Parental Rights and Child Welfare

Parents are losing custody without cause in far too many cases – and often losing their permanent parental rights, as well. Yet the lack of a sound legal standard leaves the door open for judges and child services investigators to continue the system as it is. The system is failing children, failing families, and failing our country as a whole.

Because of this, ParentalRights.org is working with a bipartisan coalition to amend existing federal child welfare laws to keep families together whenever possible. Two examples include removing anonymous reporting (replacing it where appropriate with confidential reporting) and creating a "quick exit ramp" for cases where case workers recognize early on that no abuse is taking place, but under current guidelines must "complete their investigation" before they can close the file.

Real Stores; Real Problems

strikeOne Strike and You're Out
An Arizona appeals court had to overturn a family court termination of parental rights (TPR) order that was based on a single lapse in supervision by a caring parent. The case involved a 6-year-old whose father has joint legal custody with his ex-wife.


Mother Loses Son Despite Completing Requirements
An Indiana Court of Appeals similarly overturned a TPR decision and accused the Department of Child Services of an "extraordinarily troubling pattern of behavior." The case involved a mother who had fled an abusive relationship and completed every requirement set before her for unification, but who lost her son anyway.


Baby Removed Simply Because Mother Has a Disability
Massachusetts was caught committing "extensive, ongoing violations" of the Americans with Disabilities Act in their removing of Sara Gordon's baby simply because Sara has a disability, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice last year.


"More Children Than Ever" Taken into State Custody
The Vermont Supreme Court overturned a TRP order in Caledonia County at a time when "more children than ever are being taken into state custody," according to the Burlington Free Press.


Taking Three Children Per Week in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, a bill has been introduced to halt a "custody for care" scheme (where the state won't provide care for children unless the parents give up custody) that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) denies even exists. According to the Hartford Courant, Judicial department data show the state has used the petitions to take custody of more than 860 children over five years – or an average of three children a week. Three children per week in a state the size of Connecticut is hardly a "last resort."

An article at The Day (also in Connecticut) reveals a system that often confuses poverty for neglect.


Cases Involving Terminating the Parents' Rights on the Rise
A report from KIMT in Iowa in December similarly declared that "cases involving terminating the parents' rights to their children are on the rise."


No Responsibility and No Accountability in Child Perspective Services
The author of “The Corrupt Business of Child Protective Services” worked with around 300 cases in Georgia, along with hundreds across the nation. She shares heart-breaking stories of injustices committed, including how children are being taken away unnecessarily and put in very abusive situations. Her conclusion is that “there is no responsibility and no accountability in Child Protective Services.”

More Child Welfare and Parental Rights News

Losing the Children She Tried to Protect

Losing the Children She Tried to Protect

By ParentalRights.org | February 14, 2018

“Innocent until proven guilty” is a cherished principle of our justice system here in America. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always seem to apply to parents like you or me, as Tennessee mom Tori Harper recently learned the hard way. She Reached Out to a System Designed to Help Children, and Suddenly Found Herself Its Victim According…

Traumatizing the Innocent Isn’t the Answer

By ParentalRights.org | January 22, 2018

Note: ParentalRights.org is not a “homeschool organization.” We support the right of all parents to direct the education, as well as the upbringing and care, of their children. But, as the recent Turpin case from California has prompted many to call for over-regulation of those who choose to homeschool, we felt a response was in…

New Year, Same Old Threats

By ParentalRights.org | January 8, 2018

This first week of January one doesn’t have to look too far to see a reminder similar to this one: “It’s a brand new year, a clean slate, a chance to start over.” Unfortunately, when it comes to your parental rights, we’re still dealing with the same reality we were a week ago, where your…

Law Professor Attacks Parental Rights

Shocking Video: Law Professor Attacks Parental Rights

By ParentalRights.org | October 11, 2017

Shocking Video: Law Professor Attacks Parental Rights (Our thanks to CRTV for their footage of James Dwyer. The full episode on the Homeschool Rebellion and Season 2 of Michelle Malkin Investigates can be found on CRTV.com.) Take Action Before It’s Too Late. Sign up. Share. Donate. “The reason parent-child relationships exist is because the State…

Parents Losing Children for Being Too Poor?

By ParentalRights.org | August 23, 2017

Lately we’ve been sharing a lot about what we’re doing in Washington and what we’re urging you to do in your state or district to promote the Parental Rights Amendment. Apart from the tragedy of Charlie Gard, though, there hasn’t been much time to talk about the “why” of it all. You have heard the…

The Parental Rights Amendment Is Being Reintroduced!

Exciting Days Ahead

By neonadmin | May 24, 2017

The school year may be winding down, but things are just about to take off here at ParentalRights.org. The biggest item on the near horizon is the introduction of the Parental Rights Amendment (PRA) in both houses of Congress, which I expect to see very soon. But that’s not all that’s taking place during that…

Child and Parent

Special Report: The State of Parental Rights in America, 2017

By neonadmin | February 20, 2017

The Supreme Court once declared, “This primary role of parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.” Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972) at 232. So, how are we doing with that “enduring American tradition” today? Unfortunately, not so well. Even with advances in some…