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Overpolicing Parents

How America’s CPS Dragnet Ensnares Families

An investigation in partnership with NBC News uncovers the unequal treatment of poor families and parents of color by the child welfare system.

Impact of Our Reporting
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Overpolicing Parents

Child Welfare Officials Have Searched Her Home and Her Son Dozens of Times. She’s Suing Them to Stop.

Despite no evidence a mother mistreated her child, New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services continues to enter her home without a warrant. She has filed a lawsuit, citing ProPublica’s reporting, arguing her rights are being violated.

by Eli Hager,

Overpolicing Parents

Arizona’s Governor-Elect Chooses Critic of Racial Disparities in Child Welfare to Lead CPS Agency

Matthew Stewart will become the first Black leader of the Department of Child Safety, which ProPublica and NBC News found had investigated the families of 1 in 3 Black children in metro Phoenix during a recent five-year period.

by Eli Hager,

8 stories published since 2022

Texas, New York Diverge on Requiring Miranda-Style Warnings in Child Welfare Cases

by Eli Hager,

Native American Families Are Being Broken Up in Spite of a Law Meant to Keep Children With Their Parents

by Jessica Lussenhop and Agnel Philip, photography by Jaida Grey Eagle for ProPublica,

In Child Welfare Cases, Most of Your Constitutional Rights Don’t Apply

by Eli Hager,

The “Death Penalty” of Child Welfare: In Six Months or Less, Some Parents Lose Their Kids Forever

by Agnel Philip and Eli Hager, ProPublica, and Suzy Khimm, NBC News, photography by Stephanie Mei-Ling, special to ProPublica and NBC News,

For Black Families in Phoenix, Child Welfare Investigations Are a Constant Threat

by Eli Hager and Agnel Philip, ProPublica, and Hannah Rappleye, NBC News, photography by Stephanie Mei-Ling, special to ProPublica and NBC News,

How We Analyzed Child Welfare Investigations

by Agnel Philip and Eli Hager, ProPublica, and Suzy Khimm, NBC News,

Police Need Warrants to Search Homes. Child Welfare Agents Almost Never Get One.

by Eli Hager, photography by Stephanie Mei-Ling, special to ProPublica and NBC News,

Mandatory Reporting Was Supposed to Stop Severe Child Abuse. It Punishes Poor Families Instead.

by Mike Hixenbaugh and Suzy Khimm, NBC News, and Agnel Philip, ProPublica, photography by Stephanie Mei-Ling, special to ProPublica and NBC News,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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