While too many parents are fighting the Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) for allegations that are not true, there are tens of thousands of children in the state of Texas that are believed to be in imminent danger of either abuse or neglect, according to The Dallas Morning News. In fact, over the course of two months in 2016, more than 3,400 children who were supposed to be monitored by a Child Protective Services caseworker were not seen even once by a caseworker. In the meantime, there were parents who were getting visits from CPS caseworkers who were wrongfully accused of abuse or neglect.
Classification of Cases
When cases are called into CPS, they are classified according to the level of safety threat the children in the report face. Extreme cases are classified as “Priority 1,” meaning that a caseworker should check on the child within 24 hours, preferably as early as possible. A Priority 1 case means that the child is at “risk of abuse or neglect that could result in death or serious harm.” A Priority 1 case requires a caseworker to check on the child within 24 hours, while a Priority 2 case requires a caseworker to check on the child within 72 hours.
The Worst Day in 2016
However, on March 3, which happens to be the worst day in 2016 for CPS statistics, 5,917 children who were classified in Priority 1 and Priority 2 cases were not seen within the mandatory deadline times for their cases. Harris County CPS seems to be the worst county in Texas for missing deadlines. In fact, approximately 250 of the worst calls that came in, which accounted for 13 percent of Priority 1 children in Harris County, had not been seen by a caseworker.
The Other Side of the Coin
However, on the other side of the coin, CPS has had time to go to the homes of families who should have never been the focus of any child protection investigations, taking the children, and sending them off to foster-to-adoption homes. How do they have the time to do this when they do not have the time to visit children who are truly in danger of abuse or neglect – or are already being abused and neglected? A Texas lawyer referred to these CPS antics as a for-profit state kidnapping scheme.
If you are the subject of a Child Protective Services investigation in Texas, you need to protect yourself and your children. Contact the Law Office of Lauren Cain today to discuss your case and your concerns. It is best to be safe than sorry where your children’s lives are concerned.