“CPS Has Custody Of All Her Children”: Mom’s Plan To Rehome 2 Adopted Daughters Goes Wrong

Divorces can get messy, but this Redditor didn’t expect things to go this far.

His soon-to-be ex, a mom of six, told him she was leaving her two adopted daughters with him—kids he hadn’t raised and wasn’t prepared to take in. She even threatened to “rehome” them elsewhere if he refused.

Unsure of what else to do, he called CPS. In the end, they stepped in and took custody of all six of her children. Now, he’s left wondering: did he overreact?

Read the full story below.

The man’s soon-to-be ex-wife told him she was leaving her two adopted daughters with him

Sad young girl sitting alone, reflecting emotional stress during a difficult family and custody situation.

Image credits: 1footage / envato (not the actual photo)

Not prepared to take them in, he called CPS

Custody conflict with mom of 6 involving two adopted kids leads to ex calling CPS during divorce proceedings.

Text about mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce custody dispute and CPS involvement.

Mom of 6 tries to leave adopted kids during divorce, ex calls CPS amid custody and adoption disputes.

Custody dispute involving mom of 6, two adopted kids, and CPS intervention during divorce conflict.

Text about calling CPS on mom during divorce investigation, custody of children, and neglect inquiry underway.

Stressed man sitting indoors, holding his forehead, representing a dad dealing with custody issues during divorce.

Image credits: Media_photos / envato (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing a mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce and CPS involvement.

Image credits: Sad_Cantaloupe_7175

What are the mental health effects of being adopted?

Image credits: jm_video / envato (not the actual photo)

Adoption is often seen as a fairytale, giving children a chance to grow up in a loving family with a bright future.

But reality isn’t always so perfect.

Adoptees are statistically more at risk for mental health challenges, often due to a mix of early trauma and genetics. Biological parents may have faced their own struggles, which can be passed down genetically, while the experience of separation itself can leave deep marks.

A meta-analysis on adoptees’ mental health found they have higher rates of depression and anxiety than non-adoptees, with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder being the most commonly associated conditions.

While some of this risk comes from trauma linked to experiences with biological parents or time in the foster system, even those adopted as infants can still feel the impact.

“I didn’t suffer any major traumas within my adoptive family, or in general growing up,” said Theodora Blanchfield, an associate marriage and family therapist, in an article for Verywell Mind.

“And yet, I have dealt with severe depression, and my psychiatrist monitors me for signs of bipolar because of genetic susceptibility combined with that attachment trauma.”

One significant factor is how separation from biological parents can disrupt attachment and create feelings of not truly belonging.

“It’s not natural for a baby anything to be separated immediately from its mother,” said Lesli Johnson, LMFT, a therapist who works with adoptees.

Attachment is the emotional bond formed with caregivers, shaping how we connect with others. Research shows adoptees often face higher levels of attachment insecurity, particularly those adopted after their first year of life.

Yet, while grief is acknowledged in situations like death or divorce, adoption-related grief often goes unrecognized. This is known as disenfranchised grief, a type of grief that society struggles to acknowledge.

Johnson notes this is common among adoptees due to societal messages like “you should be grateful” or “you were adopted into a good family.”

As a result, many adoptees may struggle with relationships in adulthood. “They wonder, ‘Who can I trust?’” Johnson explained, adding that because early experiences of “love” included loss, adoptees can fear abandonment.

Finding one’s identity is a challenge many people face, but for adoptees, it can feel even more complex. Not knowing the people who share your genetics can make understanding who you are even harder.

However, Blanchfield encourages a more nuanced view of adoption, beyond seeing it as entirely good or bad.

“Anti-adoption advocates paint adoption as akin to human trafficking; adoptive parents and adoptee advocates paint adoption like it’s a fairy tale with a happy-ever-after ending,” she said. “But what if it’s somewhere in between?”

She urges adoptees to recognize that their feelings are valid. Even if they love their adoptive family and appreciate the life they have, they shouldn’t feel guilty for experiencing mental health challenges or hesitate to seek help.

As readers reacted, the author shared more details about the situation in the comments

Comments discussing a mom of six trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce, sparking CPS involvement.

Online discussion about mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce, ex calls CPS on her.

Online forum discussion about a mom of 6 trying to leave two adopted kids with her ex during divorce dispute.

Commenter asks what was reported to CPS and a detailed reply explains parents abandoning daughters in cramped living conditions.

Reddit discussion about a mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce, prompting CPS involvement.

Reddit user discusses mom of 6 trying to dump adopted kids on ex during divorce, leading to CPS involvement.

Reddit thread discussing a mom of 6 trying to dump adopted kids during divorce, ex calls CPS on her.

Discussion on adoption challenges as mom of 6 tries to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce.

Reddit comments discussing a mom trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce, leading to CPS involvement.

Reddit comment discussing adoption, custody, and legal responsibilities during a divorce involving adopted kids and CPS.

Reddit comment discussing adoption, custody battles, and challenges faced by a mom of six during divorce proceedings.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a mom trying to offload adopted kids during divorce and CPS involvement.

Online discussion about mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce leading to CPS involvement.

Comments from Reddit users discussing a mom of 6 who tries to dump adopted kids on ex, leading to a CPS call.

Comments discussing a mom of 6 trying to give two adopted kids to her ex during divorce, leading to CPS involvement.

Reddit conversation about a mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on ex, leading to CPS involvement during divorce.

Reddit comments discussing a mom of six trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce and CPS involvement.

Reddit discussion about mom of six trying to dump adopted kids on ex during divorce and CPS involvement concerns.

Text conversation discussing a mom of six trying to dump adopted kids on ex, leading to CPS intervention during divorce.

Reddit conversation about a mom of six trying to dump adopted kids on her ex during a divorce dispute.

Online discussion about mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce and CPS involvement

Some believed he wasn’t responsible for these children

Comment expressing concern about adopted kids being rejected by mom during divorce and involvement of CPS.

Reddit comment about a mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce, leading to CPS involvement.

Comment discussing parental responsibility and care for adopted kids during a divorce involving CPS intervention.

Comment discussing financial struggles and care concerns when a mom of 6 tries to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce.

Reddit comment discussing mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on ex during divorce, leading to CPS involvement.

User comment criticizing a mom of six trying to abandon two adopted kids during divorce, suggesting legal action for custody.

Comment discussing legal challenges of adopted children custody and involvement of CPS during a divorce dispute.

Others, however, felt that everyone involved was in the wrong, considering how the kids’ lives were being affected

Comment text on a social media post discussing a mom of 6 trying to dump two adopted kids on her ex during divorce.

Comment discussing adoption and parenting responsibilities during a mom of 6 divorce involving adopted kids and CPS involvement.

Comment discussing a troubled divorce involving a mom of six and adoption issues, describing the situation as ugly and gross.

Comment discussing CPS involvement after mom of 6 tries to dump adopted kids on ex during divorce for child protection.

Comment discussing divorce and treatment of adopted kids amid custody issues in a family conflict involving CPS.

Comment discussing abuse and neglect in a family involving adopted kids during a divorce and custody conflict.

Comment discussing challenges faced by adopted kids in divorce situations, highlighting risks and emotional impact.

Comment discussing a step-parent calling CPS on a mom of 6 during divorce involving adopted kids.

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