In Texas, a Child Protective Services Worker (CPS) was fired for allegedly telling a 14-year-old child to become a prostitute.
The unidentified CPS worker was filmed by the child after the worker allegedly suggested the child become a prostitute several times previously.
The CPS Commissioner reportedly traveled to meet with the girl and her family to make an apology.
The girl's mother, Keisha Bazley, told Fox 26 Houston:
“This should not happen to girls in their care."
"It should not happen. It’s unacceptable."
You can see news coverage here:
Bazley originally contacted CPS to help her when her daughter started running away and getting in trouble at school.
After the video of the CPS employee telling Bazley's daughter to go become a prostitute, Bazley lodged a formal complaint.
She said:
“If me, the parent, was to do something like this to my child, I would be bashed."
"I would be called a horrible parent. I would lose my kids."
Reactions were uniformly disgusted with the CPS worker's comments.
I feel like this is the opposite to what child protective services is supposed to be doing. https://t.co/hwza98SmDR
— DISSIDENT (@philthatremains) August 15, 2022
Child PROTECTIVE Services- not child exploitation services or child sexual services...this social workers career should be over. Forever. Un-effing believable.
— ellgirl64 🇺🇸 gettr: @ellgirl (@ellgirl64) August 16, 2022
This is the most disturbing thing I’ve seen in a long time CPS workers in Texas encouraging 14-year-old girls in CPS custody to be prostitutes if they want to eat also they’re sleeping in hotels how was that normal how is that a thing?
— Kris (@krysslylitu) August 15, 2022
Many people connected this alleged incident to the larger problems CPS—especially CPS in Texas—has.
This is just the tip of the iceberg with CPS in Texas, I was told by several attorney friends that they are the most powerful agency in Texas and have little to no oversight or recourse against what they do. Judges have cosigned this lady hundreds of times, thats why she did this
— MK Perez (@MKPerez10) August 15, 2022
Also...
"The Texas Tribune reported in March 2022 that a private childcare facility that was operated with a state contract was shut down after staff members were found to be trafficking children who were being care for."https://t.co/Loh8suGa4u
— Bonnie Blue (@BonnieBlueTK) August 16, 2022
Others specifically called out the decisions of Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott as culpable in this system.
A 14 year old girl was told by a CPS worker in TX to become a prostitute.
This is what happens when a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General consistently overlook & ignore sexual abuse & neglect within the CPS and Foster care system. @GregAbbott_TX any comments?
— Olivia Julianna 🗳 (@0liviajulianna) August 14, 2022
Sickening. CPS is grossly underfunded & understaffed. Texas lowered the standards to qualify for a caseworker job & it shows.
This is on Greg Abbott.
— Audreena 🦋 (@audreena4tress) August 14, 2022
Others remarked this sort of abuse is unfortunately common with people in positions of authority over those without power.
Working in mental health, I have seen too many Doctors, nurses, case managers, care coordinators, therapist, and social workers try and play God with people. Withholding, threatening, or experimenting on client's & their families.
This is sickening.
— Mr_Mask1337 (@Mr_Mask1337) August 16, 2022
Finally, there were those who pointed out CPS is the place unwanted children of people forced to give birth in a state with harsh abortion laws—like Texas—would go.
TX Child protective services encouraging children to become prostitutes to survive. But yeah…let’s make abortion and birth control illegal. https://t.co/MavhoM4buS
— I’m Just Here To (@DeniseRFerrara) August 15, 2022
Yet they still think forcing women to give birth is a great idea.
— “I AM” ☮️ of the Taino Africana 🇵🇷✊🏾✊🏿💕 (@LunaG23) August 14, 2022
Its seems like the under funding and under staffing are nationwide. Plenty of money for pro life causes. These people only care about the fetus, the child born can fend for itself.
— Tracie Hartman (@TracieHartman16) August 14, 2022
A spokesperson from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services issued a statement to Fox 26:
"DFPS is aware of the video and has taken action. The person in the video—who was employed as CPS support staff—was dismissed from her position August 10."
‘The safety and appropriateness with which children in care must be treated is our paramount concern. Nothing less will be tolerated.”