ABC 6 News - Child Protection Federal Lawsuit Interview Erick Kaardal & Dwight Mitchell
(ABC 6 NEWS) -- We are following up today on that lawsuit filed by a group of parents at the state capitol last month who say Minnesota child protection services is doing more harm than good in some cases.
Dwight Mitchell said three children were taken from him because of a single spanking incident. After months of fighting a system that he claims wrongfully overreached its authority, he won his case and had his children returned. Now being joined by many other parents who allege the state's protection laws are unconstitutionally broad and vague.
Mitchell filed a civil rights lawsuit saying the current statutes in Minnesota are triggering unnecessary investigations and putting children at risk for wrongfully being removed from their homes.
"You have to show harm to the child to permanently terminate parental rights otherwise the government shouldn't be involved," said Erick Kaardal.
On Tuesday, Mitchell's attorney, Erick Kaardal, filed the official injunction where they are seeking to have the Department of Human Services and the laws used in child protective cases changed.
Over 50 signatures were added in the last six weeks where parents reported similar claims as Mitchell.
"We were a little bit overwhelmed from all of the victims that stepped forward," said Kaardal.
Mitchell, his foundation, Family Preservation Foundation, and the organizations parental group, "Stop Child Protection Services from Legally Kidnapping Children" said they want to see changes in laws they deem unconstitutional.
