Texas Families Take a Stand: Dr. Candice Matthews Leads Press Conference Exposing CPS Abuse and Corruption
Houston, TX — In a bold and emotional press conference, Dr. Candice Matthews stood alongside parents, grandparents, and supporters to expose what she called the “atrocious activities” of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Child Protective Services (CPS).
“This is not a race thing. This is not a Republican or Democrat thing. This is a family thing,” Dr. Matthews declared. “And one thing about Texas, we love our children.”
Dr. Matthews, a longtime advocate and community leader, spoke out against the systemic failures that have plagued Texas’s child welfare system. She pointed to repeated instances where CPS removed children from their families without giving parents a real opportunity to reunify, only to place those children in even more dangerous environments.
“We’ve seen safety plans that placed children with known offenders,” she said, holding up documentation. “You remove kids from loving parents who are struggling, then put them in homes where abuse is happening under your watch. That is not protection. That is destruction.”
Dr. Matthews cited the case of Candace Jeffcoats, a Texas mother who has spent nearly a decade fighting for her children. Jeffcoats has battled addiction, served her time, and rebuilt her life, only to face broken promises, false hope, and a system that continues to block her reunification.
One of the most alarming moments came when Dr. Matthews shared evidence that a CPS worker privately admitted to Ms. Jeffcoats that she had been “railroaded” by the system.
“You’re not giving her a chance. And you knew it,” Matthews said. “How is a mother supposed to fight when the courtroom and the agency are working against her?”
The press conference also revealed a tragic story of a 13-year-old child placed in a CWOP (Children Without Placement) facility — an area surrounded by registered sex offenders — who was ultimately sexually assaulted while in CPS custody.
“Your job is to protect the unprotected,” Matthews said directly to DFPS and CPS. “Instead, you’re taking children and lining your pockets with Title IV funds while families are destroyed.”
With anger and grief fueling their mission, Dr. Matthews and her team vowed to visit all 254 counties in Texas to expose similar stories and demand reform.
“We’ve started a movement,” she said. “The jig is up. The chickens have come home to roost. And CPS, we’re putting you on notice.”
📢 Why This Matters
Texas receives millions in federal funds tied to child welfare placements. Critics argue that these incentives are creating a pipeline that rewards removal over reunification, especially in underserved and marginalized communities. This press conference is just one of many public outcries calling for transparency, accountability, and true child safety reform.
🔗 Follow the Movement
To learn more about the fight led by Dr. Candice Matthews and families across Texas, stay connected and help us raise awareness:
- 🌐 Website: familiesvsdhr.org
- 📘 Facebook: Families vs Houston County DHR
- 📸 Instagram: @Families Vs. Houston County DHR
- 🐦 Twitter: @familiesvsdhr
