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Fox 9 News - Lawsuit targets Child Protection Services, alleging 'legal kidnapping'






(KMSP) - A new federal lawsuit targets Minnesota's Child Protection Services and child protection laws.

The suit alleges that CPS triggers unnecessary investigations and puts children at risk of being removed from their home based only on allegations. Dwight Mitchell said two CPS psychologists said he was fit to parent and that CPS was ordered by several judges to reunify him with his 11-year-old son.

But instead, CPS tried to terminate his parental rights all together. CPS eventually dismissed the case and returned his son to him.

Mitchell has started a nonprofit called Family Preservation Foundation and the parental rights group “Stop CPS from Legally Kidnapping Children.” While his case focuses on the actions of Dakota County CPS, it’s happening in many counties - in part because state laws allow them to.

“If we have vague and ambiguous statutes that authorize child protection to seize those kids, single fit parents, then the government ends up raising the child, and we all know the government is horrible at raising children,” attorney Erick Kaardal said.

In the lawsuit, there are many demands, including jury trials for all termination of parental rights proceedings and defense attorneys for people who cannot afford one.

State Senator Andrew Mathews said he will also begin working on legislation to tighten things up here on a local level.


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Family Preservation Foundation believes every child deserves a happy, healthy and safe future with their family and loved ones. We are working to save the children of America. Since our founding, we’ve changed the lives of many children in in the United States. We give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes to save our children – every day and in times of family crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. We are a top-rated charity.

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To send feedback, suggestions or to request information on Family Preservation Foundation, Inc. 
contact: info@familypreservationfoundation.org| Tel: +1 (866) 469-5777 or +1 (732) 377-2038