I am a mother who has suffered from an unjust system. My daughter was taken from me by CPS in Lorain County under urgent circumstances. Despite a court order for shared parenting, my ex-husband withheld her from me and continually abused her. Despite filing three different police reports, neither the courts nor CPS took action, and shockingly, my daughter was returned to the very environment from which she was rescued. I attempted to fight this decision, but my efforts were thwarted by the ineptitude of two different lawyers. This system that was supposed to protect us, failed myself and my daughter when we needed it most.

But this is not just my story. Factually, we are part of a bigger national problem. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, an estimated 678,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States in 2018. In an unsettling number of these cases, the justice system too often fails to protect their best interests, often subjecting these children to further trauma.

The onus of change is on Lorain County CPS and the courts. There needs to be more accountability, more thorough investigations of abuse cases, and most importantly, the courts should side with the non-abuser given that the parent can provide proper care for the child. Currently, this is not the case and children within Lorain County, like my daughter, are suffering the consequences.

We urge Lorain County CPS and the courts to reform their practices and ensure that justice is not only served, but also that the best interests of the child are prioritized. Sign this petition to demand better from Lorain County CPS and courts for our children.