Such a well done podcast. I couldn’t stop listening- blood boiling anger, sadness, tears, happiness, and relief. CPS is very important for our children but only if…

This story hits close to home as I to have had interaction with CPS in California my breast feeding child removed my care after a domestic violence incident in which my child was not harmed physically nor was he awake. Because of financial hardship I was stuck in an unhealthy relationship and unable to move and instead of offering services yo help me move to a safe home with my 1 year old son CPS took met son from me for 1.5 years. Social workers are overworked and unable to accurately report and investigate each case on their desk. I’ve not met 1 Social Worker that does what is in the child’s best interest. They protect themselves and will lie to make their private agency more lucrative. Don’t let CPS in your home Don’t comply with a voluntary case plan Don’t TRUST THEM

This is irresponsible, inaccurate reporting that leaves children vulnerable to ongoing abuse. I hope that you will see the one-sided nature of your reporting and find a way to become more educated on child abuse reporting. These are innocent children who do not have the ability to speak up for themselves.

I feel so sad and angry for these families.

DCF in Boston MA has been keeping us from adopting our NEPHEWS in foster care. We have been fighting for 3 years. We just found out that the decision was made to have the foster parents adopt my nephews.

Such a powerful and important story. Thank you for reporting.

What happened to this family was affirmative action, easy as that if government wasn’t trying to fill quotas this wouldn’t have happened.. hopefully they learned to hire off merit after this

Heartbreaking and enlightening glimps of just one of the many families HARMED rather than protected by CPS. The CPS system is broken and ought to be burned to the ground and a new system that actually protects children needs to be built in its place. Episode 3 and the raw audio captured of the children being taken by court order is especially heart wrenching. Oh, Melissa—-my heart is broken with you bearing witness to your agony. Broken. I don’t think there is anything the state can offer—no symbolic gesture or dollar amount would suffice—to make right and make whole after what was done to this poor family. I hope you guys sue and I hope YOU WIN.

What I learned from this story. If you can, get a lawyer the moment that you learn child abuse pediatricians and CPS are involved. Accidents happen - we all know that. The problem here is that the moment child abuse pediatricians say the injury is “consistent” with abuse then seems parents are deemed guilty. The problem is that saying an injury is consistent with child abused does not mean child abuse has occurred or is occurring. You need a lawyer at that point to guide you with dealing with CPS.

Wow, an eye opening story of how broken the CPS is. Heartbreaking story and also brings important awareness.

After this story and many others I have read, I have no respect for CPS or child abide pediatricians. I’ve read so many stories about taking children who have no reason to be taken and countless child abuse pediatrician being careless and not reporting all the facts. While children that have noticeable abuse are kept at home.

As a mom of 3 young kids, my heart was absolutely shattered listening to these two families. I pray that there can be some sort of solution to this systemic problem.

What these families and other good families go through is just horrific. I understand that children are abused and need protecting but it only takes common sense to do a thorough investigation and know a good loving home when you see one. You have to look at ALL the facts before you. I am tired of seeing good parents punished by having their babies ripped out of their homes while innocent children are abused and dying at the hands of parents and foster homes. What is in place is not working and the system has got to do better than this! Thank you for sharing these stories with the compassion you’ve shown.

Interesting story-very biased though.

Mike Hixenbaugh will ALWAYS only give you one side of the story. His reporting on the Megan Carter case was fraudulent. He railroaded the pediatrician who reported the offense, claiming because she wasn’t a child abuse pediatrician, she couldn’t diagnose abuse. That’s absurd. He also suggested that no child abuse pediatrician was involved in the case when a simple FOIA request would have shown that Dr. Carol Jenny, one of the most respected child abuse pediatricians in the US, reviewed over 50,000 pages of medical records for Carter’s child. He absolutely knew this. How do you know? Because he linked the family court decision (which is full of inaccuracies) to the article, and in that decision it mentions Dr. Jenny’s testimony and medical record review. Yet Hixenbaugh never mentions that in his article. That’s an old reporter trick. Bury what you don’t want people to read in a link or at the very end of a long article (also a Hixenbaugh staple) and never mention it in your writing. That allows the reporter to fraudulently claim the info was available if people had followed the link, and in this case read a 40 page court decision. I consider Mike Hixenbaugh a person without a conscience who has put personal advancement in front of the safety of children. If you want to be manipulated, this is the podcast for you.

I was mesmerized by this podcast. I found it as I’ve been battling DHR in Alabama. Although my situation is very different, the feelings of helplessness are identical. I appreciated how the discrepancy in the two cases was discussed. It’s wrong in many levels. I hope that DHR/CPS learns from their heartbreaking, ridiculous, cruel practices.

My husband and I loved this podcast. The 2nd from last podcast had me shaking mad. I hope TX CPS has now done things differently to avoid taking more children from loving and caring families.

This was such a niche topic to report in terms of the plethora of topics that can be reported, but by and far one of the most tragic happenings that occur for parents in the US. As a parent who has been a victim of false allegations surrounding my children, I was transfixed with this story. Brought to tears on multiple occasions knowing the reality of these HORRIFIC TRUTHS that exist due to systemic failures. I am praying that you all continue reporting on this. This is such a widespread, prevalent issue affecting families nationwide and could easily be compared to other failures within the systems in our country. This topic deserves as much, if not MORE attention that wrongful convictions and systemic failures in the like. These are CHILDREN being ripped from their loving families. Creating and setting early childhood trauma that can last lifetimes and even generations and sometimes for families who would otherwise never have experienced such things. PLEASE KEEP spotlighting this! I am amazed by the execution of highlighting and reporting on this topic. WELL DONE! I look forward to the impacts of this journalist’s works in the future! Best wishes and God Bless.

Excellent reporting by Mike Hixenbaugh. This is one of the best Podcasts I’ve heard. Every parent should listen and become aware of overzealous social workers who can ignore overwhelming evidence and logic and remove children from loving parents after a home accident.

After recently going through a similar nightmare, listening to this podcast was emotional, but also so validating. Thank you for sharing your stories!

If you think CPS only takes children when it is absolutely necessary, and that their motives are always good, this will help you see the other side. A very balanced report, in my opinion. This is your wake-up call, folks!

Really well done podcast, about the horrors of being stuck in the CPS /CFS system. I particularly loved the segments from the attorneys involved and the judge. You don’t usually get that kind of peek behind the curtains.

A shot into reality I was not ready for, friends. I cried at the sounds of those cries. I cried for the children and parents. A vital look into how things can go so wrong, so quickly, far too often. Beautiful work.

Incredibly biased reporting. CPS had good reason to investigate and remove the children (the Brights knowingly violated the terms of the agreement with CPS to leave the kids with an family member while the investigation continued). But the reporting makes out CPS to be the big bad of the series, while glossing over the concerns of the doctors who are experts at recognizing abuse. And Melissa’s culpability for Mason’s injury was mostly brushed under the rug. I understand that people make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have to face consequences. And Melissa was unequivocally at fault for the baby’s injury. I was shocked when the Brights decided to just move their kids back home and assumed CPS had moved on. Peak white privilege. I’m leaving 3 stars instead of 1 to counter all the folks claiming that racism doesn’t exist in the world. It was absolutely a factor.

There were huge differences between the families: class, education, and generational wealth. Any defendant who, at the drop of a hat, has 120k for lawyers PLUS the knowledge of single party consent states and recordings etc. AND can read and understand medical literature has such a leg up, it’s like comparing peewee football to the NFL. How the reporters do not see that is beyond me. Also, CPS caseworkers are underpaid and severely overworked, so they cling to the “process” as a life raft. Our litigious society practically forces a case worker to be an automaton and have such deference to “experts” you would think they are Gods. Once CPS puts you on a track, the only way off is the 130k lawyer. Also, never knowing anyone that had a case with CPS? Perhaps they just do not know many people? It seems practically standard with divorce and other domestic disputes.

One of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened too. This social problem is critical. CPS does the opposite of what they’re supposed to do, and so many lives are crushed in silence, while the people they’re actually supposed to go after, get the kids stolen from good parents who were railroaded by bureaucratic power-tripping of middle managment caseworkers who double-dip in stealing money from the County and from the children’s trust funds. Same thing happens with APS — but via psychwards or Conservatorships. This needs more attention. How can anything change if people aren’t paying attention to the institutions that can take away you or your loved ones without trial, charge, judge or jury in this country. The Investigative Journalism on this piece is something unparalleled. Thank you.

Disturbing but extremely well reported. Riveting.

Really awesome, gripping story that had all of the emotions. At some points you were so angry, then upset, then astonished. Good quick podcast that was at a really good pace. Would recommend to anyone.

Different perspective on how CPS failed the children they are supposed to be protecting. Cried a lot…my heart breaks for these parents. Their strength is inspiring. Great story telling.

Well done on spreading light on the severe shortcomings of CPS. How dare they be allowed to take children under such circumstances. Then to add insult to injury return children from foster homes injured. I’m thoroughly disgusted. And the racism. Don’t even get me started. I’m fuming. If they actually had trained staff and sensible protocols, maybe, just maybe, children in REAL danger wouldn’t end up slipping through the cracks and dead and families that have done nothing wrong wouldn’t be put through such hellish trauma.

Literal steam is pouring out of my ears as I listen to this podcast. Good for you for getting the story out there. These CPS people need to be put in jail.

A horrible story but told very well. I was so scared for these parents and children. Somewhere there has to be a solution that both protects children and their families. I feel the Brights should go after the case workers personally. Especially since the judge ruled the way the case workers showed malice in the removal of their children.

So important and essential to learn about these injustices, but torturous to listen to, especially season 1. Cried several times and im not a cryer. Recommend, but get ready for a haunting ride.

As a pediatric RN, there have definitely been times I have thought to myself, these parents are (nuts, crazy, hurting their kid, exaggerating). I’ve judged people solely by looking at a chart and/or a short conversation. I ruled them guilty by “public” opinion. This podcast not only opened my eyes to the idea that there are good families out there that lose their kids (seriously?! There are kids who are forced to see birth families over and over only to get their hearts broken over and over; how does the opposite happen?!) but made me realize I simply CANNOT judge based on a snippet on time. It is not fair. These stories are heartbreaking and unbelievable. The fact that it was acknowledged that because mom had no idea how baby obtained a 2nd fracture made her guilty was so sad. Terrifying, really. I never understood why people choose to lie when they think they are in trouble with the law. This is proof that it can be “necessary.” Excellent. I wish there were more.

I have cried during each episode. It is absolutely insane that this issue is so prevalent. These people deserve to be heard.

Sobbing while binge listening. I’ll never be the same after my own experience & listening to theirs just pushes the dagger deeper. I LOATHE this agency. If the line is bright, CPS sure is blind. They neglect the ones that need them & intrude where they’re not needed nor wanted - ruing lives beyond repair. I’m so glad that everywhere I turn these days people are waking up & more light is being shed on their corruption. I hope this podcast reaches all of the naive parents who “have nothing to hide” & “would comply without issue” thinking this would never happen to them… boy are they sadly mistaken. I hope everyone wakes up so this agency can be rebuilt from the ground up & do what they were originally intended to do. Save kids that need them NOT break & kill the ones that don’t. There is so much blood on their hands. Thank you for this podcast. My heart goes out to every parent on here & every parent in the world that has had to endure the havoc they wreak… I have to add in here how disappointed I am with the low star reviews from people upset that race was brought into this… how ignorant can you be? How does shedding light on the systemic racism in our country in general, but most importantly within our government, “biased” or a “turn off”?! Wake up! White privilege & fragility at its finest. POC are disproportionately gone after by CPS. Do your own research before you call anyone “biased”. It’s absolutely not. This is a huge issue & anyone who works for a metropolitan agency will confirm this.

I like this show it certainly shows how cps harms more children and tear family’s apart

This story is just one example of the millions of injustices black families face in our world. The Butlers faced every obstacle the Brights did, but 100 times as harsh. Can you imagine being blatantly lied to about “injuries” your child has not even endured, your children taken away for OVER A YEAR, charged with a felony for supposedly abusing your child whom you adore, told you have to live apart from your spouse to dissociate yourself from them, and being told by a judge they will refuse to give your children back to you because they can’t fathom the idea for no real reason?? The Brights endured pain for a few months with community support and National media attention while the Butlers had to suffer alone. The Butlers only won their case over 19 months after the injury due to the precedence the Brights case set for them. There are so many similarities but one difference, race. Stop whitewashing everything.

What a gripping, bingeable podcast. The stories are heartbreaking and the reporting/delivery was amazing. I cried with these parents and had an understanding now of why so many say the “system” is stacked against us. When CPS can lie with impunity for months, it just shakes your faith. Well done.

When you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail. And CPS and these abuse pediatricians are two very, very big hammers.

Very important matter for this podcast to cover. I am completely enraged with how the system worked, ignoring its own attorney and seemingly NO ONE investigated either of the foster homes the Bright children were put in? Obvious abuse and neglect in those foster homes in the 2 days they were there and no one answers to that?? Why did only one family get paid for their attorney fees? Why did they not win a pain and suffering amount??

Haveing worked in Mental Health throughout my career I completely recognize how minorities and poor whites are treated unfairly by CPS. It’s not surprising that middle and upper class minority Americans experience the same. It is exceptionally unfortunate that I’ve seen many, many times. More times that I wish to remember.

I couldn’t stop listening to this podcast. You’ll be shocked at how easily CPS basically kidnapped these children. So sad that government has this much control. Wake up people. This is happening all over the country and sadly it seems nearly impossible to stop!

Outstanding work!

This podcast was very well researched, written, and told. It broke my heart for the families and truly opened my eyes to problems I didn’t know existed. Highly recommend taking a listen. Excellent job!

The reporting is really good in this podcast. It really opens your eyes to the system.

The first five episodes were great, but there was no way NBC was going to allow this to go on without pushing an agenda. The 6th episode compares two different outcomes with two families who had very similar situations. The difference in the two outcomes is decidedly race. It’s not the work done by one family to document the meetings with CPS, documentation that helped build the case. It was not that one family networked within their church to quickly find the appropriate legal representation while the other family went from lawyer to lawyer trying to find someone that could properly defend them. It was not one family drawing a line and going on the offense while the other capitulated to the CPS recommendations to the brink of destruction. It could only be race. This should be a story that unites us against tyranny, but instead is intended to divide us with the political party of only one abusive judge being identified throughout the story. I’m left feeling horrible for both families, yet knowing that this story will accomplish nothing because narrative is more important to the producers than truth.

Excellent reporting. Honestly, listening to this, I wondered at many points whether the physicians or CPS workers were on the take. I’m surprised it wasn’t raised by the reporter or a judge. Spinal fractures in a child who is walking and bouncing?? Taking the 5th during questioning about children who were actively harmed while in the state’s custody? I was shaking with rage as a mother during so many episodes.

To the people giving this a 1 star because they “made it about race”: There is absolutely a difference in how these families were treated. I’m not sure why that’s so hard to acknowledge. There is no single bad guy here and there’s almost certainly no one sitting there saying “we’re going to treat these people differently because they’re black” - but from the severity of the falsified diagnoses to the criminal charges to the judge refusing to make any accommodation - this couple was treated differently by virtually everyone involved. Black people are treated differently in this country. That’s a fact. If you feel personally called out when that fact is acknowledged, you may want to examine why that is.

The reporting is fantastic, but CPS definitely dropped the ball on hiring uneducated and careless individuals that have way too much power in deciding innocent people’s lives!