the letter doesn’t say, and the reporter may or may not have had good reason. we don’t know based on the information provided.

the fact that a report was made does not inherently mean that abuse or neglect was taking place, only that someone reported concern. the fact that the report is being investigated does not mean that abuse or neglect was taking place, only that someone with CPS agreed to open a case based on what they were told.

i could call CPS and say that you are abusing a child or other vulnerable person, provide enough information about you and a plausible concern (in theory at least, whether it’s based in fact or not), and CPS could choose to follow up on that report. i can make this report and they can investigate regardless of whether there is any actual evidence of abuse or neglect.

children are not property, but consent is also important.

i wouldn’t assume the best of CPS. in my work, i see many families who are dealing with CPS, and it is often an unjust shitshow for families.

the notion that an agency should exist to protect the interests of vulnerable people is obviously a good one. in practice, many workers are undereducated, overworked, often lacking professionalism, and empowered by the state to enact bias against families and family members who may also be vulnerable.

cps, unfortunately, should be viewed in context of our country’s history of criminalizing and victimizing minorities (people of color, people experiencing poverty, women and sexual minorities). they do some good work. they also hurt a lot of people they should not, including children.

this parent did not find it weird to be asked, because that’s what they wanted. they requested that staff seek their consent before providing care.

i don’t think the parent denied testing. when asked, they consented.

edit “when they asked me, i gave them permission.”

it looks like this person wanted to be consulted before any care/treatment was provided to their children. when asked, they agreed to suggested care.

it looks like there is an error in their post. i do not read their statement to mean they accepted care for their own self and not for their children.

well, that escalated quickly

also, this is why ciswomen will sometimes use the men’s restroom. long line, desperation, potentially exacerbated by the fact that birthing children sometimes makes it harder to wait afterward.

side note - i almost never clock anyone as trans. i figure most people don’t, or don’t correctly (i have heard of people challenging butch ciswomen). how would most folks even know?! just mind your business and do your business, and let others do the same.

then look at it this way - which of them is more likely to act on a stupid impulse, and is surrounded by incompetent, lying yes-men?