Tag: Child Abuse Defense Lawyer
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What to Expect During a CPS Home Visit in Michigan
If a report has been made against you to Michigan Child Protective Services (CPS), it’s normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed. A CPS investigation can be incredibly intrusive and emotionally draining, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. When there is a report of child abuse or neglect, Michigan CPS normally begins an investigation…
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Understanding the CPS Investigation Process in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is responsible for opening a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation when a report of child abuse or neglect is made. CPS will only open an investigation if the report includes an allegation of actual abuse or neglect, not suspected. For example, if someone makes a report…
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Understanding Your Rights During a CPS Investigation in Michigan
Becoming the subject of a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation can be very overwhelming for families. Knowing the process of a CPS investigation, what your rights are, and what you should do during an investigation can help ease the stress and could make a substantial difference in the outcome of the investigation. What Does CPS…
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Michigan CPS Removal of a Child and What to Do
In Michigan, Child Protective Services (CPS) is not supposed to remove a child from their home unless an investigation reveals exigent circumstances or an immediate risk of abuse or neglect. To have exigent circumstances, CPS would need to believe that abuse or neglect is occurring based on the information they have and that the child…
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Experts Say Child Abuse Was Severly Undereported During The Pandemic
You’ve probably heard this before – certainly if you follow our blog – that certain crimes were very likely underreported during the pandemic. Many experts believe that domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, all crimes whose numbers dropped significantly on paper, were not in fact down, but rather just not being accurately reported during…
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Does The Child Abuse Registry Need to be Reformed?
As part of their pre-election platform, the Biden administration promised that their sweeping reforms would be carefully crafted to address current racial and social justice issues. With that in mind, several family advocates are calling for US Child Welfare policies to be reformed. Specifically, the Child Abuse Registry. (Here in Michigan we call our state…
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Should Abused Children be Held Responsible For Their Actions When They Harm Others? (Pt 1)
Anyone who has ever parented a child knows that it can be stressful. Kids, especially when they struggle with behavioral and emotional issues, or with mental health conditions, can test the limits of your patience in ways that nothing else on earth does. After all, they’re kids. Which means they haven’t yet learned to curb…
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CPS And Your Narcissistic Spouse: Should You be Worried About False Claims of Abuse?
Being married to a narcissist is a scary reality for a surprising number of people. The gaslighting, the lies, the manipulation. It can be a terrifying situation, and many people feel trapped in those relationships. And what makes it even worse is that so few other people can see what you see. Narcissists are usually…
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Child Abuse Calls to CPS Have Increased Significantly During Quarantine!
A great many places around Michigan, and the grester US, have seen significant reductions in crime during the quarantine. Murder, sexual assault and burglary numbers have dropped well below the average for this time of year, and that’s great. But when you trap families together in their homes with very little relief and no fixed…
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A New House Bill Could Reform Michigan Child Welfare Laws
House Bill 4706, which was introduced by House Rep Matt Hall, would make small but significant changes to how child abuse allegations are handled right after the first report is made to CPS here in Michigan. Current law says that any form of child abuse and neglect, or suspected child abuse and neglect, (including exposure…