r/CPS•
sunlitwildflower

Very concerned. Looking for advice on what CPS can do

Support

I'd like to keep the details vague, for anonymity, but here it goes:

This is about a toddler aged child. The father is a known drug user who lost custody of a child in the past. He has not had any role in raising this child, though he is still the mother's on/off boyfriend for several years.

On week days, the child primarily lives in a home with the mother, grandfather and an uncle who is severely mentally ill.

The home has no baby proofing, though this child has been walking for about one year. (No baby gates on stairs, no locks on cabinets, etc.)

Here is where I need advice:

The child likely has all the "minimal parenting" requirements, per the state: housing, clothing, food, medical attention, etc. I do not believe there is any physical abuse.

The child has been primarily raised by the grandfather. He is able to meet basic needs, but he has never taken the child out of the house or provided any educational or appropriate social interaction for the child. They may qualify for Head Start, but neither the mother or grandfather is likely to take the steps to enroll.

On the weekends, the mother brings the child to her "friend's" house where he lives with his mother. She spends the weekend basically couch surfing. On Sunday or Monday, the grandfather says the mother returns home hungover.

We are to assume that the mother spends the weekend drinking heavily and likely bringing the child to see her drug addict father. Supposedly, the friend's mother is caring for the child while mom and friends are out partying. I do not know if there are adequate sleeping arrangements for a toddler.

The grandfather also says that the child's behavior is different on Monday after having no routine for the weekend and the child is very tired from not sleeping in the their usual crib.

Questions:

Is this child just stuck in a shitty situation?

Should I call the CPS hotline and let them try to do their jobs?

Any way to change the situation for the child requires the grandfather or mother to take action. They likely will not unless there are real consequences for them. What if they won't use the resources they have?

Posted May 5, 2025, 2:07 AM UTC

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