Here’s a truth that shouldn’t be controversial: Children should not be sent back to parents who severely abuse them—or facilitate the abuse.
Thankfully, the Michigan Supreme Court just made that clear in a major ruling.
The case involved a 9-year-old girl whose mother knowingly trafficked her. A lower court had given the mom her parental rights back, but the state’s highest court overturned that decision after the Center for the Rights of Abused Children stepped in with a legal brief.
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case. Stories like this are becoming all too familiar. Here in Minnesota, it’s getting harder to remove kids from dangerous situations.
The system seems more focused on reunification than child safety.
“You don’t get a pass to harm a child just because you’re called mom,” said attorney Tom Jose, Director of the Center’s pro bono Children’s Law Clinic. “When a parent becomes a predator, the law must protect the child—not preserve a title.”
Yes, when it’s safe, children belong with their families. But when it’s not, they should be placed in a safe environment.
This should be common sense.