Every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive home environment. However, for many children under the care of Child Protective Services (CPS), safety is tragically not assured. Many children, who should be protected and nurtured by the system, are instead falling victim to its failures. It has become imperative that we address the grave injustices occurring within the CPS framework and demand meaningful reform.

Statistics reveal a distressing reality: approximately 546,000 children across the nation are confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect each year. While CPS is tasked with safeguarding these vulnerable souls, its actions can inadvertently contribute to the trauma these children experience. In about 75% to 78% of CPS cases, the primary reason for removal from the home is neglect, often linked to parental issues such as substance abuse or economic hardship. Other reasons include physical abuse (17%), sexual abuse (10%), and emotional maltreatment.

Moreover, children placed in out-of-home care often endure compounded trauma, facing neglect and abuse within the very system that vows to shield them. This horrific reality underscores the urgent need for a reformed approach to child welfare that truly prioritizes the well-being of children above all else.

We must take a stand to end the systemic failings of CPS, where children are metaphorically "trafficked" with the state's endorsement, rather than receiving the care and protection they need. With your support, we can push for nationwide reforms that ensure every child receives the dignity, respect, and loving care they deserve.

Join us in demanding accountability and transformation within Child Protective Services. Sign this petition to initiate the change that is long overdue—change that prioritizes the lives and futures of our most vulnerable citizens, our children. Let us together ensure that no more children suffer under the guise of protection. First hand  I know. I  was in a DV relationship and DCF /CPS knew and did safety plans to keep him away. I  ended up in the hospital do  to pregnancy complications. DCF removed my kids and tried to adopt one out and my other removed and placed with abusive father. Now 3 years later I've had custody and my children are suffering mentally at the hands of DCF  traumatizing my kids when it was not needed, THEY WERE SAFE.

 

This is my personal story: I have 5 children. 

I lost my son 

Jackson Hornbeck (6month)in 2018 to CPS NYS. I willingly gave my 

ex husband Daniel Sr. custody of Layla(3) and Daniel Doty Jr.(6) 

Without cps NYS involvement. 

(supervisor: Tiffany Cortez removed 

Jackson ONLY due to domestic violence with Arron Hornbeck, bio father

who was abusive to ME and MY CHILDREN. Instead of CPS in 

New York providing resources for a DV shelter, services to help. I was in the dark.

CPS Sullivan County NY, took 

Jackson placed him in 22 foster home not including the ones I don't know. Including the home 

of his alcoholic Aunt Kristie smith-Hornbeck. Before coming back to me 11/2019.

01/2020. CPS in New York didn't approve my romance with Jose Simms who lived 

in CT. CPS removed Jackson 01/2020, placed a 96-hour hold on Jackson 

after I told CPS I was pregnant with Jose Daughter Autumn. 

That's when I moved to Hartford, CT.

 NY CPS reached out to 

Hartford DCF and ask them to keep an eye on me. Jackson was 

placed in another 13 foster homes before returning to me 

11/2020 . Since, I moved to CT, 2/2020, Hartford DCF, (Raykeea Thompson and Supervisor: Juan Cruz in Connecticut) was 

involved 2/2020 along with many others and closed 6/2023. DCF of Hartford.

 

Fast-forward 06/23/2026 Manchester CT took Jackson Hornbeck(8), Autumn Simms(5) ,and Alexander Mason(1) on 6/23/2026 because of 

trauma my children have endured by Sullivan county NYS CPS, and Hartford DCF.(social 

worker: Raykeea Thompson and Supervisor: Juan Cruz in 

Connecticut), placed my Jackson with his biological dad Arron 

Hornbeck in 11/19/2021 Knowing that he was substantiated 

for child abuse and neglect of Jackson and his two half siblings 

Layla and Daniel on 11/2019 in Sullivan County, NY CPS court. 

Hartford, DCF transferred the case to Sullivan County, New 

York cps court and Arron ended up getting custody. (Raykeea 

Thompson, Hartford, CT DCF ) testified that Arron was a safe 

place. Despite the fact that she put everything in the petition 

about Arron being abusive to Jackson and his two half siblings. 

I couldn't provide a safe home for Jackson and Autumn due too 

domestic violence with Autumns father Jose. I went to a dv 

shelter 2/2022. After DCF already took my kids and lost everything. secured housing 6/2022 and reunified with 

Autumn 9/2022. I received a text on 2/28/2023 from Kristie 

Smith-Hornbeck Jackson's paternal aunt. "to come and get Jackson that he was waiting outside in the middle of a snow storm." 

That she has been taking care of Jackson the last 8 months." And she would ask for help arron would go ghost or make up an excuse.

Arron immediately became homeless after getting custody on

11/19/2021 and placed Jackson in Four Wind Psychiatric 

Center on 9/26/22, where it was clear Jackson Hornbeck was 

molested. 

 

Fast forward: I was granted custody of 

Jackson 2/28/23 I still had Hartford DCF involved AND STARTED DATING 

JAMES D MASON 9/24/2023 My son started exhibiting 

sexualized behaviors immediately on Autumn(2) 3/2023. I 

Reached out to DCF IMMEDIATELY.For services or help with 

children with problematic sexualized behaviors (PSB) AND THEY 

DID NO SERVICES NO REFERRALS. THEY START Building A 

CASE Against ME and husband . Jackson disclosed to me and to his pediatrician along with 211 youth mobile crisis Allison Velazquez that his father 

Arron and aunt Kristie did things to him.  

 

Here we are exactly 3 

years and nine months later and they took my children again on 

6/23/2026 for sexualized behaviors and now has us court 

ordered to do PSB which is DCF only can make those 

REFERRALS. I been asking DCF since 3/2023 for referrals for 

PSB. Jackson, who's diagnosed reactive attachment disorder autism depression. Severe anxiety

from being removed from me so many times since he was 6 

months old. The system has failed my child and is trying to 

point blame on me. Haven't seen or talked to my children 

since 7/2026 despite a court order. Their going after my husband 

of 5 years, James D. Mason because he was falsely accused of rape 15 years ago with an ex girlfriend who framed him and 

placed on the registry. This is wrong. Arron Hornbeck And 

Kristie Smith-Hornbeck molested my child Jackson. I have all 

the proof. From Jackson’s pediatrician. And DCF nor the police care 

too look into any of it. I even went to the extent to try to contact the news departments in Connecticut. No one is listening.