Tag: Child Abuse Defense Lawyer
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Reunifying a Family is Hard Work, But it’s Worth it! (Part 1)
For all of the controversy and monstrous errors that have haunted Michigan’s CPS for decades, there is another side to that coin. A side that rarely gets talked about, and doesn’t often make the news. A side that strives to solve the problems faced by families who’ve been torn apart by CPS, and make right…
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Does Being in Foster Care Mess up a Kids’ Future? (Pt. 2)
Welcome back and thanks for joining us again for this discussion on the long-term effects of foster care on a child’s life. In the previous article in this two-part series, we looked at how hard being in foster care is on kids, and why they often struggle emotionally later in life. However, losing everything meaningful…
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Pontiac Mom Accused of Intentionally Burning Baby With Hot Water
When emergency responders first showed up at Carmen Ann Smith-Portee’s house, responding to a call about a burned baby, she told them the 1-year-old had climbed into the tub by himself. Shortly after that, when deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s department arrived at the scene, Smith-Portee told them the same story – that she…
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There’s no Evidence That CPS Managers Manipulated Caseload Data!
According to a Lansing State Journal article, published in May of 2017, they had uncovered evidence of at least three Michigan counties where CPS supervisors allegedly intentionally logged inaccurate data about active, ongoing abuse cases. Why? Because, according to a number of current and previous employees the LSJ interviewed, supervisors were trying to make it…
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CPS: Investigation Essentials For Michigan Families (Part 2)
Welcome back, and thanks for joining us for this discussion on basic CPS investigation essentials for Michigan families. We’ve been looking at the basics involved when a CPS worker shows up on your doorstep. What do you do? What should you say? How do you respond? There are so many questions, and so few obvious…
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Mom Leaves Twin Babies in Curbside Suitcase When CPS Shows up!
This story has hit the media like a wildfire, and it’s spreading fast! As a city whose media presence has been associated with all manner of controversies in recent years, from the Flint water crisis to the FBI’s claim that it’s the most dangerous city in the nation, this Michigan city has had more than…
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How the Nassar Case Will Change Michigan’s Child Abuse Reporting Laws (Pt 2)
Welcome back, and thanks for joining us for this difficult discussion about a topic that has shaken Michigan to the core. Many things are changing in the wake of the revelations about Larry Nassar, and after the historic trial where more than 100 victims shared victim impact statements. Laws are being reviewed and criticised. New…
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Giving Birth to an Unwanted Baby? There Are Ways to Avoid CPS! (Part 2)
Welcome back and thanks for joining us. In the previous post we talked about the reasons for Michigan’s Safe Haven law, and how it benefits everyone involved. In this post we’d like to share with you info about what’s involved in surrendering a newborn safely to the authorities. For new moms, the idea of just…
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The Truth About Interviewing Victims of Child Abuse (Part 3)
In the previous segment we discussed some of the issues that plague forensic interviewers during interrogation sessions with children. These include the intimidating nature of police stations, cops in uniform when they are the interviewers, and the danger of openly recording the session. In this next piece we’ll be talking about confirmatory bias, which can…
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The Truth About Interviewing Victims of Child Abuse (Part 2)
Welcome back. In the first article of this series, we talked a little about what exactly a forensic interviewer is, and what they do. Yet in looking at this particular subject, there are many questions about how effective their techniques are. We also wondered what some of the problems might be when interviewing a potentially…