Anthony and Tina Aquilla* took their nine-year-old son, Jackson, to the emergency room after he began having trouble catching his breath. Their entire family had been sick, and while everyone seemed to be recovering, Jackson’s breathing concerns prompted them to take him.

At first, everything went smoothly with the medical staff. But things changed when the hospital unexpectedly recommended that Jackson be sent to a behavioral health facility.

Anthony and Tina declined, believing it was unnecessary and that Jackson simply needed rest after being sick. The hospital told them it was ultimately their choice, provided discharge papers, and Anthony and Tina took Jackson home.

Days later, the family received a phone call from a CPS investigator who said she wanted to speak with them. Concerned, Anthony immediately contacted Heritage Defense using our Emergency Hotline.

We connected them with one of our local contact attorneys, who then gathered initial information and informed Anthony that he would contact CPS and notify them that he was their representative. Despite sending an email to the investigator, as well as several follow-up emails, the investigator later claimed she had not received anything and said that if the family did not respond quickly, she would have to escalate the matter into a formal investigation.

The investigator also indicated that she wanted to interview the children, something our attorney advised Anthony and Tina strongly against.

Our local attorney contacted the investigator directly, explained that Jackson had already been evaluated by his pediatrician and had fully recovered, and emphasized that there were no allegations of abuse or neglect. The family had even provided multiple references, photos of the children, and documentation showing that Jackson was doing well.

After further discussions, the investigator agreed that she had no concerns but said her supervisors were pushing to escalate the case. Our attorney pushed back firmly, highlighting that the family had sought appropriate medical care, had stable home conditions, and that there were absolutely no indications of harm.

Eventually, after continued communication, the department agreed to close the case. The family later received a case closing letter.

Anthony and Tina later shared their experience:

Stories like the Aquilla family’s are a reminder of how quickly an ordinary family can find themselves accused of something they never imagined. While we can never guarantee outcomes, what we can tell you is this: when families are falsely accused of child abuse or neglect, having immediate access to experienced legal defense can make all the difference.

If you are not a member, we encourage you to join Heritage Defense today. Membership means 24/7 access to attorneys who are ready to step in and fight to defend your family and your parental rights.