My life was turned upside down when my precious children were unjustly extracted from my care while I was enduring a tumultuous period of homelessness. I had been residing in a family shelter after the death of my husband, raising our children single-handedly. Everything changed when a call from a disgruntled in-law to a Child Protective Service (CPS) worker resulted in my children being taken away, despite there being no allegations other than my homelessness. An entire year has passed, and still I have to fight tirelessly to reunite my family.

Parents' rights are protected under the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment, permitting the right to raise children without the undue interference of government, and against unwarranted search and seizures. The fact that CPS can operate outside of these legalities, acting with gross negligence and disregard for invasive practices and policies in place to preserve families, is a blatant violation of our rights as citizens.

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, parents have a constitutional right to be free from government interference in the upbringing of their children, unless there is proof of abuse or neglect. In my case, and numerous others, CPS violated this right without providing substantial evidence. Parents' rights, as protected under the Fourth Amendment, should be more than something inscribed on paper; they should be respected, upheld, and fiercely protected.

It is pressing that we hold CPS accountable for their negligence, to ensure that no family needs to suffer like mine. Demand that CPS and other government agencies adhere to their policies of preserving families, and respect the constitutional rights of parents. Stand with me today, in the name of all parents and guardians who have been unjustly separated from their children with no evident cause. Let's change the narrative and restore justice where it's due.

Please sign this petition to uphold parents' rights and demand Child Protective Services' accountability.