Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Can someone falsely accuse you of child abuse and get away with it? Mike Smith talks about false accusations and anonymous tips on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike:


This week HSLDA litigation attorney Jim Mason joins us to talk about the Stumbo case. Jim, the Stumbos were subject to a child abuse investigation after they were falsely accused of child abuse. To top it off their accuser was allowed to stay anonymous. What are some of the problems that arise when social workers are allowed to investigate based on nothing more than an anonymous tip?


Jim:


Mike, one of the bedrock principles of American law is that it's not the seriousness of the allegations but a credibility of the evidence that should dictate how a government worker or a government agent investigates a crime.


What happens when anonymous tips are allowed to be used to justify entry into a home or private interviews with children is that enemies can phone in a tip. People who are disgruntled with the family can phone in a tip. People who don't like the fact that a particular family is homeschooling can call in a tip and turn that family's life upside down.


Mike:


Jim, as you know allowing people to accuse families of child abuse or neglect anonymously is simply wrong. And HSLDA is devoting a tremendous amount of effort to changing the law in this area. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.