Parental alienation can be a heartbreaking experience. When one parent tries to manipulate or turn a child against the other parent, it feels like a betrayal that runs deep.

If you suspect that this is happening to your child, you might be wondering if you can involve Child Protective Services (CPS) to help fix the situation. We'll break down the criteria for involving CPS, whether that's the best course of action, and what alternatives might be more effective.

What Exactly Does CPS Do?

CPS' primary role is to ensure the safety and well-being of children. They step in when a child is at risk of immediate harm, such as cases of physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse. These are the kinds of situations where CPS typically investigates and takes action.

Though parental alienation is emotionally damaging, it doesn’t always fall under CPS' usual criteria unless it directly leads to neglect or abuse. The complexity of alienation often involves subtle psychological manipulation, which may not be obvious to outside agencies like CPS.

The Limitations of CPS in Parental Alienation Cases

Unfortunately, CPS may not be the best resource for addressing parental alienation.

Here’s why:

Lack of Expertise in Psychological Issues

CPS workers are trained to handle physical dangers and neglect. They may not have the time or resources to thoroughly investigate the complex psychological elements involved in alienation.

Difficulty Proving Alienation

Parental alienation is tricky to prove. It often involves behaviors like bad-mouthing the other parent or restricting communication, which are hard to document and don't necessarily seem harmful at first glance.

Overwhelmed System

CPS is often overburdened with high caseloads, making it hard for them to prioritize cases that don’t involve clear and immediate harm.

If you call CPS without solid evidence of abuse or neglect, it’s possible that your concerns will not be taken as seriously as you'd like.

Could Calling CPS Backfire?

Yes, calling CPS can sometimes make things worse. Involving an external agency like CPS can create more conflict between you and the other parent, which can harm your child further. It could also lead to an environment where the child feels stuck in the middle, worsening the emotional impact of the alienation.

You also risk the CPS accusing you of making unfounded accusations if the agency determines that there isn’t enough evidence to take action. This can be problematic if your case later goes to family court, as it might make you appear less credible in the eyes of the judge.

So, What Should You Do?

If you're dealing with parental alienation, there are more effective steps you can take before involving CPS.

Document Everything

Keep a detailed record of every instance of alienating behavior. Write down specific dates and examples of actions or statements that show manipulation. The more evidence you have, the better chance you’ll have of convincing the court that alienation is occurring.

Get a Child Psychologist Involved

A professional evaluation from a child psychologist can help assess the emotional damage being caused by the alienation. A psychologist can provide valuable testimony in court, and their involvement may also help your child deal with the emotional fallout.

 Consult with a Family Law Attorney

Your next step should be reaching out to a family law attorney who has experience with parental alienation cases. They can guide you through your options and help develop a plan to protect your relationship with your child.

Legal Remedies for Parental Alienation

If the alienation continues despite your best efforts, you can take legal action.. Here are some options your attorney might suggest:

• Modify Custody Arrangements: If you can prove that the alienation is harmful to your child, the court might decide to change the custody or visitation schedule to limit the other parent's influence.
• Request Reunification Therapy: This court-ordered counseling can help repair the relationship between the alienated parent and the child.
• Seek a Custody Evaluator: A neutral third party can assess the family dynamics and report their findings to the court, which can help support your case.

In severe cases, the court might even impose consequences on the alienating parent, such as supervised visitation or a change in custody.

Suspect Parental Alienation? Let Us Help.

Dealing with parental alienation is emotionally exhausting, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC, we understand how crucial the bond with your child is, and we’re here to offer support and guidance.

Contact us today at (855)-426-9111 for a confidential consultation. It's the first step toward safeguarding your relationship with your child.