A Texas judge has issued what attorneys call the largest sanction ever imposed against Child Protective Services after finding that caseworkers lied in order to remove two children from their parents.
According to original reporting by FOX 26 and FOX 5 DC, Family Law Judge Mike Schneider ruled that CPS caseworker Levar Jones and supervisor Niesha Edwards provided false information to justify taking Michael and Melissa Bright’s two year old daughter and five month old son.
Attorney Dennis Slate, who represented the family, said he has never seen sanctions of this size. He explained that Judge Schneider would have issued an even higher penalty if taxpayers were not at risk of being affected.
Attorney Stephanie Proffitt called the actions of CPS “disgusting.” She noted that both employees remain in their positions despite days of testimony revealing repeated false statements.
The impact on the Bright family was severe. Their two year old daughter was harmed while in foster care. She suffered a black eye and what attorneys described as a chemical burn in her diaper area. According to attorneys, these injuries occurred within hours of her arrival in foster care.
Judge Schneider ordered CPS to pay the Bright family a total of one hundred twenty seven thousand dollars for legal fees and related expenses. He stated that the case should never have been brought. After the ruling, Melissa Bright said she was relieved that the family could begin to heal. Michael Bright said they could finally go home without any allegations attached to their names.
Judge Schneider also ordered CPS to develop a plan by December fifth to retrain nearly every CPS worker in the Houston region. This training must include instruction on the laws regarding removal, the procedures required before and after removal, and the responsibility to inform parents of their rights.
Proffitt said the ruling exposes a larger national pattern. She described the dishonesty within CPS as an ongoing epidemic that will continue until stronger accountability is enforced.
In a public statement, CPS said it is reviewing its options, including the possibility of an appeal. Judge Schneider stated that if CPS appeals and loses, the agency will be responsible for all legal expenses.
