A cloud is over our farm

[farm4mom]

I live outside a major city on a medium-sized cattle farm.
We have a key-carded security gate out of site from our house
(prevents people from letting livestock out or stealing). I've homeschooled
3 healthy children for the past 11 years, which is perfectly
legal.
Point: with no court order CPS can't knock on our door.
Four and a half weeks ago my husband got a message on his business line
from CPS wanting to meet the entire family. We called back and left
a message asking specifically what they wanted.

Three weeks passed; no response. We called them again
and left a message: "was that call was about something or
dropped, if not you have to legally disclose specific allegations. "
My husband again got a message at work stating simply we were under investigation and
we had to come into their office as a family. No explanation
of accusations.

A whole nother month passed with no contact at home, mail, phone, etc.

We hired a local attorney because we were sick of worrying
what might happen if a kid picked up the phone and said "mamas
doin the dishes right now" and they claimed that was abuse or something..
Three and a half weeks later the attorney has not heard anything.

Has any gone through this? I have no idea what got said. Everyone I see is
kind of suspect in my mind now. I am afraid my children are going to be
snatched at 4H or something. The lawyer says this is unusual but no news is good
news, and if we push things we are just asking for grief. Like
we are going to be under some permanent unknown threat of some sort.
What kind of report could cause CPS to act/not-act like this?

[anxiousmom]

I wouldn't contact CPS.

Just wait & see if they contact you again.

I know it is anxiety provoking.

Usually they can NOT close a case out until they have seen the children & talked to them----made sure they are safe/being fed/clothes, etc. & talked to the parents.

If they contact you again, I would not take your family into their office. I would have them come to your home, BUT do NOT let them IN your house! Bring the children outside for them to see the kids.

They HAVE to tell you what the specific allegations are.

[LindaJM]

How about agreeing to meet in your lawyer's office? Would he permit that?

I'm sure the allegations couldn't be too serious or they would have acted on this before now. Unless there's an emergency situation they can't take your children without a court order.

I too wouldn't call them. If they call you again... maybe you can tell them all contact will have to be through your attorney in the future, and that you'll meet with them in his office.

[MaggieC]

In my state CPS has 60 days to close the case, period whether or not the children are interviewed. Check your state statutes on this.

[LindaJM]

Not only the statutes, but the social service regulations. They should be at your local law library. The more you read the more you learn.