What was supposed to be a normal day for Nathan and Katie Arlington quickly took a turn when a CPS investigator knocked on their door. Katie answered the door, and the investigator introduced herself, explaining that she was there to investigate an allegation made against them.

When Katie asked what the allegations were,  the investigator told her that the report was about physical abuse toward one of their children.

Katie then asked the investigator who made the report and if it was all right if she recorded the conversation. The investigator told Katie that the identity of the reporter was confidential, also that Katie could not record their interaction. She then gave Katie her card and abruptly left.

Katie was confused. She stepped back inside, trying to gather her thoughts, and then remembered Heritage Defense. She dialed our 24/7 emergency hotline and was promptly connected with an attorney. After Katie explained what had happened, our attorney asked Katie if she had any idea where the allegation might have arisen. Katie said that she did not know who might have reported them, but that one of their children is epileptic and would sometimes try to harm himself, Katie said that since at times they would have to restrain him to keep him from hurting himself, she suspected that the report may have been related to his condition.

Our attorney told Katie that he was not sure why the investigator did not request interviews or even request to come into the house. Our attorney told Katie that we would assign one of our local attorneys near the Arlington’s to the case, and have him reach out to the investigator.

We contacted a local attorney and assigned him to the case. The local attorney reached out to Nathan and Katie and discussed the case. The local attorney told them that it sounded like the investigator was just checking off boxes and was not interested in a formal investigation.

The local attorney told Nathan and Katie that he would reach out to the investigator to find out what the investigator’s next steps were.

The local attorney spoke with the CPS investigator, who told him that the exact allegation amounted to rough handling of the children. She went on to tell the local attorney that she actually did want to interview the Arlington children and visit the home. The local attorney told the investigator that the allegations did not sound serious and that he did not want the family to have to endure the stress and trauma of a home visit.

After the family agreed, the local attorney told CPS that they would agree to the interviews as long as the local attorney was present and could monitor each interview. The investigator agreed to the terms.

The interviews went well and the attorney kept things within bounds. At the conclusion, the investigator told the local attorney that she would be closing the case and finding the allegations were unsubstantiated.

Nathan and Katie thanked us and gave their feedback on the case:

If you are not yet a Heritage Defense member, this story is a reminder: a visit from CPS can come at any time and for any reason. Allegations often come without warning. Having an experienced, Christian attorney to represent you can make all the difference.

Join Heritage Defense today so that if a knock ever comes to your door, you are not facing it alone.