I've honestly been lurking on this thread for a few days now and I have to admit that because of my personal situation this one is pulling at the heart strings really hard.
Just a personal experience with CPS in NJ, I've honestly come to terms that they do NOT care. I remember someone posted that they only step in or "care" when a child is dead. I am a step mom to a 2 year old boy. My Husband was awarded full custody for about 6 months last year. His bio mom has put him in SEVERAL life threatening situations. She's run out into the middle of a busy highway with him as an infant, has broken into our home trying to get him and has left marks on his skin from pinching and from leaving him in a dirty diaper so long that it ate at his skin. My Husband has reported every issue, has represented himself in Court AND has had an attorney that cost us quite a bit of money. Every time the Court has granted at least 50/50 custody to her. Granted, it could be worse and we could be weekend parents BUT, my point is, Courts tend to favor the mom (which isn't a bad thing most of the time but, not all moms are stellar people either). I'm thinking maybe this is why she was awarded custody back.
Again, I don't want this to turn into a debate, this is completely IMO and my personal experience.