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Comment by qualeed | Hacker News Reader

>During that visit, I was told that children could never be left alone, inside or outside the home—EVEN IN THEIR OWN BEDROOMS—until they were 13 years old. Social Services said specifically that I had to be in each room with them at all times until they were 13.

This must be a mistake from the CPS agent, surely? For one, it's obviously absurd (you'd get a CPS call if they found out you were "supervising" your 12 year old in the bathroom or while changing), but secondly (and I might be mistaken), in most places I've looked at/known people/lived in, you are allowed to privately babysit at the age of 12.

In any case, this whole thing is a bit too rage-inducing for a Monday morning read.

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No it’s not a mistake. Search social media and you’ll find lots of reports like these. CPS will create absurd and unrealistic rules like the ones you name, specifically because they know no parent will meet those standards and it lets them get involved. If they bring police, the police will simply back up their rules even though they know it’s absurd. The type of people who work in CPS are often unhinged types already, and they do this to justify their existence on the taxpayer’s dime.

Just remember you don’t need to talk to them or let them into your home. Anything you say or they see is evidence they can use against you. Force them to go get a court order or warrant.

> Just remember you don’t need to talk to them or let them into your home.

Unfortunately, not in California: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40381801

IANAL, but my understanding of CA law is that it's more complicated than that:

1. Just like the police, they can only go in without a warrant if they have a reasonable belief that there is imminent danger to a child. They must have a specific thing in mind, not just "vibes." Bringing your child to the door to show them they are fine would often be sufficient to quash that (but you can't do that if your child isn't home).

2. Refusing to be interviewed by CPS and/or denying them access to your children can be used against you in family court (unlike when you are being interrogated by the police).

3. From the ACLU of SoCal(https://www.aclusocal.org/en/know-your-rights/california-chi...):

> If there is no warrant and no emergency and you do not want to allow the investigator in your home, you can say something like, “Sorry, this isn’t a good time for me, but I’d be happy to schedule a visit on a later date.” By offering an alternative date like the next day or later in the week, you can plan to be more prepared for a visit, but also show cooperation. If you refuse any visit, that can be used as evidence against you later in the investigation. Depending on the situation, follow-up visits can take place either at home or the CPS office.

Government as an institution suffers from the same staffing problem that homelessness does.

The good ones are up and out.

I was able to walk to the corner store and make purchases/transactions that my parents sent me for at the age of 8. These people are out of their minds if they want constant supervision inside the house until the age of 13.

Also it sounds a bit challenging to be in multiple rooms at once and without sleep.

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