A few weeks ago we shared some information with you about how certain CPS workers are claiming that their bosses falsify documents in order to appear to be in compliance with state regulations. It’s a disturbing and very sad possibility, but Michigan lawmakers are vowing to get to the bottom of this.

The Lansing State Journal broke the story, claiming that they had evidence that in at least three Michigan counties, CPS supervisors had intentionally logged inaccurate data about active abuse cases. According to a number or current and previous employees who discussed these allegations with the media, supervisors are trying to make it look like the agency is in compliance with a federal court order, when in fact they are not.

According to several former CPS workers who discussed the issue with the LSJ, ‘count day’ was the one day each month when cases were counted to ensure that no one caseworker was overloaded. In other words, they couldn’t have more than 12 cases each or there would be trouble from the federal oversight committee.

But because most workers were over the limit, cases would be reshuffled each count day to ensure that the numbers looked good. Cases would be assigned to trainees, and to people who weren’t working at the time. The day after count day, those cases would once again be assigned back to the worker who had them the day before count day.

Since that first article in early May, even more allegations have surfaced. Cases are allegedly being reassigned to workers who are out on maternity leave, or have taken temporary leaves of absences. This makes the case load that each agent is assigned look smaller, and cases appear to be evenly distributed among available workers. Except they aren’t.

More counties are now alleged to be involved in the document forgeries.

At the time of the prior publication, there were three counties named where this falsification of documents was said to have happened – Barry,  Muskegon and Marquette. Since then, however, more CPS workers have come forward, sharing stories about document falsification in other counties as well. Now implicated in the forged data scandal is Ingham, Wayne, St. Clair and Monroe.

With CPS’s tragic track record, and now allegations of falsifying data and documentation, lawmakers from all over the state are justifiably horrified. State Senators Peter MacGregor and Joseph Graves, who are both chairmen of the Oversight committees in their respective chambers, have both spoken up to say that they intend to investigate the matter and hold CPS accountable if the allegations are true.

Bob Wheaton, DHHS department spokesman, says that the department has already investigated the allegations on it’s own and have come to the conclusion that no children were neglected, and no wrong was committed. But many people aren’t satisfied, and who can blame them? If the only accountability CPS has is to itself, then what chance do we have of an honest answer?

We will continue to watch this situation as it unfolds, and will keep you updated on any investigation that may follow. Until then, if you believe that your CPS case has been mishandled, or that a CPS worker has falsified information about you or your family, we can help. Call the abuse and neglect defense attorneys at The Kronzek Firm  at 866 766 5245 24/7 to talk to an experienced CPS defense attorney today.