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Texas Politician Calls Child Protective Services on Opponent

JBG

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One of the things I have been concerned about over the years is the potential for abuse of Child Protective Services. Apparently a Texas Congressional candidate got on the wrong side of a dispute with his opponent 'Political dirty trick': False claim of child abuse alleged. One candidate allegedly invented a child abuse allegation out of thin air against his opponent.

These allegations can be very disruptive in that CPS will, on occasion, take away custody on an "emergency" basis first and ask questions later. In this case, apparently and from a quick skim of the civil litigation complaint spawned by this false report (link) CPS was called as a result of an emergency room visit by one of the children resulting from pain from athletic participation. The candidate arranged for the report, and then arranged for the allegations to be fed to the press.

If it weren't for personal experience with malicious calls I would have serious doubts about the veracity of this incident. However, our family was the victim of a few of these.

Typically a CPS visit starts in a very traumatic manner. A white van shows up at a late hour, usually after dinner time, for an "emergency"visit. If the two social workers who arrive, in their sole discretion, think there's an emergency they can take the kids with them.

Our merry voyage started when a special ed meeting broke up in disorder after the chair wanted to declassify the autistic son. My wife was visibly upset. CPS was called on her for coming back to the school to ask for another meeting. The complaint, and a companion complaint against me, was dismissed as "unfounded." There were two more, even more ridiculous and all dismissed as "unfounded."

In short, because of the anonymity of the report to CPS and the drastic action and loss of reputation stemming from such a report, there is very serious potential for abuse. And because of concerns about "racism" CPS can't, at least initially, take into account the apparently orderly nature of the families under investigation.
 
One of the things I have been concerned about over the years is the potential for abuse of Child Protective Services. Apparently a Texas Congressional candidate got on the wrong side of a dispute with his opponent 'Political dirty trick': False claim of child abuse alleged. One candidate allegedly invented a child abuse allegation out of thin air against his opponent.

These allegations can be very disruptive in that CPS will, on occasion, take away custody on an "emergency" basis first and ask questions later. In this case, apparently and from a quick skim of the civil litigation complaint spawned by this false report (link) CPS was called as a result of an emergency room visit by one of the children resulting from pain from athletic participation. The candidate arranged for the report, and then arranged for the allegations to be fed to the press.

If it weren't for personal experience with malicious calls I would have serious doubts about the veracity of this incident. However, our family was the victim of a few of these.

Typically a CPS visit starts in a very traumatic manner. A white van shows up at a late hour, usually after dinner time, for an "emergency"visit. If the two social workers who arrive, in their sole discretion, think there's an emergency they can take the kids with them.

Our merry voyage started when a special ed meeting broke up in disorder after the chair wanted to declassify the autistic son. My wife was visibly upset. CPS was called on her for coming back to the school to ask for another meeting. The complaint, and a companion complaint against me, was dismissed as "unfounded." There were two more, even more ridiculous and all dismissed as "unfounded."

In short, because of the anonymity of the report to CPS and the drastic action and loss of reputation stemming from such a report, there is very serious potential for abuse. And because of concerns about "racism" CPS can't, at least initially, take into account the apparently orderly nature of the families under investigation.

AMERICA @ 2018

The really sad part is that so few have any interest in doing better.
 
AMERICA @ 2018

The really sad part is that so few have any interest in doing better.

But you agree with it since you agree with trump’s tactics of attacking an opponent without any truth. You are the FAILED INTELLIGENTSIA!
 
One of the things I have been concerned about over the years is the potential for abuse of Child Protective Services. Apparently a Texas Congressional candidate got on the wrong side of a dispute with his opponent 'Political dirty trick': False claim of child abuse alleged. One candidate allegedly invented a child abuse allegation out of thin air against his opponent.

These allegations can be very disruptive in that CPS will, on occasion, take away custody on an "emergency" basis first and ask questions later. In this case, apparently and from a quick skim of the civil litigation complaint spawned by this false report (link) CPS was called as a result of an emergency room visit by one of the children resulting from pain from athletic participation. The candidate arranged for the report, and then arranged for the allegations to be fed to the press.

If it weren't for personal experience with malicious calls I would have serious doubts about the veracity of this incident. However, our family was the victim of a few of these.

Typically a CPS visit starts in a very traumatic manner. A white van shows up at a late hour, usually after dinner time, for an "emergency"visit. If the two social workers who arrive, in their sole discretion, think there's an emergency they can take the kids with them.

Our merry voyage started when a special ed meeting broke up in disorder after the chair wanted to declassify the autistic son. My wife was visibly upset. CPS was called on her for coming back to the school to ask for another meeting. The complaint, and a companion complaint against me, was dismissed as "unfounded." There were two more, even more ridiculous and all dismissed as "unfounded."

In short, because of the anonymity of the report to CPS and the drastic action and loss of reputation stemming from such a report, there is very serious potential for abuse. And because of concerns about "racism" CPS can't, at least initially, take into account the apparently orderly nature of the families under investigation.

I've had much the same experience. I'll leave it at that.
 
But you agree with it since you agree with trump’s tactics of attacking an opponent without any truth. You are the FAILED INTELLIGENTSIA!

You are not even trying to listen.














or somethin
 
It is a real thing. I've been through it; someone made false claims to CPS for revenge and we had to clear ourselves of the accusations.


It is horrific and ought to be a felony.
 
This is not a new thing. When I was growing up, we lived next door to a horrible woman and her two daughters (mid-1990s). My aunt started living with us and had a boyfriend who was a black trucker (his race is important to this story). The woman was very much against interracial relationships. My aunt got pregnant, and the woman started going out of her way to cause a lot of trouble for our family, including arguing about everything, complaining that my siblings were going onto her porch and breaking things (my family did not go near her property), and even yanking my sister up by her overalls one day, on our porch (sister was about 6 or 7 years old and really small) because she was again accusing her of going in her yard. She called CPS on us at least 3 different times. All allegations were found to be unfounded (it became almost a social call after the first round of questioning because even the CPS workers knew it was about a feud not actual abuse or neglect). But they have to investigate every allegation.
 
This is not a new thing. When I was growing up, we lived next door to a horrible woman and her two daughters (mid-1990s). My aunt started living with us and had a boyfriend who was a black trucker (his race is important to this story). The woman was very much against interracial relationships. My aunt got pregnant, and the woman started going out of her way to cause a lot of trouble for our family, including arguing about everything, complaining that my siblings were going onto her porch and breaking things (my family did not go near her property), and even yanking my sister up by her overalls one day, on our porch (sister was about 6 or 7 years old and really small) because she was again accusing her of going in her yard. She called CPS on us at least 3 different times. All allegations were found to be unfounded (it became almost a social call after the first round of questioning because even the CPS workers knew it was about a feud not actual abuse or neglect). But they have to investigate every allegation.
Spiteful neighbors and ex-spouses are common sources of the complaints. I had a friend with a retarded and mentally disturbed daughter. The marriage broke up after about 22 years, give or take. When their daughter was briefly institutionalized the estranged mother reported, to the equivalent service to CPS for people over 18, that the father routinely sodomized the daughter at a young age. The daughter, who basically would repeat anything the mother wanted said, vouched for her story.

I believe it was all lies.
 
One of the things I have been concerned about over the years is the potential for abuse of Child Protective Services. Apparently a Texas Congressional candidate got on the wrong side of a dispute with his opponent 'Political dirty trick': False claim of child abuse alleged. One candidate allegedly invented a child abuse allegation out of thin air against his opponent.

These allegations can be very disruptive in that CPS will, on occasion, take away custody on an "emergency" basis first and ask questions later. In this case, apparently and from a quick skim of the civil litigation complaint spawned by this false report (link) CPS was called as a result of an emergency room visit by one of the children resulting from pain from athletic participation. The candidate arranged for the report, and then arranged for the allegations to be fed to the press.

If it weren't for personal experience with malicious calls I would have serious doubts about the veracity of this incident. However, our family was the victim of a few of these.
~~Snip~~

Our merry voyage started when a special ed meeting broke up in disorder after the chair wanted to declassify the autistic son. My wife was visibly upset. CPS was called on her for coming back to the school to ask for another meeting. The complaint, and a companion complaint against me, was dismissed as "unfounded." There were two more, even more ridiculous and all dismissed as "unfounded."

In short, because of the anonymity of the report to CPS and the drastic action and loss of reputation stemming from such a report, there is very serious potential for abuse. And because of concerns about "racism" CPS can't, at least initially, take into account the apparently orderly nature of the families under investigation.

The most damaging false claims reported to CPS is where one parent falsely claims that the other is sexually abusing their child(ren). A simple accusation sets off a series of events. The Sheriff's Office is immediately notified. The accused is usually required to take a polygraph by the Sheriff's office, go through numerous interrogations by the Sheriff's Depart and CPS. And sometimes an additional polygraph expert can be ordered on behalf of CPS. While a polygraph might not be directly admissible in court, the Sheriff's office and CPS court, "if the accused fails", will make the accused life a living hell until acquitted or convicted. The child or children undergo a special interview(s), which are pretty effective in determining whether or not a given child has been sexually abused. And it can cost an accused thousands of dollars in legal fees - despite no wrongdoing. It can force the accused to move from the home for several months until cleared or indicted. Those type of expenses can be a bankruptcy type of expense.

Then if acquitted, one has a certain amount of time to have the "accusation" expunged from the State CPS records. That can be done by the accused or the accused attorney. But surprisingly, a lot of people ignore the Expungement letter and accusation become public record will following them for the rest of their lives. I know these things because I used to represent children with special needs in CPS court as Guardian ad Litem. I've spent many hours in CPS court watching every imaginable nightmare associated with children being in the system - in too hearings waiting for my docket time(s).

So the question becomes: Does society want authorities to look the other way when accusations are made? Way more children are truly victims than people being falsely accused. How do we know without some means of getting to the truth in such matters - without victimizing innocent people? Such accusations have to be addressed. Sadly, there are way too many incidents that are true. Children can't fend for themselves so the court can appoint one or all of the following on behalf of the State to be the eyes and ears for the court: A Licensed Professional to conduct a social history, an Attorney ad litem, and a Guardian ad litem. Until someone commits a verifiable crime, then most of these type matters are still civil cases. Civil courts are called the Palace of Lies. There's only a couple of things that will provoke a civil court to place someone in jail in civil cases. The biggie is, "failure to appear". Lying is so commonplace in civil cases that most DAs won't take actions.
 
It is a real thing. I've been through it; someone made false claims to CPS for revenge and we had to clear ourselves of the accusations.


It is horrific and ought to be a felony.

It is a complex problem. We need the CPS for those without a voice. But it also provides an easy avenue for revenge where one can remain anonymous.

I agree the penalty should be very severe for false claims. Because even though you are cleared I feel it leaves an asterisk next to your name.
 
It is a complex problem. We need the CPS for those without a voice. But it also provides an easy avenue for revenge where one can remain anonymous.

I agree the penalty should be very severe for false claims. Because even though you are cleared I feel it leaves an asterisk next to your name.
No question. Sometimes it's obvious who filed the complaint or directed its filing. One could sue that person and name "John Doe" defendants as well. Depending on the state of immunity for public officials and depending if they want to put themselves and family into the middle of a litigious war with their government and in some cases childrens' school.
 
It is a real thing. I've been through it; someone made false claims to CPS for revenge and we had to clear ourselves of the accusations.


It is horrific and ought to be a felony.

Someone accused my then 7 year old son of doing something a long with another boy.
the cops were called I had CPS out at my house and everything else.

I was furious. Once they pressed the boy he admitted that he lied because he was tired of getting in trouble at school.
Both my son and the other boy he accused both had the same story. they didn't do anything to him etc ...

No they don't know the implications. It could have affected my job in a very negative way.
 
Someone accused my then 7 year old son of doing something a long with another boy.
the cops were called I had CPS out at my house and everything else.

I was furious. Once they pressed the boy he admitted that he lied because he was tired of getting in trouble at school.
Both my son and the other boy he accused both had the same story. they didn't do anything to him etc ...

No they don't know the implications. It could have affected my job in a very negative way.
My older son gave his younger son a hickey. Resulted in a CPS complaint.
 
stuff like that should be no better than filing a false police report.
 
The most damaging false claims reported to CPS is where one parent falsely claims that the other is sexually abusing their child(ren). A simple accusation sets off a series of events. The Sheriff's Office is immediately notified. The accused is usually required to take a polygraph by the Sheriff's office, go through numerous interrogations by the Sheriff's Depart and CPS. And sometimes an additional polygraph expert can be ordered on behalf of CPS. While a polygraph might not be directly admissible in court, the Sheriff's office and CPS court, "if the accused fails", will make the accused life a living hell until acquitted or convicted. The child or children undergo a special interview(s), which are pretty effective in determining whether or not a given child has been sexually abused. And it can cost an accused thousands of dollars in legal fees - despite no wrongdoing. It can force the accused to move from the home for several months until cleared or indicted. Those type of expenses can be a bankruptcy type of expense.

Then if acquitted, one has a certain amount of time to have the "accusation" expunged from the State CPS records. That can be done by the accused or the accused attorney. But surprisingly, a lot of people ignore the Expungement letter and accusation become public record will following them for the rest of their lives. I know these things because I used to represent children with special needs in CPS court as Guardian ad Litem. I've spent many hours in CPS court watching every imaginable nightmare associated with children being in the system - in too hearings waiting for my docket time(s).

So the question becomes: Does society want authorities to look the other way when accusations are made? Way more children are truly victims than people being falsely accused. How do we know without some means of getting to the truth in such matters - without victimizing innocent people? Such accusations have to be addressed. Sadly, there are way too many incidents that are true. Children can't fend for themselves so the court can appoint one or all of the following on behalf of the State to be the eyes and ears for the court: A Licensed Professional to conduct a social history, an Attorney ad litem, and a Guardian ad litem. Until someone commits a verifiable crime, then most of these type matters are still civil cases. Civil courts are called the Palace of Lies. There's only a couple of things that will provoke a civil court to place someone in jail in civil cases. The biggie is, "failure to appear". Lying is so commonplace in civil cases that most DAs won't take actions.

We are living in a "By any means necessary" culture. Even people running for elective office have lost their mental filters. CPS is to be called when you have actual proof or a solid suspicion that a child's care needs to be examined. It's not designed to be CPS "SWATing". Which is exactly what he did. He should be arrested or sued or both.
 
We are living in a "By any means necessary" culture. Even people running for elective office have lost their mental filters. CPS is to be called when you have actual proof or a solid suspicion that a child's care needs to be examined. It's not designed to be CPS "SWATing". Which is exactly what he did. He should be arrested or sued or both.

Texas does have penalties fo false reporting:

Criminal Penalty for False Report

Knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect in Texas is a State Jail Felony offense. The punishment range for this offense is 180 days to 2 years in a State Jail Facility and a fine up to $10,000. Further, if a person has been previously convicted of this same offense, a second offense is a Third Degree Felony which subjects the person to a prison term of 2 years up to 10 years.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bh...sely-reporting-child-abuse-neglect-texas/amp/

However: As shown on the link, it addresses “Good Will Reports”. No doubt a person who makes a report for political reasons might use “Good Will Reporting” as a defense. So let’s just hope that justice is served in the end. If the report is false then may the full penalty prescribed by law be imposed. If an investigation shows abuse has been committed then let’s also hope that justice is served.

But either way, the kids end up being the victims.
 
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