How to Lose Custody Over a Filthy Home

The most prevalent form of child maltreatment in the United States is that of child neglect, according to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. Child neglect is the failure to provide basic needs for a child's health and safety, often described as inadequate care. The home environment is one such factor that impacts child neglect. Homes that are unsanitary, unsafe and filthy can be cause for you to lose custody of your children, because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services makes it illegal for guardians to neglect their youth.

Instructions

    • 1

      Expect a surprise visit from Child Protective Services if your home is severely filthy. Children who come from filthy homes often display signs of physical neglect, such as dirty or torn clothes, wearing the same clothes over and over again and displaying evidence of poor hygiene. A child's teacher may be the person who notices these signs, or it could be a neighbor. Either way, if someone calls CPS to file a suspect of neglect report, a case worker will appear at your house to visually inspect the environment for signs of neglect and filth.

    • 2

      Let the case worker into your home. It is the case worker's job to assess the youth's safety based on the filthy home environment. The case worker will look for hazardous materials, signs of pests or infestations, unsecured chemicals, illicit substances, mold, dirt and fecal matter. The case worker may take pictures of the home environment and write down notes.

    • 3

      Wait for the case worker's final decision of the assessment. The case worker will have to decide whether to remove the youth from the home if it is an extremely dangerous environment or give you a warning to clean up the home.

    • 4

      Fail to correct your filthy home even after the case worker gives you a warning. By not following the case worker's advice, you are setting yourself up to lose custody, because the case worker will be back for another review of your home.

    • 5

      Have repeated reports filed on you for keeping a filthy home. The more people who call CPS and complain or express concern about your filthy home, the higher your chances are for losing custody. Repeated instances signify to case workers that you are incapable of providing the basic needs for the youth, and that by allowing the child to remain in your custody is no longer in the best interest of the child.

    • 6

      Attend your court date. You will be charged with child neglect on the account of failure to provide a safe and healthy environment for your child, or child endangerment. The judge who oversees the case will determine whether you shall lose custody at the time of the hearing based on the severity of the case, or if you will be given the opportunity to get help and clean up your life so that your child may return home to you in the future.

    • 7

      Disregard the judge's warning to get help and have your children return home to you. If you don't follow the law, you will surely lose your custody because it lets the judge know that you are not taking this issue seriously enough, which is evidence of a poor caretaker.

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