Three years ago, our world was shattered when our daughter was taken by Child Protective Services (CPS). We were a happy, healthy family. Not perfect, but we were making it work. Our daughter had just turned 3 and now she is nearing her 6th birthday. For the first few years, we were allowed video calls with her but about five months ago, all communication ceased without explanation.

We are not alone in this struggle. Across St. Louis and the nation at large, families are torn apart by CPS interventions that often lack transparency or accountability for their actions. According to the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform (NCCPR), as of 2017 there were nearly 443,000 children in foster care across America; an increase from previous years largely due to allegations of neglect rather than abuse.

The system is flawed and needs reforming urgently to ensure that it truly serves the best interests of children and their families rather than causing unnecessary harm through unfounded allegations or miscommunications.

We demand a thorough review of CPS practices including greater transparency in decision-making processes; more rigorous checks on allegations before action is taken; better communication with families affected by investigations; and increased accountability for any misconduct within the agency.

Our daughter was our miracle child - we never thought we could have kids until she came into our lives at 36 weeks pregnant - and every day without her feels like an eternity lost. We miss her dearly and yearn for justice not only for ourselves but also other families who have been unjustly separated by CPS's current practices.

Please sign this petition to demand transparency and accountability from Child Protective Services so no more families have to endure what we've been through. An demand immediate replacements of the children back to the families who's cases truly deserve it