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Parents involved in CPS cases are often told the system is designed to help them succeed. In reality, many of us learn the hard way that the system teaches one thing and punishes another—especially when substance use is involved.

Part 1 of 2:

This is the part of Everleigh’s story that rarely makes it into court orders or case notes—the part that happened to me after I refused to stay silent. When I questioned decisions that didn’t make sense, I was told to stop asking. When I asked for documentation, I was treated as difficult. When I raised concerns about Everleigh’s placement and safety, the response was not investigation—it was pressure. Visits became limited instead of increased. Information stopped flowing. I was told to “wait” while my child became more inaccessible. The message was clear: compliance mattered more than clarity. As I continued to speak up, the narrative shifted away from Everleigh and onto me. My emotional responses to separation and fear were reframed as instability. My insistence on transparency was labeled conflict.

Nobody tells you what it’s like to grieve a child who is still alive. To carry a weight that has no funeral, no closure, no moment to cry openly in front of the world. They exist, breathing somewhere, but not with you. Not in your arms. Not in your home. And that absence… it steals your breath.

“the system exists to protect children at all costs.”

If you’re reading this alone — physically or emotionally — please know this first: there is nothing wrong with you. Being alone during the holidays doesn’t mean you failed. It means life changed, and you’re still here, figuring out how to stand in it. This is not a guide to “making it magical.” This is a guide to making it through.

Justice isn’t just a word—it’s a promise to protect children when they need it most. At Justice 4 Everleigh Grace, our mission is simple but urgent: to raise our voices, ask for help, and ensure that every child is safe, seen, and heard.