Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Shout Your Cause with Sally Hendrick

Sally met Heather Carter in Washington D.C. Her case is heart-wrenching to say the least. Listen to what Heather knows about the child welfare system. It's not what it's cracked up to be. Get show notes and transcript at https://shoutyourcause.com. Find Heather on TikTok at https://tiktok.com/@my.three.plus.me. Shout Your Cause sponsored Heather's flight to D.C.

Heather Carter, shares her experience with Child Protective Services (CPS) in Arizona. She contacted CPS after her husband's mental health deteriorated and he became violent towards her and their children. CPS created a safety plan with her, but at the end of the meeting, they asked her to sign over the rights to her children, or they would remove them from her. Heather refused and left the meeting. Later, CPS filed a removal request claiming that Heather was an aggressor to domestic violence, and her children were not safe with her. Despite having no opportunity to question witnesses or take the stand, a commissioner allowed Heather's children to be returned to her, but the case remained open with a 24-hour safety monitor. Heather believes her experience could happen to anyone and is now working to help other families who have gone through similar situations.