How To
By
eHow Legal Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Step1
Hire an attorney immediately if a complaint is filed against you with a child protection agency. Your child could be taken away from you. This must be taken seriously. Do so even if a child protection agency worker tells you that you don't need an attorney.
Step2
Find out what the complaint is. Share details with your attorney.
Step3
Do not confront the person whom you believe made the complaint. This could lead to accusations of witness tampering or alleged threats.
Step4
Be overly conscientious about making sure your child remains safe and unharmed in any way while the investigation is going on. If some kind of accident does happen, it is best not to cover it up because that might make you look guilty.
Step5
Talk only to your attorney. It is tempting to blurt out your frustrations to the agency workers with whom you meet, but you can give damaging information without realizing it. Have your attorney present at these meetings if possible. If this isn't possible, answer the agency workers' questions honestly.
Step6
Allow the workers into your home. In most states, you are required to allow them admittance.
Step7
Reveal nothing to the workers. Keep any information that may make you look guilty to yourself. However, you should not be hostile or rude. This will make you appear guilty. Be polite and civil.
Step8
Explain to your child what is going on in general terms: "These people want to make sure you are safe." Do not tell your child what to say when he or she is interviewed.
Step9
Remain calm. If the accusation is untrue, the agency will most likely realize that.
Step10
Ask friends and family to vouch for you to the agency.
Step11
Fight the accusation in court if it is untrue.
Comments
DreamLiving said
on 10/19/2008 There are many, many horror stories on parentalrights.org. You will not believe what has happened to families as you read that site and its examples. States make money on the children placed into adoption. Some states have made over one million dollars (that's over $1,000,000.00) this way. Don't even move into those counties. The stats are on the web. If you live there, move!
DreamLiving said
on 10/19/2008 If you homeschool, make sure you contact hslda.org (home school legal defense association). Also, keep abreast of the Parental Rights Act on parentalrights.org where an amendment is pending to keep UN measures from usurping the authority of our Constitution. The first problem is letting CPS have access to your children. Or, simultaneously, you forget that even with CPS, you have the right to remain silent. Get an experienced family law attorney. Go to an unbiased physician. Have a police officer vouch for you and testify on your behalf.
Wizard47 said
on 8/17/2008 If you have good children Beware these are the children they want. Remember the Salem Witch Trials. This is exactly how they work. Please Get a Good, Aggressive Trial Lawyer, your own. If you have to work 5 jobs, sell your assets, Beg, Borrow and Steal!!! This is what you must do. Good Luck To you all.
Wizard47 said
on 8/17/2008 I have a big problem with #4. If this happens again I will not Talk with them without a Lawyer. If you get family and friends to come in the worker just says They are in Denial. Letting them in the house they will say what they want to get your children. I went thru this for several Years on false allegations. I was friendly, cooperative, jumped thru all their hoops. And they just kept on lying. Never once did their so called Lawyers back me up. My Family and Friends and Ex Husbands family and Friends, all Backed me up. And They still tried to Adopt out my children. Please the number one Rule GET A LAWYER!!!!! my children are all of age now..Adults...and they are just as Fighting mad as I am and they are with me. There was nothing I could have done. Their intentions are to Just Adopt the Children out for Money, Money, Money. If you have good children BEWARE these are the children th
leonardh said
on 8/1/2008 To complete the entry below (that ran out of space)- Step 9- The agency does NOT care whether the accusation is true or not. They only care about MAKING IT STICK.
Step 10- See "How to Fight CPS" at American Family Rights Association website at http://familyrights.us