As a deeply affected individual, I understand the pain and trauma that wrongful removals can have on both children and parents. Our current system, which was established to ensure the safety of innocent children, has diverged from its noble cause. It is now inflicting needless harm instead by tearing families apart, often without proper evidence or due process. This system now works against California’s many low-income families and communities of color, prejudicedly targeting them while profiting from foster care placements.

Parents’ constitutional rights are being brushed aside, and children are unjustly taken away from their families, subjected to an alien environment that can leave a lifelong scar on their psyche. The systemic implications of such blatant disregard for family integrity are significant and alarming. On a national level, per the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, nearly 32% of children taken into custody by CPS are cases of wrongful removal. This alarming figure is not only a clear violation of basic human rights but also a reproach to our democracy.

Our demand is not only for the cessation of this glaring injustice. It is a call for transparency and accountability in California’s Child Protective Services (CPS). Urgent reforms need to be implemented to realign the system with its original purpose - the safeguarding of children, not estrangement from their families.

1. End Unlawful Child Removals

CPS routinely removes children without proper evidence or legal justification, violating the Fourteenth Amendment right to family integrity.

Fact: In 2021, 30% of foster care placements were due to “neglect” tied to poverty (e.g., lack of housing), not abuse (CCWIP, 2021).

Legal Precedent: In Rogers v. County of Los Angeles (2022), a federal court found CPS violated parental rights by removing children without a warrant.

We demand CPS follow federal law (Santosky v. Kramer, 1982), which requires clear and convincing evidence before removing children from their homes.

2. Stop False and Malicious Allegations

Unsubstantiated and anonymous reports are being weaponized against innocent families, leading to traumatic investigations and unnecessary separations.

Fact: 75% of CPS reports nationwide are ultimately unsubstantiated (NCCPR, 2020).

Case Example: In Doe v. Sacramento County (2020), a mother lost custody for 6 months based on a false allegation, later proven untrue.

We demand CPS verify all anonymous reports with independent evidence before launching invasive investigations.

3. Protect Children from CPS-Induced Trauma

Being placed in foster care causes severe emotional harm and long-term trauma.

Fact: Children in foster care are 4x more likely to develop PTSD compared to the general population (JAMA Pediatrics, 2023).

Fact: 28% of California foster youth experience 5+ placements, further compounding their trauma (CDSS, 2022).

We demand CPS prioritize family preservation, trauma-informed care, and kinship placements to protect children’s mental health.

4. Ensure CPS Accountability and Transparency

CPS workers often ignore legal guidelines without facing consequences.

Audit Finding: A 2020 California State Auditor report found 43% of CPS cases lacked proper documentation for removals.

Case Example: In San Bernardino County (2021), CPS unlawfully entered a home without a warrant, violating Welfare & Institutions Code § 306.

We demand mandatory legal training for CPS staff and independent oversight to ensure compliance with the law.

5. End Racial and Economic Discrimination

Low-income families and communities of color are disproportionately targeted by CPS investigations and child removals.

Fact: Black children in California are 2.3x more likely to be removed than white children (CalYOUTH Study, 2022).

ICWA Violations: Native American children remain overrepresented in foster care despite the Indian Child Welfare Act.

We demand mandatory anti-bias training and enforcement of federal protections like ICWA.

6. Stop the Profit Motive in Foster Care

Current federal funding incentivizes removing children instead of supporting families.

Fact: California receives $2.7 billion annually for foster care but only $400 million for family prevention services (CDSS, 2023).

Investigation: An NPR exposé (2021) revealed counties prioritize foster placements to secure federal funding.

We demand a reallocation of funds to housing assistance, mental health care, and poverty-alleviation programs.

7. Establish Independent Oversight

CPS workers operate under broad legal immunity, shielding them from accountability—even for misconduct.

Fact: Under California Government Code § 820.2, CPS workers are immune from most legal consequences.

Case Example: In San Diego County (2020), a CPS worker falsified records to justify a removal—yet faced no disciplinary action.

We demand an independent oversight commission with investigative power and the ability to hold CPS workers accountable for rights violations.

Our Demands:

1. Stop Unlawful Removals – Require clear and convincing evidence before separating families.

2. Ensure Accountability – Establish independent oversight with the power to investigate and discipline.

3. End Financial Incentives – Redirect funding from foster care to family support services.

4. Protect Constitutional Rights – Follow legal procedures and respect family integrity.

5. Stop Racial Bias – Implement anti-bias training and enforce ICWA compliance.

Why This Matters:

The trauma of wrongful removals is irreversible—for both children and parents. Families deserve justice, not wrongful separation. We cannot allow a system designed to protect children to destroy families instead.

Your voice matters demand justice 

Call to Action:

Sign and share this petition. Together, we can demand change, protect families, and ensure CPS is held accountable.