And this was a report from a police officer!
I can't even say the level of frustration I had, time, after time, as a "mandatory reporter", I would call DCFS about children, and unless I had a kid in front of me, who had a broken arm, and told me his Mother did it...the calls were a waste of time and energy.
But, I did it, and documented it in school records. Over and over, often for the same kids.
I worked closely with DCPS and in my area, eastern US, and have many friends there. Most states have a computer program, with specific questions that are rated/weighted and the DCPS worker has some objectivity. It insures all bases are covered. Being homeless and living in a shelter is not abuse, if the parents aren't on drugs, it's just being poor. Not having electricity, if you are not staying in the home, is not considered considered abuse, it's being poor. Lack of food, shelter, medical care, safe environment are abuse under the law. It's sad, the standard is so low, the bare basics. It's not DCPS, its the laws and state statue.
Most DCPS workers are like you and I. They have families, hearts that care, and lose sleep over these kids. The wages are not great, the conditions they go into are horrific, they see the worst, of the worst, the families are abusive, they lack enough foster homes, it's gotta be a working nightmare.
DCPS removed these children every opportunity they legally could. Everyone, DCPS, LE, the grandparents knew it was bad. But, like moms lawyer said today, we have a lot of things to work out first, when ask the outcome. There's always a plan and when they meet it, they legally get the kids back.