What kind of situation would you call CPS for?

Question

I’ve noticed in here many people advise others to call CPS for just a suspicion of anything. I find that very saddening. Do people not realize CPS can really screw up a person’s life? I guess I always think of the parents before I step to those measures. I’ve never known a parent to be neglectful or abusive but I really don’t think I could do that to a person if I only thought they were for a brief moment.

I understand if a child comes to a different parent’s home with bruises every day. I understand if a child admits to being neglected or abused. I understand if there is a serious matter that a person has spoken to the parents with but honestly, why report someone you don’t even know or don’t know the children?

I just find it sad that some people call CPS for the even smallest of things. While we should all protect the children--what makes a person feel they can just call CPS to ruin a person’s life?

What kind of a situation would you call CPS for? Why?

I've heard of people where CPS has gotten involved. Even though there was no wrong doing--social workers came to the house an hour everyday for the following three months. While that's not screwing up a person's life, it's still embarrassing. It's still scary to think in just a blink of an eye that could be your life. I think it's blatantly wrong!

ButterFly. I've emailed you several times. Why don't you just leave my questions alone and be mature by simply responding. I'm sorry if you feel this is a "game"--you really have no life if you think it is.

Answer 1

Suspicion is reason enough to call CPS. It's THEIR job to find proof, not yours. In fact, in many states, people such as teachers, daycare providers, etc are called "mandated reporters". If they have ANY suspicions and they DONT report them... they can get in BIG trouble.

Think of it this way... it's better to report someone on a suspicion and temporarily inconvenience them than to NOT report and wind up wishing you did after the child ends up seriously harmed or worse. Besides... CPS rarely has time to act upon a single report based on suspicion. However, if they get three of four reports on the same people... they tend to investigate. And if the person gets reported that many times... chances are the suspicions are correct.

Child abuse and neglect happen in MANY more cases than are ever reported. The statistics are staggering. You may not THINK you know anyone who has been abused... but I bet you do. In many cases, they don't recognize it as abuse (mom only beat me with that belt when I was bad) or they may have blocked it out of their minds and honestly not remember (this is classic psychological response to trauma).

Answer 2

It is our responsibility as a community to protect our children, especially the ones who are too young to speak for themselves. It is our job to call CPS if we feel the child is in danger, being neglected or otherwise abused.

CPS will only "really screw up a person's life" if there's been some wrong doing. If the caller was out of line, CPS would show up, look at the house, talk to the kids, and that would be the end of it.

I know some people call CPS repeatedly to cause trouble for others, but that's another situation.

Answer 3

I would never call CPS just on suspicion. I would, however, call if there was neglect, abuse or an unhealthy environment for the child. I understand what you are saying. We all need to protect children, but who is protecting the innocent parents.

Answer 4

I agree with you its a pretty sad deal with cps. i know they are to protect the children but what about the spiteful and angry ex-spouse who makes up stories? or the angry teenager who goes to school lying so she can move back to her fathers house because her bought her a car?
parents today are afraid to parent their children out of fear they will be "hated" or not their friend and a call/visit from cps is a favorite threat. This is so unfair to parents who take responsibility for their own actions so they set great examples for their children.
the reasons people should call cps, sexual abuse, neglect, psychical abuse (which have systems of their own withdrawn, acting out, hospital reports, mental problems etc.)
schools are a great line of defense , but so are neighbors , family and friends. people who really see this happening .

Answer 5

You would always think of the parents before calling CPS????? Who then is thinking about the poor children in the situation? Certainly not you if you are considering the parents feelings. I know that I will get a lot of thumbs down, but what if your suspicions were true, and you never called because "I always think of the parents", and that child wound in hospitalized in critical care, or worse, was killed? How could you live with yourself. CPS is an agency in place with trained investigators that know what to look for. When in doubt, make the call. They will get to the bottom of it. And as far as them "screwing up" peoples lives, then maybe, just maybe if a call to CPS is made, they will treat their innocent children better to ensure that the call is never made again.

Answer 6

The only way that I would ever call is if I had evidence that it was happening, like abuse. Cps is not a joke.

Answer 7

well, if the parent or parents were doin drugs and ignoring the kids, or abusing them or even if the house is not a good environment for the child(ren) then someone can call cps

Answer 8

OOPS...
I think people should worry about their own kids and maybe call cps if they see another parent like beating their kid.

what makes a person feel they can just call CPS to ruin a person’s life?
Because they have no life their ownself.

Answer 9

I would only do it if something serious was going on and i knew for sure. like beating a child, leaving them home alone when there not old enough, molesting...