My Nephews Knocked on My Door at 4 A.M. in Their Pajamas. What Their Parents Did Was Unforgivable
“We open a formal investigation. We interview the parents, inspect the home, and determine if the children are safe. If they’re not, we’ll file for emergency custody and place them with a relative—likely you—until the case is resolved.”
“How long does that take?”
“Depends on the findings. Could be weeks; could be months.”
Emma showed up at 9:30 a.m. She looked terrible—no makeup, hair in a messy bun, and eyes swollen from crying.
“Mark, please. I need to see my kids.”
Monica stepped forward.
“Mrs. Patterson, I’m Monica Rivera with DCFS. We need to speak with you and your husband.”
Emma’s face crumpled.
“This is insane, Mark. You called CPS on me?”
“On the situation,”
I said.
“The boys were locked out three times in freezing weather.”
“We didn’t mean to.”
“Intent doesn’t matter. They could have gotten hypothermia, been hurt, or been abducted. Do you understand how serious this is?”
“They’re fine.”
“They’re traumatized. Jake told Monica he’s scared to go home. Does that sound fine to you?”
She started crying real tears this time.
“I’m their mother.”
“Then act like it.”
Brad pulled up 10 minutes later and saw the DCFS van in my driveway. He stormed over.
“You have no right!”
James stepped in.
“I’m James Park, DCFS supervisor. We need to speak with you and your wife now.”
“About what?”
“About why your children were locked outside in 36-degree weather at 4:00 a.m.”
“That was an accident.”
“For the third time,”
Monica said.
“That’s a pattern, Mr. Patterson, not an accident.”
“You can’t take our kids.”
“We can, and we will, if we determine they’re unsafe.”
Brad looked at me with pure hatred in his eyes.
“This is your fault.”
“No,”
I said.
“This is yours.”
They interviewed Emma and Brad for over an hour. I couldn’t hear everything, but I heard enough.
Brad’s voice was loud and defensive.
“They’re my kids; I’ll discipline them however I want.”
Monica’s response was calm and firm.
“Locking children outside in freezing temperatures isn’t discipline; it’s endangerment.”
I heard Emma’s voice pleading.
“Please, we’ll do better. We’ll be more careful.”
“This isn’t about being careful, Mrs. Patterson,”
James said.
“This is about your children’s safety. And right now, we don’t believe they’re safe in your home.”
At 11:15 a.m., Monica came back inside.
“We’re recommending emergency custody,”
She said.
“The children will stay with you pending a court hearing.”
“When’s the hearing?”
“Within 72 hours. The judge will determine next steps.”
“What are the options?”
“Reunification with the parents, extended custody with you, or foster care if no relative is available.”
“I’m available.”
“Good. We’ll need you to complete some paperwork, a background check, and a home inspection. Standard procedure.”
“Whatever it takes.”
Emma was sobbing in the driveway while Brad was yelling at James. I closed the door and walked back to the kitchen.
Jake and Tommy were still at the table, quiet and watching.
“Are we staying here?”
Jake asked.
“For now,”
I said.
“Are we in trouble?”
“No, buddy. You’re not in trouble. None of this is your fault.”
Tommy climbed into my lap.
“I don’t want to go home.”
Something inside me cracked.
“You don’t have to.”
