PENNSYLVANIA PARENTS,
Your child can be taken without cause—
There is no way to prevent it. No way to appeal it. And it can be repeated any time to anyone.
IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU
Our Story
They stole our newborn with a phone call.
No warrant. No abuse. No evidence.
Just the CPS Director whispering into a judge’s ear—deciding our future without even hearing from us.
What “crimes” were we guilty of?
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Choosing our own prenatal care
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Being self-employed without health insurance
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Bringing home a healthy newborn after two days (not against medical advice)
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Seeking medical help when our baby got sick (yes, you read that right)
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Protecting our child from unnecessary genetic and HIV testing
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Guarding our family's private medical information
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Possibly declining vaccines or refusing to sign hospital forms (we still don't know—because CPS illegally redacted the reports)
What was whispered into the judge's ear?
Judge Legg: “Okay. And let me explain to the two of you in terms of the oral Order. As Ms. Graziano noted, when she and I spoke it was my understanding that the child was - - basically had organs shutting down, was near death, and it was - - basically that you were all denying medical care that would have been - - kept [VC] alive. That’s what I was led to believe.
What actually happened?
Justin Carlson: Q: Was there a statement made or an indication made that the parents were going to seek to stop the continued interventions?
Dr. Medoro: A: Not to me.
Justin Carlson: Q: So I believe you answered this, but did we ever tell you to take [VC] off any medications?
Dr. Medoro: A: No, sir, you did not.
Justin Carlson: Q: So other than our refusal for an HIV test and genetic testing, did we prevent you from proceeding with any of your standard protocols in your treatment process?
Dr. Medoro: A: No, you did not.
Justin Carlson: Q: Did we, when you came to us, accept what you offered and give approval to every request other than those two denials to search for HIV and a genetic test?
Dr. Medoro: A: Correct. That was our experience together.
Justin Carlson: Q: Does [VC] currently have any organs that are shutting down?
…
A: So I would say she is on life supporting measures, but I don’t know that I could describe any of her organs as shutting down.
THE COURT: So, Doctor, this is the Judge. One of the reasons for protective custody was the suggestion that the parents were interfering to some degree, or blocking, medical care that was necessary for [VC]. Can you provide any information as to that allegation?
DR. MEDORO: Aside from the refusal of those two tests at our experience at CHOP, those were the only two things that this family refused. Comments were made, but they were not made to me about discomfort with treatment and wanting to stop [INAUDIBLE], but at no point did this family, for me, impair the medical care of this child.”
THE COURT: … Doctor, this is Judge Legg again. Just, I’m trying to understand something here. Have - - in your experience in working with this family, have either the mother or father, or both of them, interfered in any way with the care of this particular child when you were dealing with them?
DR. MEDORO: No, sir.
THE COURT: And have they engaged in any conduct, in your opinion, that would have put this child at risk of death?
DR. MEDORO: Not within our interaction together.
THE COURT: All right. So you didn’t experience any of those things?
DR. MEDORO: No, sir.
Lindsey Kunkle: “In this courtroom today is the first time I’m hearing anything about organs shutting down.”
We fought for her with everything we had—and we won.
But when we asked the courts how this nightmare was even allowed to happen, they told us it didn’t matter—because we "got her back."
No accountability. No correction. No protection for the next family.
What happened to us can happen to any parent, any time—and the courts have shut the door on challenging it.
We built this site to expose the truth.
To show how a system meant to protect children is now weaponized against families.
And to make sure no parent has to stand alone in the fight for their child.
THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
What happened next is even more unbelievable—and every word is true.
We’re still writing it all down, piece by piece.
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KEEP READING ↓
PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Why This Matters
Our case isn’t just about one mistake—it exposed two broken legal processes that are now repeatable, unreviewable, and dangerous for every parent in Pennsylvania.
These rulings mean the system can repeat itself indefinitely, against any family, and the courts say no one has the right to stop it—even if it was wrong.
OUR CASE HAS UNCOVERED TWO PROCESSES THAT ARE BEING ENTIRELY ABUSED AND CANNOT BE PREVENTED OR CHALLENGED.
Oral Shelter Care Applications
CYS fabricated a story to a judge over a phone call—no sworn testimony, no affidavits, no evidence—to take our newborn daughter. The Superior court later ruled that this type of emergency order is not appealable.
Without review, what is stopping the next CYS agent and judge from doing it to you?
It does not appear that the August 13th Order Emergency Protective Custody Order would be appealable
~ Pa Superior Court
Sham Dependency Petitions
CYS filed a petition with no legal facts—just a document titled “Dependency Petition.” The court forced us to defend ourselves in a full hearing. When we prevailed, the Superior Court said the issue was moot and unworthy of review.
Without any evidence, CYS can claim your child "is without care", then you must fight for your parental rights.
Orders on appeal are moot in light of the fact that the trial court entered a ... Order that dismissed the ... Dependency Petition
~ Pa Superior Court
TO LEGAL EXPERTS
Yes—we won. But that’s exactly why this case matters.
We raised two recognized exceptions to mootness: (1) Issues of great public importance (2) Capable of repetition yet evading review.
The Superior Court dismissed them as “bald,” implying that the unlawful seizure of children isn’t of public interest—and that a repeatable process with no appellate path somehow can’t repeat.
We’re asking the Supreme Court to say otherwise. Because when justice is declared moot, the law loses all meaning.
That’s why we are going public—so you can see what happened, what’s at stake, and why this case matters for every parent.
↓ [Read the Case]
WE WON HER BACK — BUT YOU MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY
The Case
CPS seized our newborn without a valid abuse report, without evidence, and without lawful court authority. When we proved the truth, the courts said it didn’t matter—because once you win your child back, the illegal process can never be challenged.
Now, we’re asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to step in and decide:
Issues Raised
THEY TOOK HER WITH NO EVIDENCE
Can the State Seize a Child Without Probable Cause?
CONVERTING PARENTAL DECISIONS INTO CRIMES
When Does CYS’s Authority to Investigate Begin?
WEAPONIZED COURT PROCEEDINGS
What Establishes Dependency Court Jurisdiction?
HELP PUT AN END TO THIS
Take Action
This didn’t end with us. Without a ruling from the Supreme Court, no family is safe. Here’s how you can help protect the next family.
HELP PROTECT FAMILIES IN PA
Contact Your State Representative in 3 Easy Steps
Use this simple guide to contact your Pennsylvania state representative and demand oversight of child welfare laws. It only takes 10 minutes to take action and protect families like yours.
SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Raise Your Voice—Tell the Courts This Matters
Have you experienced something similar? Or do you believe our case deserves national attention? Download our Support Letter Template or email your statement directly to mystory@takenwithoutcause.com. Every message counts.
SHARE THE CAMPAIGN
Help Us Break the Silence. One Share Can Change Everything
Use the hashtag #TakenWithoutCause and link to takenwithoutcause.com.
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EVERY FAMILY DESERVES TO KNOW
Recent Posts
We’re documenting everything—from legal breakdowns to behind-the-scenes details. These are our latest updates, legal analyses, and calls for reform.
Because what happened to us can happen again—and families deserve to know.
Legal Question: What Establishes Dependency Court Jurisdiction?
Legal Question: When Does CYS’s Authority to Investigate Begin?