CPS news — the stories agencies don’t publish.
Father’s Advocacy Network tracks child protective services across all 50 states: wrongful removals, deaths and abuse in foster care, caseworker misconduct, family court judges, lawsuits and audits. Updated every day.
Records, court filings, audio or a story that needs to be told — confidentially.
Latest CPS news
Marks “Consistent With Compression”: Washington Documented a Foster Child’s Abuse for Years — and Left Her There
Washington social workers documented a foster child’s neck marks, bare room and removed bed – then left her in the home for years, a 2026 lawsuit alleges.
Rescued From Torture, Abused Again.
Six Turpin children were rescued from their parents’ torture, then placed in a county foster home that abused them again. A $13.5M settlement, explained.
Killed at Six, Buried in the Backyard, Unnoticed for Four Years: The Failure That Let Kennedy Schroer Disappear
Six-year-old Kennedy Schroer, born Natalie Garcia, was tortured and killed by her adoptive mother in 2020 and buried in the backyard. No one knew for nearly four years. Inside the collapse of post-adoption oversight. (160 characters)
She Died in the State’s Care. Illinois Still Won’t Say What Happened to Mackenzi Felmlee.
Mackenzi Felmlee, 18, died in her Illinois foster home after four years in state care. One assigned caseworker had eight orders of protection against her — and DCFS hired her anyway.
Children Removed First. Due Process Later. NYC ACS Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Emergency Family Separations
A federal lawsuit alleges NYC ACS routinely removed children without prior court orders, bypassing due process and disproportionately impacting families of color.
Mississippi CPS Reform Has a Court Problem
Mississippi seeks to end CPS oversight, but courts still override kinship placement, family preservation, and child welfare policy.
Cherokee County DFCS Sent a Severely Autistic Young Man 800 Miles Away — After the Court Found “No Reasonable Efforts” Were Made
Records reviewed by FAN raise serious concerns about Cherokee County DFCS after a severely autistic young man was removed from family, sent to a Texas facility, and allegedly denied protections required under Georgia and federal law.
Jones County, Mississippi Youth Court Under Fire After Judge Denies Kinship Placement Despite State Recommendations
Jones County Mississippi Youth Court case raises concerns after judge denied kinship placement despite MDCPS recommendations and federal relative-placement law.
Washington County, Oklahoma DHS Case Raises Medical Kidnapping Concerns After Mother Sought Emergency Care for Infant
Washington County Oklahoma DHS case raises medical kidnapping concerns after a mother sought emergency care and lost access to all three children.
St. Louis County, Minnesota CPS Under Fire After Parent With TBI Says Court Muted Him During Critical Hearing
St. Louis County Minnesota CPS case raises concerns over due process, ADA accommodations, kinship placement, and foster care harm.
Scott County, Mississippi CPS Under Fire After Three Children Removed Amid Missed Hearings, Ignored Drug Tests, and Safety Concerns
Scott County Mississippi CPS case raises concerns over missed hearings, ignored drug tests, restricted visitation, and child safety failures.
Oklahoma County DHS Under Fire After Newborn Removed Hours After Birth Over Disputed Drug Test
Oklahoma County DHS case raises concerns after newborn removal over disputed drug test, missed deadlines, and denied kinship placement.
What we cover
Child protective services agencies — called CPS, DFCS, DCS, DHS, DCF or Children’s Division depending on the state — have the power to remove children from their homes, often before a judge has heard a single word from the parents. Most of that power is exercised behind closed doors. Our reporting brings it into public view.
- Wrongful removals and due process: children taken without warrants, hearings or real evidence.
- Harm in state custody: abuse, neglect, drugging and deaths in foster homes, group homes and shelters.
- Caseworker misconduct: falsified records, faked visits, coerced “safety plans.”
- Family court: judges, guardians ad litem and the hearings that decide whether children come home.
- Accountability: lawsuits, settlements, state audits and the laws that follow.
Why CPS news matters
According to federal data analyzed in FAN’s research, about three out of four children removed from their homes are classified as neglect — not abuse — and poverty is increasingly identified as the driver. Families need resources, not removal. When agencies get it wrong, the public deserves to know.
Browse by topic: Foster care · CPS / DFCS · Family court · Caseworker misconduct · Deaths in care · False drug tests · Judges
Browse by state: Georgia · Minnesota · Mississippi · Oklahoma · Texas · California · Florida · West Virginia · Missouri · Indiana
Every story is sourced
Each article links to its sources — court filings, government reports and published news coverage. Allegations are labeled as allegations. If you see an error, tell our newsroom.
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