Whether your family has had several run-ins with CPS in the past, or you have no experience with the agency whatsoever, the prospect of a CPS worker on your doorstep is scary! What do they want, and are they being honest with you? Are you required to do what they tell you to, or do you also have rights? There are a lot of questions people ask themselves in the moment, but often don’t have any idea where to find the answers.

Why would CPS be investigating me or my family?

There are lots of reasons why a CPS worker has started an investigation into you, or a member of your family. However, you can be sure that, whatever that reason is, it won’t work out well for you unless you take proactive steps to protect and defend yourself.

Although this isn’t even close to an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common reasons CPS workers open investigations:

• Someone reported that your child may have been sexually assaulted.
• The school district has reported a large number of unexcused absences for your child.
• You were arrested doing something that may have endangered your child, like driving drunk with your child in the vehicle.
• You took your child to hospital and the medical staff suspect child abuse or neglect.
• Someone suspects that your child is not being properly cared for, or is being abused.

How does an investigation start?

CPS relies heavily on “good samaritans” and mandated reporters to let them know when there is something potentially wrong with a child, that could be abuse or neglect. Once a report has been made, a CPS worker is assigned that case, and they are required to follow up within a certain period of time – usually 72 hours.

Sometimes the worker arrives to discover that there’s nothing wrong and the report was unsubstantiated. While this is usually the case, for those people who do get investigated, it’s a terrifying process! It doesn’t take much to make a CPS worker think a child is abused or neglected. And once they’ve made that assumption, they’re going to work very hard to prove that they’re correct!

What will CPS do if they think my child’s in danger?

If a CPS worker believes that a parent has some issues (like minor substance abuse problems, or financial issues that make it hard to properly feed and clothe a child) they will recommend services. This could be anything from substance abuse counseling, anger management classes, parenting classes, or a referral to one of MDHHS’s assistance programs.

However, in many cases, the worker removes the children from the home, claiming that they are at risk of further harm. In this case, they will (hopefully) place your children with a relative if possible (although the only way this is likely is if you provide the CPS worker with all the contact info they need to get hold of your preferred relatives.) If there are no relatives available, your child will be placed straight into a temporary foster home!

What do I do if that happens?

If CPS workers have shown up at your house, made allegations against you, or attempted to take your children away, you need to do one thing right now – call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. Our highly skilled and experienced CPS defense attorneys have spent decades defending families and protecting parent’s rights. We can help you too!

If however, you’re just reading this to be prepared, in case of a worst case scenario, join us next time to look at some more facts about CPS investigations, and what you should know in advance!