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Kristie,
I have worked directly with children for the past 15years. I think it is interesting that you use the fact that 1/3 of the children that were removed from the parents had unsubstantiated reports of abuse/neglect and then state that parents then have to be the ones to prove they are innocent. Just because something can't be proven in a court doesn't mean that it isn't true. But if not proven then the child is returned to the home. It is difficult to "prove" neglect. Even abuse with bruises and fractures seem to be less horrific over time. In the state I work in you won't get CPS to take a report on a child just because of poverty or because of the parents substance abuse.
I have seen children taken from loving families that needed more help. But we live in a free country where you don't have to take your mental health meds if you don't want to. And you can't really believe that a parent with a substance abuse problem doesn't hurt or neglect their children! I see the hurt of those children daily. Drug use is NOT a victimless crime. Our country's children pay the price daily!
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