Carter and Grace Bryan had just welcomed their newborn son into the world; however, due to complications, he was placed in the NICU. Carter and Grace had been living at the hospital while caring for him, while the rest of their children stayed with family.

Grace suddenly received a call from a number she did not recognize. Upon answering it, she realized it was a CPS investigator. And the investigator had just finished interviewing all of their other children without Grace or Carter's consent.

CPS had tracked down where the Bryans' children were staying at the home of Grace's brother. The investigator visited his home unannounced, interviewed the Bryan children without ever informing Carter or Grace, and pressed Grace's sister-in-law to prove that her home had food and running water. CPS also told her not to contact the Bryans.

Carter and Grace immediately called Heritage Defense.

One of our attorneys walked Carter and Grace through what to do next and advised them not to sign anything or to meet with CPS without counsel present.

Heritage Defense then connected the family with a local attorney to represent them. As usual, Heritage Defense covered the local attorney's fees.

Before the interview, the local attorney had Carter and Grace collect references vouching for their abilities as parents. The local attorney then drove up early to meet them and walk them through what to expect. With him at their side, the interview at the CPS office went well, as did the home visit that followed.

By the end, CPS had reviewed not one but two separate reports against the Bryan family: one report was regarding the children playing outside, and the second was that Carter and Grace were neglecting the children's medical needs. Both reports Carter and Grace believed traced back to the same neighbor—a neighbor who had harassed them numerous times in the past and who seemed to have intentionally reported them when they saw Carter and Grace leaving for the hospital for the birth of their son.

CPS ultimately determined both reports to be unsubstantiated.

Carter and Grace shared their testimony about the experience:

The Bryan family had never expected the joyful arrival of a new baby to be followed by a CPS investigation.

But when it happened, Heritage Defense was there to defend them.

If you are not already a member, learn how Heritage Defense can help protect your family if someone makes an unfounded CPS report against you.