Last week, Bethany Christian Services quietly called a family meeting.
No press releases. No formal letters. Just an informal gathering behind closed doors.
And in that meeting, according to a source close to the situation, the employees who had previously sided with the mother in question changed their tune fast. They apologized to the family, claiming they now see the “true colors” the mother at the center of this controversy.
If you read my earlier piece, you know this isn’t just about one bad actor. This is about a culture of deflection and retaliation that Bethany’s leadership has yet to fully answer for.
For months, this family has endured accusations, undermining, and outright hostility, one such event was fueled by Bethany workers’ willingness to weaponize my reporting instead of addressing the actual misconduct.
And now? Now they admit they were wrong. That they misjudged the situation. That they can finally see the behavior this family has been warning them about.
To which I say: good. But let’s not pretend this sudden clarity happened in a vacuum.
…It’s a Start
It’s hard not to notice that this apology came after my second blog post went public and after Bethany employees were confronted with the undeniable optics of their own conduct.
An apology is a start. But it doesn’t erase the harm done. It doesn’t rebuild trust. And it certainly doesn’t answer the bigger question: if you knew retaliation was happening, why did it take a public article for you to act?
Bethany Christian Services owes this family more than an apology. They owe accountability, a significant element missing from Michigan’s Child Protective Services agencies.
Consider These Stories:
And while the above case may be nearing resolution, there are other trouble stories without a happy ending.
- Audit finds Michigan’s Child Protective Services still needs work; agency says review is flawed (Michigan Advance)
- Father sues Michigan CPS workers after 3-year-old found dead in freezer (MLive)
- Michigan office failed to screen dozens of child deaths for safety review, audit finds (Detroit News)
Additional Abuse Excused by CPS
Another case that has spanned both Allegan and Ottawa County is nowhere near resolution, as an event has recently spawned a brand new CPS investigation, a complete surprise to the impacted father.
The problem? As a mandated reporter, I submitted concerns nearly two months ago via Michigan DHS portal and it was not taken seriously.
Prior to that in April 2025, a source close to me contacted Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Zaragosa with similar concerns for the same family; Deputy Zaragosa ignored the claims of abuse and never filed a report.
A Broken System
Far too many children are getting hurt; this system needs massive overhaul.
Bethany Christian Services, CPS, and the law enforcement agencies that fail to act on credible abuse allegations cannot be allowed to operate without scrutiny. Public pressure works—but only if it’s consistent and loud enough to make silence more costly than action.
If you’ve experienced retaliation, dismissal, or negligence from CPS or a related agency in Michigan, speak up. Share your story with us at Clutch Justice, contact your state legislators, and demand oversight hearings.
Children’s safety shouldn’t hinge on who’s willing to publish an article; it should be the starting point for every decision these agencies make. Let’s make sure they don’t forget it.
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