Petition for the Protection of Houston’s Children! WHEREAS, stories of Children’s Protective Services’ failure to protect known victims of child abuse and neglect continue to dominate our news despite years of studies, investigations, and the addition of hundreds of millions of our tax dollars. Almost 50% of all child murders in our State involved children previously known to CPS, and, two thirds of all confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect are closed by CPS without ever providing any protection to these children. WHEREAS, CPS’ priority of preserving the “family unit” endangers rather than protects children where the homes fit no traditional notion of “family.” Houston-area children, Emma Thompson, Amber Maccurdy, David Tijerina, and countless others would still be alive today had CPS taken reasonable actions to remove them from their clearly dangerous homes. NOW THEREFORE, we the undersigned citizens call for the following actions to be taken by our community leaders: • Because child abuse is a crime, police should be given the lead role in investigating crimes against children. This will ensure better quality investigations and the removal of children in dangerous homes; • Assure that police and CPS have instant access to the criminal history and prior child abuse investigations when investigating crimes against children; • Require that the physical safety and emotional well-being of abused and neglected children take priority over “family preservation” in decision-making regarding the placement of children; • Make CPS accountable to the taxpayers of Texas by providing greater access to information about the outcomes on cases and establishing independent oversight for the agency. CONTACT YOUR ELECTED STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU DEMAND CHANGE TO THIS SERIOUSLY FLAWED SYSTEM. A RECOMMENDED FORM MAY BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE. Sponsored by Justice for Children©. For more information about Justice for Children and what can be done to help Houston’s abused and neglected children, go to our website at www.justiceforchildren.org or call (713) 225-HELP. Copies of signed petitions should be mailed to “Justice for Children, 2600 Southwest Frwy., Suite 806, Houston, TX 77098” or emailed to the attention of Debra McLaurin at [email protected] .