At the Intersection of Addiction and Child Safety

In 2020, I became a certified Child Protective Investigator in the Substance-Exposed Unit. One morning on my way to work, my supervisor called and posed a straightforward question: "Are you ready?" Before I could reply, he informed me that a case had just come in. One parent had succumbed to an apparent drug overdose, the other parent was unaccounted for, and a baby remained at the scene. Law enforcement was waiting for me. I stopped by the office to collect the essentials: a car seat, drug screens, a case file, and a safety plan, then drove directly to the home, my small white Toyota Yaris burdened by the weight of what lay ahead.

Upon my arrival, the scene was overwhelming. Law enforcement officers, crime scene investigators, the medical examiner, and curious neighbors filled the area. After introducing myself, I was handed the baby. She had beautiful, bright blue eyes and a radiant smile that stood in heartbreaking contrast to the tragedy unfolding around her. As I held her, I was struck by the profound injustice of a life interrupted before it truly began. I returned her to the father's roommate and then entered the home, where I found the child's father lying lifeless on the bed. Once the scene was cleared, I noticed fentanyl among his belongings. The bedroom narrated a painful story: the father had everything a child could need. It was evident that he loved his daughter deeply, but addiction had consumed him. He believed he was using heroin, unaware that he was actually taking fentanyl.

The child's mother arrived later that day, grappling with her own challenges. For the child's safety, I could not permit reunification at that moment. The baby was placed in a safe environment with a trusted loved one. What unfolded next was a powerful demonstration of resilience and hope. The mother, having herself been a product of the system and carrying a history of neglect and limited support, was dedicated to making a change. She engaged in counseling, secured full-time employment, obtained stable housing and transportation, and diligently worked on her case plan. Despite her profound insecurities about motherhood, rooted in her own childhood trauma, she persisted. Eventually, she was reunited with her child.

This case remains with me because it highlights the reality faced by so many families today. Children often find themselves caught in the turmoil of addiction, untreated mental health issues, and intergenerational trauma. The support or neglect that parents receive significantly influences not only their children's futures but also the well-being of future generations. When we invest in healing, accountability, and compassion, we create opportunities to break cycles of harm and allow hope to flourish where it once seemed impossible.