Child Protection Services ordered to pay $127K to Texas parents
HOUSTON — A Texas judge has ordered Child Protective Services to pay more than $127,000 for wrongfully removing a couple’s children and allegedly lying to the court about the removal.
The Houston Chronicle reports that a Harris County Judge Mike Schneider on Thursday announced sanctions against Child Protective Services, requiring the agency to come up with new training for its workers. Attorneys for Melissa and Dillon Bright are also calling for the firing of the CPS workers involved in wrongfully removing the Brights’ two young children in September.
The attorneys say the Brights’ case is a sign of a “broken system” and the need for more accountability.
Schneider called the agency “dishonest” and possibly “malicious” during the ruling Thursday.
CPS spokeswoman Tejal Patel says the agency is reviewing options, including an appeal.
