The city of Flint has a long history of bad press, and the recent problems with the water rates have done little to help that problem. But aside from the city’s troubles following the recent court ruling requiring that they cut water prices and stop disconnecting people’s supply lines when bills go unpaid, the city is now facing another lawsuit.

According to attorney Valdemar Washington, there are families who have lost their children to CPS after the city shut off their water. Washington is heading up a class action lawsuit against the city of Flint, seeking financial return for damages done to families because of the 2011 rate hike.

Washington is hoping to find families who were deprived of their children because of shutoffs. There have been many rumors that have circulated in the Flint area about parents who were unable to pay their bills, had their water shut off and then lost custody of their children as a result. But rumors are not concrete evidence.

So is it true? Can CPS show up on your doorstep and remove your children just because you’re behind on your utility bills and have had your water shut off? According to a spokesperson for Child Protective Services, it’s not.

In a recent statement made to the media in response to the lawsuit, a CPS spokesperson explained that the agency has considerably more requirements for a child removal than just the lack of running water. So what does CPS do if they encounter a family without utilities?

Well, according to the agency spokesperson, CPS would refer the family to a source of financial assistance, either public or private, that would allow for returned services. Also, they would work with the family to come up with solutions for the interim, like having the child bathe at a friend or family member’s house, and filling up containers of clean drinking water at public drinking fountains for use in the home.

The lawsuit against Flint on the water rate hikes has progressed since it was first filed. According to multiple media sources, if the lawsuit is successful, the city of Flint will be required to pay back tens of thousands of dollars to customers of the city’s water and sewer systems who have been overpaying since 2011.