Am I legally required to cooperate with Child Protective Services???
916238
If you do not have anything to hide than there is no reason not to cooperate with them. If the reports are truly false than obviously Child protective services will see that you are doing nothing wrong and will drop the case. Its kind of like not cooperating with a drug test....as soon as you refuse to pee in that cup everyone assumes your a druggie. I know if I was ever in that situation I'd want my good name cleared ASAP
309892
Well, to be fair, I have to say that it depends on the case worker you get. My best friend works for CPS, and is wonderful. Her first goal is to keep a family together and help as much as possible with problems. But even she says she has one co-worker who is overly eager to remove from the home. The other case workers go around behind this woman trying to fix things so that it's best for the family.\n\nBut, at CPS no matter what city, the primary design is to help families in distress. They should be very willing to help solve your friends problem in the home, Depending....on the severity of the abuse. There is some abuse that a child needs removed from immediately, as it is just not safe to be there. That is what the case worker investigates to determine.\n\nBy all means, if you have a friend being abused, have him or her (or you do it) call Children's Protective Services. They will evaluate the situation and do the best possible thing. It is most important that your friend have help, in order to be safe.\nI wish the best of luck to you and your friend. If you need more direction from here, you need to talk to an adult that you can trust. That can be a parent, parents friend, friends parent, school nurse or a teacher, a pastor, anyone that you are comfortable approaching for help. Take care, and God bless!
88342
Yes, you have to get a lawyer.  The fact that you don't feel safe around him or feel your child is safe hints at a serious issue.  The main reason for a lawyer though is to ensure that your kid is taken care of.  There is no way that you can do that on your own without help.
77727
If the teen has a family member they trust and can go to - then by all means go.  However, make sure that all forms of abuse have been documented (by writing in a journal and that the other family members can corroborate the documentation with photos of the physical abuse.)\n\nThe parents will be charged and it is NOT a civil matter that will be handled in Family Court - it becomes a Federal matter - and Child Abuse charges will be filed against the parents.  In many jurisdictions - the child will be placed with the other family member instead of being "placed within the system" - thus ending up in foster care.\n\nIf there is NO family member available - please call the following number.  It is toll free:\n\n1-800-4-A-Child\n\nMay God be with you and bless you.  Please, if possible, keep me appraised of what happens.
733455
call   the sheriffs  office and request  a  check on  the welfare of a child  ...they  are required  to follow up on it\n\nlol@CPS and you know why
525773
I am sorry to hear about your situation. I was in a similar situation 7 years ago but her father was actually convicted of molesting a young girl in town and he was sent to jail so i have sole custody of her. But I do know from working with troubled kids that there are supervised visits you can ask for where the visits are in a safe location with a member of social services or another agency like that present during the visit. It may be an option for you to look into and i hope everything works out.
638120
Dear Friend,\n\nYou need to speak to Child Protective Services.  They will tell you the process for your state.  Obviously, she'll get to tell the court her side of things as well.  If she's a real threat to your kids, hop on it.  If you just want to hurt her, find something better to do with your time.\n\nYour Friend,\nFrancesois
433897
Tricky.  Which family member is your client in the scenario?  The entire family?  \n\nI totally agree, having lived through it myself, that reporting can devastate a family, especially if the offender is seeking help.  However, you have a duty to the daughter to protect her from any further abuse.\n\nIf it were possible, I'd set conditions on the father's behavior and hold my tounge unless/until he backslid.  The question then becomes, how much trouble will you find yourself in when it is revealed that you did not report when legally required to do so?\n\nVery tricky...
64142
Jeezzz...that's alarming.  first go online and check out megan's law.  see if he's registered.  if you already know, call your local authorities and ask them what they think about the situation.  also call any child protection agency and alert them, ask them what they think.  and you can do this all anonymously. You can also contact any state or nation-wide organizations that work with protecting children.  it's good that this child has you watching out for them.  good luck with this.  it can be a dicey thing to interfere on behalf of someone else even if it's the right thing to do.   just make sure you're absolutely sure and all your 'ducks' are in a row so to speak, legally.  \n\npeace.
668283
Contact the state attorney generals office. I witnessed a CSP of minor and I'm a Federal Agent...if it would not of been for my testimony the offender could of easily walked. You owe it to the children to do everything in your power to lock that SOB up!!
691411
are you the child's relative. I can probably answer you if i had more info to go on. I just went throught this myself.
972286
Friend - That depends on your age and state laws, but yes, its not unlikely they can legally enforce it if you are under 18.  And just a suggestion...I would go along with it no matter what the situation was cause they are the ones in control at the time and place.  GBU
288756
Call CPS and expose your case!\n\nIMMEDIATELY!!
1045878
I am not sure what questions you are reffering to, but as an educator, I am required to report.  Yes, the system is a bit messed up. I have seen children taken away for little things, and nothing done in cases of major abuse.   CPS is required to look into anything that is reported. If a family has identified problems on their own, I encourage them to get help. Go to counseling, whatever they need to do to get out of trouble. It is the parent's responsiblity to take care and protect our children.  If they can not, someone needs to protect the child. Unfortunately, CPS is overwhelmed and needs an overhaul.
642898
Call DHS and report them.  I think you can remain anonymous when you do.  DHS will look into it and report anything they find wrong.  The police may eventually need to be involved, but whatever helps the child is best.
1164383
Consult your attorney.   \n\nIf you decide to continue on with Child Protective Services - just tell them the truth.   CPS will not take your child away for shoplifting.\n\nCalm down and good luck!
62543
Do you have it set up thru a child support agency or social services?  They should have a record of it.  All you would have to do is call.