My name is Theresa, and I hail from Weirton, West Virginia. As a concerned grandmother, I initiate this petition to share the harrowing story of my granddaughter Peyton, a clear victim of our failing Child Protective Services (CPS). An innocent 11-year-old child, Peyton was subjected to numerous instances of abuse and neglect. Despite the countless pleas for incisive action from both neighbors and myself, the intervention in question hit a series of wrong notes.

Our state's CPS removed Peyton from her mother, not due to lack of concern on our part, but a few misinterpretations and miscommunications bogged down the due process. The result? Peyton was placed in foster care, a place that is statistically less safe for children. It is widely known and academically corroborated that children thrive when they are with family instead of in foster care. However, these facts seem to have been conveniently overlooked when matters of deep significance were dealt with.

Children are the future of any society, and nurturing them in safe and healthy environments ought to be the topmost priority of any welfare institution. The absolute neglect of this fundamental principle warrants impenetrable accountability and process rectitude from the end of CPS. As residents of West Virginia, we demand transformative changes within CPS and insist that family placement be given precedence over foster care, especially when families are more than willing and capable to provide a safe and nurturing environment.

Lend your voice to our fight for Peyton and countless other innocent children. We need your support. Sign this petition and insist on demanding accountability from West Virginia's CPS.