Niece is eight, brother is a single father. He’s dropping her off outside the closed campus of her elementary school, alone, without adequate clothing, over an hour before school starts.

He won’t let family watch her anymore because “she can take care of herself now”.

He’s not making sure she’s bathed, groomed, or brushes her teeth. She’s gone entire weeks without a bath until family takes care of her and gets her into a bathtub.

She’s making her own meals now.

He said he won’t help her with homework because it stresses him out and it’s the teachers job to teach so she shouldn’t have homework.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The social worker I spoke to asked if she had burned herself cooking for herself. I said not yet. She asked if she was beaten or sexually abused. No, my brother would rather make you want to jump off a bridge yourself just to get away from him. She asked if she was physically disabled and couldn’t bath or groom herself. I said no, she hasn’t learned how yet. She asked if another family member could teach her. I told the social worker we’re not allowed near her anymore, and her father would rather sleep or play video games than be a parent. They were out there two weeks ago for someone else calling in a report and they investigated and left. That’s not even the first time they’ve been out there. The school is filled with mandated reporters and they have had so so many instances to file a report for. Now I understand why they haven’t. No one cares.

I’d be completely shocked if they went to the house to speak to them. I am not the first to call, but it’s truly heartbreaking to report a family member and have a social worker make you feel like your family member’s neglect is their last priority. I didn’t know we were waiting for something truly horrible to happen before anything could be done.

Hi everyone, I’m at the end of my rope and desperately need advice on how to help six kids (all 19 and under) who are living in a severe neglect situation.

​The Living Conditions:

​Hoarding & Trash: Half of the main living space is packed wall-to-wall with junk and clutter to the point where walking paths are somewhat blocked.

​Hygiene & Sanitation: The entire house is sticky and smells heavily of animal urine because their dog is neglected. There is visible mold in the home, and everything is filthy.

​Lack of Life Skills / Fear: The two oldest kids work (one full-time, one part-time). I don’t blame them for not cleaning—filth is all they’ve ever known, and they get yelled at or punished by the parents if they move or touch their parents' items.

​Educational & Social Neglect:

​The children are homeschooled, but none of them are performing anywhere near grade-level standards.

​We live in a "no-notice" / low-regulation homeschool state, which makes oversight nearly non-existent.

​The kids severely lack basic social skills because the only time they are ever allowed to leave the house is to go to church.

​Prior CPS Involvement:

CPS was called in the past, but the case was closed without action because the house technically had running water, electricity, and the kids had clothes.

​I feel sick seeing how these kids are living and knowing their education and social development are being stunted, but I don't know how to navigate the system effectively.

Pretty obvious from the title trying to figure out if I make a CPS report about possible child neglect can I stay anonymous? If I make the report, is there a way for somebody to figure out who made it. I’m not confident if I’m right on if this is child neglect and I don’t want it to backlash at me if I’m wrong. I know these things might vary from state state.

Sorry for any formatting. I'm on my phone.

Some backstory: my friend, Katy (34) has a husband, Mike (34). And a lot of this was told to me by Katy herself.

A year or so ago Mike cheated on Katy and it has been a shit show since.

She and him worked through it and went to counseling. But it didn't seem to help. He has been through periods of drinking heavily since. He chases his wife around the house yelling at her and blaming it on her and his drinking saying things like he resents her for making him a dad. He claimed he was stressed because she stopped being the breadwinner to be a stay at home mom for her kids, her health and her own mental health. He says she has no interest in her and she HAS to have sex with him at least every other day for him to be happy. He wants her to work out and be fit (she is a very skinny person to begin with). He accuses her of cheating.

They claimed it was because of the stress and that he worked second shift and never got to see any of his friends. But he also never contacted any of his friends. He got moved to first and his excuse for this round of drunken behavior was that he was celebrating. Well that drinking extended to the work week and he was coming home drunk from work and passing out.

During that week, their 5yo Bob threatened to kill his teacher and was given an in school suspension. When Mike was told, he said he would whoop his kids ass. When everyone was home that evening, Mike slapped his 5 yo really hard in the face. Katy picked him up and tried to console him and Mike yelled at her to not interrupt when he was disciplining his kids.

Now, my husband used to be really good friends with Mike. They used to go to highschool together. When I told him what happened he asked if Mike was kicked out, reported, divorced or anything. I said no and he suggested we call a child abuse hotline and report it because his behavior has just been escalating and we were worried about her and the kids.

So the next day I called. In the process the hotline asked me about the 5 yos behavior and any other concerning behavior with the kids. So I was honest and told them that two years prior, their oldest child (9years now but 7 at the time) showed odd sexual behavior towards my son (6 now but 4 at the time). On four different instances after he had been talked to about it. I posted it on my main account and got ripped to shreds for allowing my child to be in that kind of environment. So I subtly didn't allow them around each other unless it was in public.

She got a visit from CPS yesterday and messaged me confused. She expected the report about her husband hitting their child because the kids counselor had to report it. But she didn't know why they were also investigating sexual allegations that as she said happened years ago and was "taken care of." She asked if I talked to them and I had to come clean.

Obviously she is angry and upset. She keeps reminding me how serious it is. I clearly know that. She is scared her kids will be taken from her when they find out she smokes pot (it is legal here) and how much of an alcoholic her husband is. She claims her husband was taking steps to get help this past weekend and I should have talked to her about my discomfort with her children first.

But what was I supposed to say? That I didn't think her brushing it off as kid curiosity and it not happening again was handling it? That her children are disrespectful, don't listen, and just overall have poor behavior and I don't want to be around that or have my own kids around that?

I just want her and her kids to be happy and healthy. I don't want to hurt them. But now I'm wondering if I should have left the odd behavior from the oldest kid out of the report and only reported he husband hitting the 5 yo. Did I do what was morally right or did I offer too much information?

TLDR: my good friend's husband is an alcoholic and keeps making excuses for his poor behavior. The youngest of their children threatened to kill his teacher and in response the husband hit him in the face. So I reported them to CPS. In the process of questioning I brought up some weird behavior from their other kid and now they're investigating him for that.

I see a lot of people refer to their caseworkers as "social workers." In my state they're some kind of permanency/conservatorship caseworker in title and don't require a social work license for the role.

I figured people keep calling workers social workers because of how heavily ingrained CPS has been with social work and social services overall, but was wondering if in some states being a licensed social worker was a requirement to work in conservatorship.

I'm a former worker, I left awhile back. I got my license towards the end of my time there. You can't be a social worker in title unless you have an active and clear license and are working in a social worker role.

My child’s been out of my custody since mid June. 90 day guardianship got extended. Have completed 4 weeks of inpatient rehab, 8 weeks of outpatient, attend daily aa meetings, and see a therapist. My dcf worker called and said my mom needs to get a full time job and her own car or “that kid isn’t coming back to that house” (her words.) she also called my mom manipulative, said she needs to get her shit together, and actually said she was the reason I am an alcoholic. Is this normal? Isn’t the case about me and how im doing? Why is my mother wrapped up in this? Should I get a lawyer?

Hi I'm 16 years old, my cousin is 12. We're very close, and we have been since we were little. A couple days ago, I spent the night at her house so we could watch a tv show we'd been waiting on. I was already nervous because I knew her parents were bad. They yelled at her constantly for everything.. She told me how she picked up a crumb off of the carpet and her father started berating her. And I know this is true because I've seen it happen before, but I never expected it to go this far. My cousin didn't bring her grandfather his food like instructed. And the next day her parents were getting onto her about it.. Yelling and all. They took away her only contact with the outside world, her super old laptop (literally older than her). She panicked and went to go hide. I hear yelling downstairs and I hear running and she runs into her room and using all of her strength is trying her best to hold the door closed as her mother tries to get in. Her mom gets in and starts beating her with a belt. My cousin is screaming and shaking. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there before calling my dad to pick me up. I was so scared. I'd never in my life seen someone hit their kid before. And I can't even imagine how terrified my cousin was. I tell my mom everything and she starts crying so I suggested calling CPS. My mother says no because my brother was once in foster care and he bad experience and everything and theres no way anyone we know or us would be able to take her if she got taken away. We're just really scared of her being put in the system but I know she can't stay there anymore when all her parents do is hit and yell at her. Before leaving her house, I gave her my comfort plushie I sleep with every night.. And she told me this wasn't the first time this has happened. I knew already that they were very verbally abusive to her older sister before she moved out.. But I never in my life expected them to raise their hands at her. I'm so scared. I don't know what to do. I don't know what the right thing would be. My cousin is so sweet and funny and she only ever acts out at home.. I don't want her to end up in foster care because what if that family is bad too? What if I never see her again? Please help.

My granddaughter is being abused by my ex son-in-law. He has primary custody and is verbally and physically abusive. One of my grandsons just sent his mom a video of his dad screaming cuss words at my 8 year old granddaughter while he's "helping" her with her homework. She is having challenges in school and he's screaming obscenities at her for not getting the lesson. The grandson is now in serious trouble for sending the video and there is no communication now with either child. CPS has not been helpful in addressing previous complaints about the father and I'm wondering what other avenues we might have to address the abuse. One more thing, this guy is a law enforcement officer who has major anger and rage issues.

I share my story here and get downvoted to hell. I was proven innocent day one of my case yet you guys think it’s justified to harass me? I lost my sister due to this case. Not CPS fault but that’s the type of shit that can happen just for having a case open. My birth experience and pretty much a year of my baby’s life were ruined by CPS. Why do you all act like that’s ok simply because I have Bipolar?

Hi ya'll im a bitchy autistic mama who's baby girl will be 3 months october 30th. I love her deeply. Ive got a question for my fellow autistic parents who probably have been told by pediatricians they cant wear headphones. Well first cps is involved because my child wasnt gaining weight fast enough. However on higher calorie formula she gained 5-7 ounces a day. Last she was weighed at was 10lbs 6oz and shes gotta be 12lbs 4oz by 10/30. She was 6lbs 2oz at birth. The pediatrician isn't even a pediatrician but a practicing nurse practitioner. So im not sure is wearing headphones okay and should I get a second opinion

Edit: I havent missed an appointment and shes fed 5-6oz regularly. I myself have hypothyroidism which runs in my family but my baby is too young to be tested. And the cps worker was a bit rude saying she doesn't care what we think. Yet my baby is gaining weight steadily. She lost 4oz while on the PNP's schedule and gained weight when we changed it up. To 4-5oz every 2 hours during the day and 5-6oz every 4 hours at night from 12am, 4am then 6am. So the schedule is have is 12am, 4am, 6am, 8am, 10am, etc. My bf and i are wondering if we should just keep up what we're doing. My mom has had issues with cps and says cps isn't necessary as im a mature loving mom and my bf is an intelligent mature loving man. It hasn't hindered us at all.

Edit for this subreddit: someone r/autisticparents told me to post it here for some advice from professionals

My boyfriend and I got into an altercation and I went to the police after because it got out of hand. My bf was arrested and charged with DV. My bf isn’t the dad of my kids.
When I went to the police, my daughter stated he had pushed her. I didn’t see that so I learned of it when she told the cops.
I asked her about it the next day trying to understand what had happened. I asked how he did it and what he did afterwards. After her clarifying, I understood he was trying to put her in her room and closed the door so we can argue in our room. Which we normally do. We keep our issues in our room and figure it out not in front of the kids.
Dcfs showed up a couple days after, last Tuesday, the altercation happened on Friday through Saturday morning.
Dcfs interviewed and checked the home. Social worker asked me what happened, it was a blur at this point. (I have a really bad memory bc of past trauma)
I told her what happened, bits and pieces of what I would remember as I spoke about it. She interviewed my oldest daughter and checked her physically.
She interviewed my youngest as well.
She came to me afterwards saying my oldest told her he pushed her and that her head hurt afterwards and that my daughter said I told her he was putting her in the room. I explained to her that I questioned her to understand her and be there for her.
The restraining order expired this Friday. ( 3 days after her visit and he has came back since) we had just moved in about 2 months ago. I told her I wasn’t sure if my bf and I were staying together or not.
I’ve been very anxious about what’s going to happen.
She seemed serious and understandably so. I know she’s here to make sure my kids are safe and have everything they need. Any social worker can try and explain to me what I should expect?
My anxiety is so bad, I keep looking at my kids thinking I’m going to lose them and my relationship, our home.. I cannot imagine losing my kids nor the family we have.

I’m 23 and at college. My mother lives at home with my father, aunt, and three minors, including my autistic cousin.

There’s constant screaming, humiliation, and bullying, along with hitting, hair pulling, scratching until bleeding, forced feeding, and withholding food as punishment. No physical scars and incidents are far apart. A lot of this may be emotional abuse which is harder to prove. Some incidents I witnessed; others my sister told me about. My mother also has a history of suicide threats and attempts during conflicts.

A psychiatrist made a child-abuse report, but I minimized what happened because I was scared. I want to correct it, but fear retaliation against those at home, another suicide attempt, and consequences for our family’s immigration status. We have H‑1B, H‑4, and student/dependent visas.

I feel trapped and want the children safe and my mother to get treatment. Has anyone navigated something similar? What practical help is available for safety planning and immigration advice?

I'm a mother going through an extremely difficult
situation with my teenage daughter.

Last night, my 14-year-old daughter made an allegation of physical abuse against me to the police. I maintain that the allegation is completely false. She even went as far as doing something to her own face that left it red and possibly bruised.

I have a ring doorbell camera and overheard her telling her boyfriend “ maybe I should do something to myself and say it was her to teach her a lesson.” Unfortunately, I don’t have the paid subscription so I didn’t capture the audio and my screen recording on my phone wasn’t fast enough.

This is now the 3rd time she has accused me of abuse. The previous 2 allegations were investigated and determined to be unfounded.

My daughter has significant behavioral and mental health challenges, and I've spent years trying to get her appropriate treatment. We are also going through a contentious divorce and custody situation, which
has made everything considerably more complicated.

what happens when a parent repeatedly finds themselves defending against accusations that are fabricated?

I'm in a situation where enforcing basic parental boundaries results in another police reports and I don't know how to protect myself while still being a responsible parent.

How did you continue parenting a child who would go through the extent of completely making up a serious claim just to get her way?!

Sooooo, I live in HUB housing here in Kentucky and I have this neighbor who is a single mother (she's Mexican) who has 4 young kids ages range from 10y to 6y olds and the 10 year old likes me as a friend because we both like the same things (KPop, cats, yummy food and and share child stories) she likes to show off her outfits to me. She'll call me on her Whatsapp ask me how my cats are doing because they are both rescues and her youngest sister asks about them. Anyway, I'm here asking because recently their mother leaves them home alone a lot from weird long hours from like 11am to 9am the next morning and I'm concerned their not eating or even in a clean home. One weekend she was gone from Friday night onto Sunday morning. I heard from the oldest daughter that she dates around a lot and likes to spend the night at each boyfriends house because the kids bug her when she wants "me time". I'm convinced she wants her oldest daughter who is BARELY 10 YEARS OLD to take care of her 3 siblings so she can live life as if she was a teenager again. I've seen the mother wear clothes that a stripper would wear. One time she was on a date at 8pm and didn't come home until 3pm the next day. What pissese off is the housing authority knows what's going on but apparently can't do anything?? And some surrounding neighbors know too but don't want to get involved because I hear the mother can be a bitch. Those kids deserve to live in a loving home not a absent mother that's wants to sleep around because she hates being around her kids. And I hear the kids have different dads and she's seen at least 5 different men this year. SOMETHING SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE MOTHER NEEDS AN INTERVENTION. They have no active family, and a absent mother. Am I wrong for being concerned or should I butt out and mind my business?? I've talked to the oldest daughter about this (surprisingly she's mature for her age) and she tells me to shut up and not do anything because she's afraid she'll be separated from her siblings. I just don't know what's the right thing to do.

Thoughts???

I have 3 children, the father of my middle child (6) has recently contacted the police & CPS on me with claims my child is being abused by me & my boyfriend. CPS came to the school today to interview my 6 y/o & 9 y/o. However they have not contacted me. Is this normal?
Background: I have had full custody of my 6 y/o since birth, father is not on BC but I recently filed for child support so paternity is about to be established through the state. I have allowed 6 y/o to go over there every weekend for the last year or so and holidays/school breaks. I have always allowed visitation as he wanted.
On Saturday during his visitation time with his dad the father claims that my son cried & he asked him why & he said he was afraid to get in trouble by me & boyfriend. He is disciplined here with taking away iPad, Fortnite, talking with him to discuss things, etc. no verbal or physical punishment. However, he does indeed get in trouble. Father messaged me & told me 6 y/o would not be coming home & would live with him from now on & go to school there. I played calm and asked him to please make sure son went to school the next day, I then went & picked him up after school & put him on lockdown to only me being allowed to get him from school. I came home to the police at my house asking I was being abused in which I said no & they left. Since that time father has tried to contact me numerous times, I blocked him bc it is interfering with my well being in which he messaged numerous other people in my life with messages to give to me, containing crazy claims. It has became harassment at this point. He did call CPS on me on Monday, today which is Friday they showed up at the school. I still haven’t been contacted by them.
Is this normal? I don’t know what to expect. I have no fear because there is no abuse in my house but anytime CPS is involved it is scary. My youngest is 11 months & breastfed.

I am the parent of two autistic kiddos. (8m,13m) I have a fear of CPS. Every doctor's appointment, every meeting with the school, any interaction with family. "What if I did something that makes them call?". I live in a new mobile home with all the utilities and have working everything. It is cluttered but no hazards. They're dressed very well. They're in extracurriculars and online tutoring every day. We do community dinners on Thursday and church on Sunday. I have mental health diagnosis, am 420 friendly with a med card. (Cabinet in a locked room off limits to my kids)

CPS was called on me several years ago and while unfounded my anxiety has perpetually grown ever since. I used that interaction to learn and do better for my kids as a parent and am constantly second guessing myself.

I say all that to ask this:

How do I move past this irrational fear? I'm in therapy but, thought I'd ask for advice here. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells

Also, please be kind. I'm going through a rough patch mentally and this is part of it. Thanks.

They opened a case over 3 months ago. The worker kept giggling during phone calls and home visits. It was demeaning and humiliating. I dont hear anything back for 3 months. Then I call then asking if the case is closed. The same worker says shes going on a trip and will get back to me after....

My family is under an in-home IA in Indiana. We’ve had no issues, have a genuinely overall positive relationship with our caseworker and have been repeatedly told we’re a family they know they don’t have to “worry” about due to our consistent compliance and progress on the issue that caused their involvement.
We are on our third out of 6 months.

A third party provides in home support for us weekly. The initial consultant that was meeting with us was an excellent fit and the sessions were therapeutically beneficial. However, she left the company to work somewhere with hours better for her family— happy for her!

This week we met the new support worker for the first time and it is a really bad fit. She openly expressed opinions and beliefs that go directly against our family culture and relate to my own trauma— while we are working through a curriculum designed to help me with my trauma. She spoke mainly about her own life, and altogether made me feel incredibly uncomfortable and anxious.

My question is this: would raising this issue with my FCM (whom I respect and have a positive rapport with) benefit me at all, or would it just make waves? I know all of these agencies are overworked and understaffed and don’t want to be in a situation where I’ve made a complaint and then she STILL has to sit on my couch weekly knowing I feel negatively toward her. However, I know that none of the intended therapeutic benefits of the curriculum are going to land for me in this situation, with a person who casually throws in commentary that I find deeply upsetting and offensive.

Any opinions would be helpful!

Just wondering does CPS give lab urine drug tests for kratom / 7OH?

Edit- have you or someone you know been personally tested by CPS for 7-OH?

Also, how long does it stay in your system for if anyone knows?

Post partum I had a lot of mental health issues, mainly due to medication changes and medications not working. CPS got involved and did nothing but harass me. The original accusation was that I’m not taking my meds. I proved that wrong day one by providing my meds and a pill count. They came over 2x a week and each time they ask the meds because they forgot what they are. Whatever. Then they make me sign a stupid safety plan stating “the mother is acting in a way that’s dangerous, erratic, and may pose a threat to the child’s safety and wellbeing” (or something to that effect). I didn’t wanna sign that bullshit because it was absolutely not true and my baby has a live in near retired grandma and a dad taking care of him. She said “oh don’t worry, it has to sound scary so we can put in services.” One I didn’t need services, two the services was what I was already doing: Have a doctor, take meds, go to counseling. Oh and they made me do a psych evaluation?? Just because the diagnosis I’ve had since I was 19 could be wrong. So I do that and the guy was super confused why I was there too lol. He’s like you’ve been diagnosed the same every time you were in the hospital so keep doing what you’re doing. Unfortunately, while the case is open I have another hospitalization. My grandmother and my husband took care of the baby while I was gone so I don’t see a problem? CPS does. They demand I get a safety manager right now literally couldn’t wait a day and it has to be someone outside of the home and can’t be grandma?? We told them we don’t want to air our dirty laundry to the neighbors and we called over my sister. She’s pregnant and is not at all understanding. She’s pissed. She tells them absolutely not will she be the safety manager. Then the incompetent CPS just kinda forgot about the safety manager thing after we had to tell someone in the neighborhood? Then my husband are pressured to sign an “updated” safety plan that states if “it” happens again they will remove the child and place him in foster care. Not even with family just straight into foster care. We told them off “You are aware Bipolar is a chronic, lifelong condition and even with meds it can be unpredictable and episodes can and will possibly happen again?!” Dead silence. We spoke to a lawyer who said (as I suspected) they can’t just remove the child and place him in foster care they would have to prove abuse, prove he’s not being taken care of by the other adults in the home, and they would have to find other family members first).

How the hell is this not blatant discrimination? The child was never harmed and he was never left alone. I always had a doctor and I always took medication. It is not my fault whatsoever if they don’t always work and when they didn’t I immediately got help anyway. Plus having a mental condition alone is not abuse! Where the fk was the abuse? There was none. He was always happy and healthy and taken care of. These idiots harassed us almost an entire year to ask what meds I’m taking for the billionth time because they don’t know what the hell else to do or say. I am especially angry that we had to notify a random neighbor and oh, my sister estranged from me over this! I missed her baby shower and like a year of my nephew’s/my baby’s cousin’s life. CPS ALWAYS does harm whether you are guilty or not! I am tired of people arguing stuff like well, they have o check up. No, it’s invasive, insensitive, and it ruins lives. They harassed me at my baby’s birth and they just would not accept that this was never a case. I proved over and over I have a doctor, I take medication, I go to counseling, when I’m sick I am not alone with the baby and I get help right away, and hello there is a grandma taking care of the baby full time anytime I’m gone. This was a nightmare and I wish I could forget it or better yet it never happened. I lost my sister and my nephew and once again I am reminded I am different and that people think lesser of me for something out of my control. Why is CPS allowed to harass people with mental illness even though you prove you aren’t guilty?

So ultimately long story short my child was taken away from me basically at birth, they had my father get temporary custody or guardianship and it was fine while I was living there but ultimately he kicked me out over truly nothing. Since then he’s said tons of mean hateful stuff to me and even had me believe that he got full custody or say permanent custody over night because he signed a paper saying so which was a flat out lie and didn’t say that and then said all these mean and hurtful things to really rub the salt in my wound. Found out the next day that was not true from cps worker and that it was basically only if we didn’t do what we needed to do to get her back. He even made posts on facebook claiming her as his and my step mom own daughter and then when my grandma said that’s not your child they all snapped at her and called us sperm and egg donors and a bunch of other mean stuff. Then turns out he told my mom that if he lost custody of my daughter it would destroy his family so in my mind he clearly doesn’t wanna give custody back to us or me and I just idk what to do. Is it possible I can get temporary custody or whatever it’s called transferred to someone else till this case is resolved or would that need substantial proof of why and what not. I know I’m leaving out probably tons of info but ultimately I’m doing everything I need to do to get my daughter back and I’m determined to get her back but I just feel like my father is gonna trash me and say anything he has to to keep my child so I just feel like it’s a conflict of interest right because cps main goal is to reunite children with their parents but if my father doesn’t want that and does whatever he needs to to keep her then wouldn’t that just make things that much more complicated and “impossible” per say or does this happen way more then I think it does. I’m just asking if anyone has experience with this and has any advice I will be getting in contact with my attorney in the next few days so I’ll clear ask him but court is next week and just trying to see my options and if I should even bring up getting custody changed to someone else anyone else but my father. I’m also in Ohio if it matters.

I used to smoke regularly for months and stopped as soon as I got a positive test at 6 weeks. I have a high bmi and suspect that if I’m drug tested at my first prenatal appointment it will be positive for thc only. I don’t know if I will be tested at all but I’ve seen some practices do test. If I do test positive will they automatically report to DCF? If so, would DCF investigate? I’m in Florida and seeing Baycare OB. Thanks.

I’m 17 and live in Kentucky, and I desperately need advice from anyone familiar with CPS, the Cabinet, or the family court system.

My parents and I have never gotten along, but things have gotten significantly worse over the past four months. My dad was arrested and spent one night in jail for domestic violence against me. There have also been around four CPS cases involving my family.

I’m currently in an outpatient mental health program, and I was discharged from a residential treatment facility about two months ago.

About three weeks ago, I received a call from a lawyer informing me that my parents had petitioned for the Cabinet to remove me from their home. Apparently, they filed the petition around the time I was discharged from residential treatment. Our court date is October 28th.

My lawyer told me that, in her opinion, the Cabinet may not have sufficient grounds to remove me from the home and that they don’t currently have a placement available for me. She wants to advocate for my parents’ custody to be terminated and for me to become a child in the Cabinet’s custody, but with me continuing to live with my parents.

The problem is that I do not want to continue living here. I want to be physically removed from my parents’ home. I understand that the Cabinet may not have an immediate placement available, but I genuinely cannot keep living in this environment, and I’m scared that I won’t have a say in what happens to me.

I’m not asking to leave just because my parents and I don’t get along. There has been domestic violence, multiple CPS cases, and a significant impact on my mental health. I don’t feel like this is a safe or sustainable living situation for me anymore.

What I really need help understanding is how I can advocate for myself and get the court to take my need to be removed seriously.

What should I specifically tell my lawyer before the hearing? How do I explain that entering the Cabinet’s custody while remaining in my parents’ home is not the outcome I want? Is there anything I can ask my lawyer to do or bring up in court to advocate for physical removal?

If the Cabinet says they don’t have a placement available, what happens? Could I request a foster home, a kinship placement with a relative, or another safe living arrangement? Are there other options my lawyer could explore?

I’m also worried that because I’m 17, people might assume I can just deal with the situation until I turn 18, but I don’t feel like I can keep doing this. I need help now, and I want to make sure my concerns are heard before a decision is made.

Has anyone been through something similar in Kentucky, worked with the Cabinet, or knows how these hearings work? I would especially appreciate advice from people who understand how a minor can advocate for their own safety, what to say to their lawyer, and what options might be available when there isn’t an immediate placement.

I have court on October 28th, and I’m scared that I’ll be forced to stay in a situation that is seriously affecting my mental health simply because there isn’t another place for me to go.

Thank you to anyone who can offer advice or share their experience.