Seattle Now Weekend Listen: Washington made it harder for CPS to separate families. Critics say kids are less safe
8 snips
Jan 31, 2026 Eilish O'Neill, an investigative reporter for KUOW, digs into Washington's child welfare law changes and their fallout. She traces families torn apart, policy shifts that limit removals, and heartbreaking cases tied to substance exposure. The story weighs reforms meant to prevent harm against reports of rising child deaths and strained social workers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pregnancy, Treatment, And Losing Custody
- Mariah lost custody of her newborn despite entering treatment and using methadone, which deepened her addiction.
- She later relapsed and faced repeated separations from her children, illustrating personal harm from removal.
Higher Legal Bar For Removing Children
- Washington changed rules so hospitals can use an online tool before calling CPS and judges must find imminent physical harm to remove children.
- Judges now must weigh harms of separation when deciding custody.
Grandmother's Loss After CPS Declines Custody
- Danette cared for her granddaughter Avril and notified CPS when the mother relapsed, but workers declined custody and Avril later died of fentanyl exposure.
- Danette blames the Keeping Families Together Act for the missed intervention.