Poll Question

Posted to: News Virginia

Should the General Assembly tighten Virginia’s child-abuse reporting laws?

Disclaimer: This is an unscientific sampling of users.

Dead child vs annoying phone call

Submitted by LAF3267 on Thu, 02/02/2012 at 2:51 pm.

Better to err on the side of caution than to risk the well being of an innoncent child. In general, where there is smoke, there's fire!

Protect the Children

Submitted by kmf757 on Sun, 04/15/2012 at 7:51 am.

It is the job of CPS to protect the children. Waiting on a court to rule, can result in a child being killed. If you see something... say something. If there is evidence of abuse or neglect, the first step should be to remove that and all children from the home pending future investigation. If you don't agree with this, then you must be guilty. If you see abuse on a child and you do not report it, you are just as guilty as the one abusing the child.

This is a horrible idea

Submitted by jamal on Thu, 02/02/2012 at 10:21 am.

What is the most precious thing to a parent? Their children of course. Yet, right now, CPS can remove your children from your home without a court order or a hearing. Anyone can call CPS anonymously to say that you are abusing your child, and you can do nothing to stop it. You don't even get to find who made the charge. And they can call again and again, and you will be investigated again and again. CPS already has the attitude that you are an abuser (why else would someone call?) and are ready to take your children. It is easier for CPS to take your children than for your loan company to repossess your car. You have no rights when it comes to a CPS investigation. This is a horrible law.

CPS

Submitted by eagles4me on Thu, 02/02/2012 at 2:57 pm.

You are so right. I have witnessed this very thing first hand with my best friend. Everything turned out all right in the end, but the horror she endured as a result of CPS having free rein was unbelievable.