CPS Investigated Her 4 Times Because She Let Her Kids Play Outside
13 days ago
- #Child Independence
- #CPS Investigations
- #Parenting
- A mother in Virginia was investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS) four times for allowing her children to play outside unsupervised.
- Neighbors repeatedly reported the family, alleging inadequate supervision, despite the children being in safe, familiar environments.
- CPS imposed unreasonable expectations, such as requiring constant supervision of children until age 13, even in their own bedrooms.
- One investigation stemmed from a bitter neighbor falsely accusing the children of wandering unsupervised and abusing animals.
- The mother partnered with the nonprofit Let Grow to advocate for Reasonable Childhood Independence laws, which Virginia passed in 2023.
- Despite legal protections, the children remain hesitant to exercise independence due to lingering fear of neighbor interference.
- The mother created a 'license' for her children to carry, affirming parental permission and referencing the new law to prevent further harassment.
- The family's experience highlights societal mistrust in children's independence and the misuse of CPS by overzealous neighbors.