going on that is abusive or neglectful in that family. Then let's say that the kids do get taken away. The parents, yes, they are stunned, hurt, ashamed, and so forth. Their children are gone. But how do the children feel? They have lost everything they hold dear to them, their parents, their toys, their clothes, the little hiding spot in the front room that was all their own, their pets, their friends, and the list goes on and on. The parents get left behind, with all the reminders of their children, the scribble on the wall, the messy bed, the toys in the bedroom, the backyard, the front porch, the shampoo visor in the bathroom, and the school pictures coming in the mail. They hurt, yes, but not as much as their children do. They are adults, and they understand more than what the children will. To be honest, they, most likely, can have more children. Their children cannot get new parents, unless they are adopted. They cannot have a new, clean-slate childhood.
Another part of this equation that rarely enters in to the thoughts of those who make grudge calls to CPS is the children who need that caseworker's time to ensure they are not further abused or neglected. There are bad parents out there who don't care about their children, or downright resent them and make it well-known to the children in their care. These are the children that need their caseworker to be able to focus on them and their needs, not sidetracked by some disgruntled neighbor who has decided to use the government, especially CPS, as their own personal equalizer. It's impossible for anyone, government worker or not, to be in two places at the same time. If someone calls a CPS caseworker out to investigate something that doesn't exist, that person who called CPS maliciously might as well side with parents who truly are abusive and willfully neglectful.
I'm sure this article will make some people angry, but I hope it will open some people's eyes. There are only so many resources to go around, and it is impossible for a person to be in two places at the same time. Since this is true, it's hard to argue that people who can make that grudge call can say that they honestly care about children who really are abused or neglected. My goal here is to reduce the chances that someone will make a grudge call just because they are mad at the parents. There are other places and other things that a person can do.
Other things that someone who is mad at someone else can do would be to talk about it, if possible, go through mediation, get a protective order, avoid the person you're angry with (and this includes talking about them to other people), and even moving to another area. And if you must call and report them, much like a child tattling on another child, call the IRS for tax evasion (at least you keep any children out of it), call the board of health on them for mice on their property or farm animals they are keeping (and so on - get creative), call city code for housing violations, and so forth. But keep the children out of adult arguments. There's no reason for a child to be hurt because their parent is unable to get along with his or her neighbors. And remember, it is illegal to make a grudge call to CPS, and those who do and are caught doing so can actually end up facing jail time, plus monetary damages, depending on their location.
Published by LorriAnne
is interested in religious studies, interpersonal relationships, homeschooling issues, cultural exchanges, among others. She has earned her Associate's and Bachelor's degrees in Liberal Arts from IPFW, and... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentIn Indiana, removal of a child does not require a court order. It only requires that the caseworker thinks removal might be best for the child. This is if there is an active case. For a new case, the parent has the right to refuse to allow the caseworker into the home to investigate, unless there's a court order (see JL Vs. Florida). Indiana doesn't want to lose that federal money, so they refuse to give kids back, no matter how much or well the parent is doing. when the kid goes back home to their family, the state loses their funding. When there aren't enough kids being adopted out to fill the federal quota, they lose even more money. the only requirement is 'in the best interest of the child', and CPS' witnesses' testimony is often fabricated, and the parent's testimony is often overlooked. Child abuse will never go away, it's always going to be here, I just think it's bad that some who don't abuse or neglect their kids are 'framed' and others who are guilty get away with it
The truth is, it's very difficult to get children removed where I am from. I have worked in CPS for a number of years and there are MANY MANY myths being published on the subject. You are right about there not being enough resources. Usually it's easy to see right off the bat when a false report is made. But the law states that CPS has to check it out anyway. When I was a child, and I'm only 34, I was locked in a closet, nearly suffocated w/ a pillow and beaten on a regular basis. I told teachers, parents of friends and even my mother, and no one did anything - ever. Maybe that's why I do what I do. But even when children are removed, which is rare around here...as we say at work "a kid could be bleeding to death and the judge would not remove the child." It's easier for a child to be placed in fostercare for truancy than for child abuse. But even when a child is removed, reintegration is ALWAYS the goal. It's up to the parent to do their part. And there must be "clear and c
The professionals say,everything is done in the best interests of the Child.
There is very little support out there for Parents or Carers, who have their Children taken away wrongly,and suffer the injustices of System Abuse,at the hands of the Family Courts.
Even when there has been a clear miscarriage of Justice, High Court Judges will not overturn Adoption Orders.
Parents such has teachers, also have their careers ruined,in some cases of alleged Child Abuse, the Police,and CPS,decide to take no action, because of lack of evidence, in other cases, more often than not Social Services, instigate Care Proceedings, in a few cases sometimes CPS decide to take no action, but the allegation remains on file,held by the Criminal Records bureau, preventing that person, ever working with Children,which is a gross violation of Human Rights.
I am campaigning within UK Parliament, with regards to the former,Shadow Justice Minister David Burrowes, is looking into our concerns.
Kathryn, I know of people like that, too. Screams at them, abandons them for weeks at a time, has utilities shut off, does drugs and deals, too, manhandles the kids, and has had CPS called. One stops it by shipping the kids off to her relative's house in another county as soon as she knows CPS has opened a case against her. Sometimes I think it is too much legislation that gets people all channeled into one spot, and not enough leeway for the caseworkers to decide what they should do. I still think that they need to have incentives for giving kids back to parents when a parent has shown there is no danger to their children. Right now, there is no such incentive, but there is for removal of a child, and an even bigger one for termination of parental rights. I just think there are too many people who call in for made up reasons to get even with the parents, and end up hurting the kids. A person can be a lousy neighbor or friend, but a great parent.
It's ridiculous that anyone would think it is ok to call in false allegations! Of course, I know of people who shouldn't be allowed to have their children, and CPS never removes the kids... That's a shame.
False reporting is a big problem, as is uninformed reporting. There are folks who will report the mom who gave her child a swat on the behind to stop him from throwing a fit in the store. Teachers who see a student come to school with a black eye and report to CPS, not knowing the child fell off his bunkbed the night before. These kinds of allegations can and do cause children to be temporarily or permanently removed from safe, loving homes.
I would like to warn everybody that in some states now it is a felony to call CPS with "grudge" calls. CPS involvement is a traumatizing experience regardless if initiated by a back-stabbing neighbor or an idiot social worker. Do not even think the state will not turn over name and phone number of the violator if the state is found guilty of civil rights violations and illegal CPS involvement. If the state can pinpoint the source of the violations and pin it on the "nosy" neighbor or incompetent social worker, they will. Just a warning. Remember the golden rule and live by it.