- Virginia’s parents have had enough with the government dictating how they should raise their children. On the campaign trail, I listened to parents and, as governor, I will continue to listen. School boards throughout the Commonwealth should do the same. To parents, I say: We respect you. And we will continue to work to empower you in the education and well-being of your children.
The Virginia governor, pandering to his far right pro-Trump base, has also made the news for this: Glenn Youngkin Sets Up Tip Line for Parents to Report CRT, Despite Not Being in Curriculum. See also “Virginia’s racist Gov. Youngkin sets up email hotline to expose teachers—it’s not going as planned” on Daily Kos.
One could argue that keeping children both ignorant and misinformed about history is a form of child neglect though I don’t think it rises to the level where a child protective services agency would investigate a case.
This is from the official Virginia Child Protective Agency (CPS) website:
The Virginia Department of Social Services operates a statewide Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline 24/7 to support local departments of social services by receiving reports of child abuse and neglect and referring them to the appropriate local department of social services. The CPS Hotline is staffed by trained Protective Service Hotline Specialists.
Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect to a local department of social services or to the CPS Hotline. Callers will be asked to provide as much information as possible about the child, the alleged abuser and the incident. You are not required to give your name when you make the report, but if you do identify yourself, the local department of social services will be able to contact you for further information if needed and will be able to inform you of actions that were taken.
Each report is sent to the proper local social service agency to be evaluated to determine whether the report information meets the legal definition of child abuse or neglect and whether CPS has the authority and responsibility to conduct a family assessment or an investigation to determine the child's immediate safety needs and to determine if the family needs services.
Reading the above I think we could make a strong case that even though the law says that the abuser has to be the child’s caretaker, Youngkin ought to be reported as an abuser to be investigated for endangering every child in Virginia because as governor he is a caretaker.
These seem to be the relevant sections of the actual Virginia law:
A. Any parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 who by willful act or willful omission or refusal to provide any necessary care for the child's health causes or permits serious injury to the life or health of such child is guilty of a Class 4 felony. For purposes of this subsection, “serious injury” includes but is not limited to (i) disfigurement, (ii) a fracture, (iii) a severe burn or laceration, (iv) mutilation, (v) maiming, (vi) forced ingestion of dangerous substances, and (vii) life-threatening internal injuries. For purposes of this subsection, “willful act or willful omission” includes operating or engaging in the conduct of a child welfare agency as defined in § 63.2-100 without first obtaining a license such person knows is required by Subtitle IV ( § 63.2-1700 et seq. ) of Title 63.2 or after such license has been revoked or has expired and not been renewed.
B. 1. Any parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 whose willful act or omission in the care of such child was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
It seems clear to me that when it comes to protecting the health of children when parents do things (or don’t do things) that endanger their kids health and safety this does come under the purview of what constitutes grounds for investigations by these agencies.
The agencies wouldn't exist it parents always knew, and did, what is best for their children. So why then if Gov. Youngkin truly believes that parents always know and do what is best for their children why not disband the entire Virginia CPS?