DEAR EDITOR:

There is something deeply broken in the legal and child protection systems in Northeast Ohio — and it’s putting children’s lives at risk.

In my own case, I sought emergency custody of my children after providing clear, documented examples of ongoing danger in their father’s home. The court denied ex parte custody. I turned to Children’s Protective Services (CPS), hoping someone would take the threats seriously. They refused to open a case — despite multiple incidents, including emotional abuse, physical punishment with objects and unsafe situations involving water and broken toys. Then, just when I expected my day in court, my pretrial hearing — the one that could have granted temporary custody and protection — was canceled. The magistrate was suddenly unavailable. My case was reassigned yet again, with no clear path forward while my children remain in danger.

This isn’t just my story. Just a county away, CPS declined to open a case after a father pulled a gun on his own children. How does something that extreme not warrant investigation?

The silence, the inaction and the constant bureaucratic delays are not just frustrating — they are dangerous. The legal system is meant to protect children, not expose them to further trauma. But in Northeast Ohio, it feels like cries for help are falling on deaf ears.

I am writing not for sympathy, but for accountability. This pattern of systemic failure demands attention, investigation and immediate reform. We cannot wait until tragedy strikes to realize the cost of ignoring warning signs.

PAM YODER

Orwell