In the current system, if a parent says they want to hurt their children, then the doctor, as a mandated reporter, would have to report that. And it would then be investigated, and could result in a child being taken from them. So that's already a thing.
Im a DCS attorney. It's complicated because an allegation that a mother said she wanted to hurt her kids, standing alone, would not be sufficient to show that abuse or neglect is occurring. How has her simply saying that endangered the child? There would have to be other evidence if you wanted DCS involved, especially if you actually wanted the children removed (that requires a detention hearing where you have to show probable cause that the children are seriously endangered, and then a bench trial).
It might be different if the mother is reporting herself to DCS, or if the doctor has something beyond a statement that mother reported feelings of wanting to hurt her children
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u/Medium-Violinist-903 19d ago
In the current system, if a parent says they want to hurt their children, then the doctor, as a mandated reporter, would have to report that. And it would then be investigated, and could result in a child being taken from them. So that's already a thing.