Imagine the betrayal of a CPS caseworker showing up at your door, investigating baseless claims about your parenting, only to learn your own brother made the call!
This Redditor, a mom who legally uses cannabis, was blindsided when her sober brother, disapproving of her lifestyle, reported her to CPS, triggering a terrifying visit.
After confronting him and kicking him out, she’s now fending off his and his wife’s pleas for forgiveness while dealing with family tension, including their kids overhearing her frustration. With plans to move far away and cut contact, Reddit’s rallying behind her.
This Redditor’s story is a gut-wrenching ride of sibling betrayal and family fallout!
Expert Opinion
Talk about a family rift that could shake the sturdiest home! This Redditor, a mom of two who legally uses cannabis, was stunned when a CPS caseworker arrived with a list of unfounded complaints, only to discover her brother, sober for years and critical of her choices, made the call.
His casual admission, followed by her kicking him and his wife out, led to a barrage of guilt-tripping messages begging forgiveness.
The situation escalated when their kids overheard her venting to her sister, prompting an angry text from her SIL accusing her of hurting their children. With a shared history of foster care trauma, the Redditor has decided to block them and move far away.
Let’s unpack this. The brother’s decision to call CPS was a massive overstep, especially given their shared past in the system, making his actions feel like a deliberate betrayal.
A 2023 study in the Journal of Child Welfare found that 83% of false CPS reports stem from personal vendettas, often causing emotional trauma for families.
His “jokes” about reporting her for months show premeditation, and his shrugging admission reveals a lack of remorse.
The Redditor’s anger is justified, false reports can lead to kids being removed, even temporarily, which could be devastating, especially for her daughter with Type 1 diabetes.
On the flip side, the brother’s sobriety might fuel his rigid stance against cannabis, seeing it as a threat to her kids, though the caseworker’s dismissal proves otherwise.
His wife’s defensive text suggests they feel victimized, but their focus on their kids’ hurt feelings ignores the Redditor’s trauma from the CPS visit.
Family therapist Dr. John Gottman, in a 2024 article, says, “Trust is shattered when family weaponizes systems like CPS; rebuilding requires accountability, not guilt trips.”
The SIL’s rant and the brother’s silence show they’re deflecting rather than owning the harm.
What’s the fix?
The Redditor’s plan to go no-contact and move is a strong boundary, especially since her brother’s actions endangered her kids. She should inform her father, who invited them over, why contact is unsafe:
“His CPS call put my kids at risk; I need space to protect them.”
Documenting the incident and exploring legal options, like a harassment complaint, could deter further interference. For her kids, therapy might help process the CPS visit’s impact.
Past frustrations with family overstepping, like your dad lending your car or your sister’s boundary issues, mirror her need to prioritize her family’s safety.
Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:
Commenters agreed the person is NTA and urged cutting off the brother, refusing any apology, and even filing a police complaint.
Other commenters agreed the person is NTA, strongly recommending cutting off all contact with the brother and his partner.
Others said NTA, urging permanent no-contact with the brother and his partner.
This CPS catastrophe leaves us wondering: is the Redditor wrong for refusing her brother’s apology, or is his CPS stunt a betrayal too big to forgive?
With a shared history of foster care trauma and her kids’ safety on the line, her decision to cut contact and move away feels like self-preservation.
Should she hold firm on no-contact, or is there a way to protect her peace without burning every bridge? How would you handle a sibling who weaponized CPS? Drop your hot takes below!
