Should Child Protective Services be able to pull your child from school and interview them without anybody?

Question

I heard this story and the parents paid 20 thousand dollars in the fight to clear their name from the testimony of their 4 year old. Tell me it ain't so OR tell me why its' should be so.

Answer 1

HA HA! I went into an elementary school, while I was waiting two cops came in and questioned a small child. I sat and listened to the questions that they asked the child (1st or second grader); about Mom, Dad, siblings and himself. When I got home I instructed my children to only tell cops who they are and where they live and to refuse all other questions until I was there, not because I was guilty of any thing, but the way they lead him to making certain statements was unbelievable.

Answer 2

CPS goes to a school when they have a report of abuse. they go to the school so Parent in not there to influence child duriing interview. Child is interviewed about abuse (if any) From that point case is either dropped or an invesitgation is opened. During the investigation the child may or may not remain in the home depending on what is being invesitgated. Testimony of a 4 year old is hardly credible and very doubtful a child would be removed from home based on this alone. tell you aint so sorry I cant there are over zealous CPS workers and this does happen sadly. CPS cannot win if a child is abuse CPS is told they didnt do enough in cases of false testimony or no evidence sometime CPS acts too quickly and harshly! Parents can helpthemselves when a child gives false testimony take a lie detector test on your own! If anyone recalls the Mc Martin case years ago these children were coached into the bizzare tale they told which later turned out false but ruined the Mc Martin's lives! The why is simple over zealous workers looking for only ONE ANSWER!

Answer 3

No one should be interviewing a minor without at the very least a guardian present. It is too easy for interviewers to "coax" the answers that they want to hear out of a child.

Does CPS do this sort of thing- I'm sure they do and figure they can get away with it. In the case of a four year old's testimony, one has to take into consideration that children of this age will often say what they think the adults would like them to hear, mostly out of fear and intimidation. Think back to when you were this age and in school and then you hear that you are being called down the prinicpal's office. How did you feel?

It's a bad idea.

Answer 4

In cases like this, if the parent is around, they feel the child would be influenced to lie by the parents. On the flip side of the coin, a small child is scared and will often answer the social worker in a way that the child feels they are expected to answer. Having a teacher or trusted adult that the child knows (not the accuser or the accused) would go a long way to aleviate this issue.

Answer 5

Absolutely....unfortunately, the price of justice comes with flaws. However, sometimes if suspicion arrises for the sake of a child's safety, wouldn't you be glad someone investigated just to make sure. Every case is different, and deeper than what most people think. Remember, there are always two sides to each story. The generalizations are made and that's public view. It's hard not to criticize sometimes, but being involved about our laws and how they work is a way of finding out a lot answers.

Answer 6

This is a toughie...

I think that CPS should be able to interview your child only if:

-You are suspected of abusing or neglecting your child.

-Your child is old enough to have full understanding of the question. Younger children may not understand completely what is expected of them and thus might give an answer that could be misinterpreted by the interviewers, which could end in disaster.

-Lastly, your child should only be interviewed by Child Protective Services if he/she is expected to give an honest, serious answer. Of course, all children should be expected to be honest; however, younger children may think of the interview as a 'game' and will give untrue answers that could be misinterpreted by the interviewers, leading to disastrous results. Also, children that have recently had a disagreement with their parents or are angry with their parents may give untrue answers just to get back at them.

Answer 7

Absolutely not! First off, there is already federal case law that says interviews of children in private schools without consent by government officials is unconstitutional (4th Amendment violation). Second, CPS is corrupt through and through and/or totally incompetent. They will coerce children and/or harrass them until they get the answers they want, which always means bias against the parents. CPS does not act in the best interest of children. It is a money making industry that destroys children and families regularly in America!

Please visit the site below and see how you can protect your children from these illegal violations of civil and human rights by CPS.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, Child Protective Services, have been given a free hand to do what they want with very very little to put them on a leash.

A few states require a child psychologist to be on hand, but now days you cant even trust them - as half are on a witch hunt and seek to make a name for themselves. A degree does not mean that the possessor has proper reasoning skills in the real world.

Answer 9

If the investigation includes their parents, then they can not be in the room with them. It can be intimidating to the child to have them there in those circumstances and the child would probably not answer honestly. In any case, I believe it is better to be safe than sorry. There are too many stories out there now days of kids that went to school with awkward bumps and bruises that were never reported, only to find out they were killed by their parent/guardian later.

Answer 10

I would think CPS could interview your child at school, however, I think it would be necessary for a school official, ie counselor, nurse, etc. to be present. In extreme cases of abuse, sometimes interviewing children at school is the only "safe" environment. If CPS were to show up at an abuser's home to interview a child, you don't think the child would have much to say, would you. They would be in fear as to what would happen to them after CPS left.