Poverty Is Not Neglect: When CPS Misidentifies Struggling Parents as Abusers

Imagine a teacher notices a student wearing a coat that’s too small in the middle of winter, or a doctor observes that a child at a well-child checkup appears undernourished. Often, these professionals do what they’ve been trained to do—they call the CPS hotline to report suspected neglect.

But is that really the best way to help?

Not always. In fact, for many families, a CPS investigation does more harm than good when the real issue is financial hardship—not neglect or abuse.

A Hungry Child Doesn’t Always Need CPS—They Need Help

A child who is hungry because their parents can’t afford groceries doesn’t need a CPS caseworker. They need someone to connect their family with a local food pantry or community assistance program. And a child without a proper winter coat doesn’t need their parents to be investigated—they need a warm coat and a helping hand, not legal consequences.

Unfortunately, in Michigan and across the country, poverty is often mistaken for parental failure. But struggling to pay the bills doesn’t make someone a bad parent.

CPS Involvement Can Create More Harm Than Help

Even when CPS workers act with the best of intentions, their involvement in cases rooted in poverty can lead to devastating consequences. A CPS visit—especially when unfounded—can damage a family’s stability and reputation:

• Social stigma: Neighbors, coworkers, or school staff may assume the worst simply because CPS showed up.
• Permanent records: Parents may now have a CPS “history,” even if the claim was baseless, which can affect future matters like custody or employment.
• Unnecessary requirements: Parents may be ordered to complete parenting classes, therapy, or supervised visits, even when there’s no actual neglect.
• Emotional trauma: Children often experience fear and confusion when CPS enters their home, and parents may live in constant anxiety about losing custody.

The result? More stress for families already struggling—and no real solutions to the underlying issue.

Mislabeling Poverty as Neglect Only Deepens the Crisis

Being poor is not a crime. Yet many low-income families in Michigan live under the shadow of CPS intervention, fearing that their parenting will be scrutinized simply because they lack financial resources.

Children removed from their homes—even temporarily—often suffer emotional damage. They may feel abandoned, scared, or ashamed. Meanwhile, their parents face an uphill battle to prove their worthiness to raise their own children—all while trying to survive economically.

Instead of punishing families, the focus should be on supporting them with access to food, housing, healthcare, and clothing assistance. Unfortunately, our child protection system often chooses coercion over compassion.

If CPS Comes Knocking, Know Your Rights

At The Kronzek Firm, we’ve spent decades defending Michigan parents accused of abuse or neglect—many of whom were simply struggling financially. Poverty is not a form of abuse, and it shouldn’t be treated like one.

If CPS contacts you, shows up at your home, or makes accusations about your parenting choices, you don’t have to face them alone. The earlier we get involved, the more we can do to protect your rights and your family.

📞 Call our experienced CPS defense attorneys at (866) 766-5245 today. We are available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to help families throughout Michigan.

Your parenting shouldn’t be criminalized just because you’re struggling. Let us help you fight back.