The second case of neglect that was being pursued by Child Protective Services against the Silver Spring “free range” parents has been dropped, according to the lawyers representing the Meitiv family.
The dropped case may put an end to the saga involving Danielle and Alexander Meitiv and their 10- and 6-year-old kids that gained national attention. The parents had allowed their young children to walk alone to parks in Silver Spring—a decision that drew them into a lengthy and highly publicized dispute with Child Protective Services (CPS).
The move to drop the second case comes after CPS updated its policy earlier this month to stay out of situations involving children walking alone outdoors, unless children have been harmed or face a risk of being harmed.
The Washington Post first reported on the new policy and the second case of neglect being dropped.
“Our family is happy that the investigations are closed, but more needs to be done,” Danielle Meitiv said in a press statement. “The guidelines contain too much ambiguity and fail to acknowledge the parents’ right to allow their children age-appropriate independence. The guidelines also overlook that the parents should be the first adults contacted if there is any question about children who are playing among themselves in their neighborhood.”
She added that she plans to continue working to make sure parents’ rights are respected while raising their children.
The Meitivs grew particularly concerned in the second case involving their children and authorities when they were left worrying about the whereabouts of their kids after police picked them up April 12 near a Silver Spring parking garage. Danielle Meitiv said the couple searched for their kids for about five hours before being told by authorities the children were in CPS custody.
Matthew Dowd, of the law firm Andrews Kurth, represented the Meitivs in the case against CPS.
“We are not surprised that CPS has dropped its frivolous allegations,” Dowd said in a press statement. “But its decision does not remedy the harm caused to the children when they were illegally detained by police and then CPS for over five hours. There were clear constitutional violations that need to be investigated and remedied.”
Dowd said CPS did not inform the law firm if it applied its new policy when dropping the case against the family.
