Closed Unfounded CPS case flagged during Nursing School application process

Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi. 

I started my prerequisites for nursing school in 2018.  I had to take some time off in 2020 because my eldest son was not attending school, using drugs and acting out in impulsive and out of character ways. I literally had to sit outside his classroom period during the day to make sure he went to school and I worked during the night part time just keep a roof over our heads. 

During this time my son was also hanging out with several people I did not approve of. I had to trespass many of these individuals from my property because they were minors and they were drinking underage at my house. One of the individual we will call him Danny was dating a trans woman that was 28. A 28 year old dating a senior in high school was a big red flag for me. This trans woman had changed her name from her bio name so it took me about a month after the allegation hit CPS to figure out who this individual was in their previous life. It turns out the Trans woman had served time in Indiana for Stalking and Harassment and along with reporting CPS on the parents of the child they were stalking. 

Around the same time my son (who is now diagnosed as bipolar) was avoiding going to school with me by sleeping in parks etc because he knew I would force him to go to school and I would sit outside his classroom. One of my son’s gf’s Kiki came across a post of my son passed out in public restroom. She asked him about it and I guess out of embarrassment he lied to his friend that I was an alcoholic and that I was beating him so he was sleeping at the park.Then Kiki’s mother got involved unbenowest to me and began texting my son.  Kiki’s mom Beth essentially was coaching him on how to get into a pharmacy program…not knowing anything about my son’s academic performance or drug use he would never be approved for a program like that. I must have come across harsh to her when I asked her why she didn’t contact me instead of trying to take my place. Beth told me it’s because my son obviously isn't loved at home or he wouldn’t be sleeping in public restrooms. I told her to stay away from son. (This happened in May of 2021.)

Fast forward to June or July of 2021. My son is in between his Junior an Senior year of high school and is going to be an Adult in September of 2021. He is also not attending his Summer school makeup classes even though I am dropping him off. He eventually runs away. Then I hear a rumor that he obtained insulin from a friend. I contacted that friend and asked her why she gave him insulin. She said that my son told her he was diabetic and that I was withholding medication from him. I am desperate and I call the police to make an endangered persons report. I also post on various social media sites that my son is missing and has the insulin and I am afraid he may try to take his life with it.  Beth (Kiki’s Mom)saw the post and made a complaint to CPS. My son is missing and now is when she decides is a good time to make a complaint. Kiki confirmed it was her mom that made the report. That case was closed at August 5th 2021 as unfounded for physical neglect.

Then another one was opened by the Trans woman on August 9th because I had her boyfriend Danny trespassed from house and arrested because he returned to the house after the trespassing. This case was closed “Unfounded” for emotional neglect about two weeks later when I found out the Trans womans original identity and criminal past. 

Now it’s been over a year since all this happened. My son did graduate from high school and is getting treatment for his bipolar diagnosis. I started thinking I could go back to school. Then I learned that the nursing schools here in Utah are now pulling full background checks on students. A friend of mine said their previous closed CPS case was found during their application process and they were barred from attending nursing school all together. His allegations were also “unfounded”. Though he said charges were pressed and then dropped. 

There is an expungement process in Utah but its only for one case found “without merit” and you cant have additional cases subsequently.

Has anyone been declined for nursing school?? Prior to this change you used to be able to dispute “unfounded” charges during ATT  with the BON. It took some time but they looked at cases individually. Now if they are stopping people from entering nursing school all together what recourse is there??? 

I have requested the following:  GRAMa request for copies of the reports from CPS and I did a self inquiry to see what shows up on the  UTAH Child Abuse Central Registry. I’ll keep you updated. Hopefully I get some responses here. TIA. 

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Specializes in Trauma RN.

I think you should apply and explain that your son was a teenager and skipping school. If there were never charges filed, then I can’t see how that could be held against you. Anyone can call cps at anytime for anything, they have to investigate even if someone is lying or trying to get revenge, etc. Regardless, people get accepted into nursing schools with all different backgrounds and pasts (no felonies or violence obviously), but it seems like you might be subconsciously blaming your son or have hostility towards him, assuming this is the reason you won’t get in. You said it’s been a year since all that happened, so if you haven’t returned to your classes or made any effort towards getting into nursing school, maybe do some self reflection on where you are and how to reach your goals. Because nursing school will have a lot of challenges from studying to clinicals to making sure you get along with peers, professors, patients, and hospital staff. Just some things to think about. Whatever you decide, good luck! And I’m glad your son is doing much better! 

Alba

8 Posts

I don’t blame my son for these CPS allegations. He was young and suffering from mental health disorder that we didn't know of at the time. I’ve been wanting to go back to school but needed to arrange mental health resources for my son. We have Tricare and it’s been difficult to find a provider that took our insurance that in itself took almost a year and we were still dealing with his up and down behavior. I also wanted to make sure he got through high school. He just graduated in May of 2022. He was an older student so he was almost 19 when he graduated. Getting caught up on his credit hours was time consuming. He made it which is what counts. In the meantime I’ve been working at a hospital with varying hours. Anywhere from the ED-Behavioral and Surgical Units. Gaining lots of logistical knowledge along the way. 

Specializes in Trauma RN.

(Sorry, this ended up being way longer than I meant, but I just wanted to reassure you!)
Girl, I get it. My son is about to be 18 and we’ve definitely had our share of struggles. When his dad got this new girlfriend she tried to keep him from seeing our son or paying child support and told my ex MIL that she planned on them (somehow) getting custody. Which led to cps randomly showing up on my doorstep. They said they got a call that my new husband and I were fighting in front of my son or something random like that (it was like 16 years ago, so I can’t remember the specifics). They wrote a little report stating it was unfounded and my ex’s mom eventually told me it was the new girlfriend who called. That’s how I found out they investigate any report no matter what. We even went through the truancy thing with him except I actually got some kind of ticket and had to go see the justice of the peace about it. In middle school, his babysitter kept dropping him off at school like 5-10 minutes late and I had no idea until I got a letter in the mail. So I’ve had to awkwardly explain online when I’ve applied for jobs, but no one has ever asked about or said anything during an interview. But I really think yours will never even be an issue since you didn’t get a ticket and cps said it was unfounded. And all that happened before I went to nursing school, so I seriously think you’ll be fine. And just think, if you’re still standing after all you’ve been through (teens are no joke) then you can easily do whatever you want! 

Btweet

10 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

I had my own daughter make unfounded report against me as well. At first I was horrified. However the social worker advised me they have complaints made by children and others all the time in which they can easily discern from a serious child safety issue. 

It was hard allowing them into my home and asking all sorts of questions but in the end it was open and shut. 

Most CPS workers are aware of frivolous complaints. Have the release document ready and provide it if you have any issues. 

Please do not let this child predator off  easily. Make reports against them to police and CPS and any other formal institution available! 

A dropped charge is more serious. Where I live, background checks include police files even if no charges were made. So innocent until proven guilty does not apply in this situation. It mostly depends on how the police filled the complaint. 

Keep all documentation, get additional references and see what happens.  I think you will be fine! 

Foofy64

1 Post

Did you get into nursing school with your unfounded case. 

Specializes in School Nursing.

I realize this is an old post, but am hopeful the OP didn't have the CPS case get in her way.  I think the only time it would show up on a background is if criminal charges are filed.  Open/shut CPS cases are with CPS, not the criminal justice system. 

Edit to add: I am wrong. Apparently this IS a thing in some states, and mostly domestic violence complaints. I'm sorry for all going through it. 

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