The Steve Wilkos Show Season 14 Episode 1 The System failed me, Now my baby is dead

The Steve Wilkos Show is back with its 14th season, and it kicks off with a heart-wrenching episode titled "The System Failed Me, Now My Baby Is Dead." The episode centers around a young woman, named Lisa, who lost her infant child due to alleged negligence on part of the Child Protective Services (CPS) in her town.

Lisa starts off by explaining her life's difficult circumstances. She was only 16 when she got pregnant and her boyfriend, who was in his mid-twenties, was abusive and controlling. Her own mother was an alcoholic, and she had no other family support. Desperate for help, she contacted CPS and put her trust in them to protect her and her child. However, things didn't go as planned.

Lisa claims that CPS had been called to her home multiple times, but they never took any substantial action. She says that they did not investigate her boyfriend's abusive behavior and failed to report his criminal past, which involved drug trafficking and possession. In fact, Lisa alleges that they allowed her boyfriend to attend parenting classes and supervised visits with her child, which only put the child at more risk.

One day, Lisa went to pick up her baby from her boyfriend's house but found her unresponsive. She immediately called an ambulance, but it was too late. Her baby girl was declared dead at the hospital, and the cause of death was reported as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, Lisa claims that there were clear signs of abuse on her child's body, and she suspects that her boyfriend may have played a role in her death.

Lisa reached out to CPS again, this time for help to get justice for her baby. But to her shock, they closed her case and did not provide her with any support. The authorities ruled her baby's death as "natural," and no criminal charges were filed against her boyfriend.

The Steve Wilkos Show invited Lisa to share her story in public and to raise awareness about the flaws in the system. She breaks down in tears as she recounts the traumatic experience, and Steve Wilkos listens attentively before revealing that they've invited an expert to speak on the issue.

The expert - a retired CPS worker with decades of experience - admits that the system is flawed and under-resourced. He talks about the challenges that CPS workers face, including understaffing, high caseloads, and limited training. He says that while there are some "bad apples" in the system, most CPS workers are trying their best to help children in need. However, he also acknowledges that CPS is far from perfect and agrees that Lisa's case should have been handled differently.

As the show progresses, Steve Wilkos offers Lisa a ray of hope. He invites her and her advocate to meet with a lawyer who specializes in child abuse cases, to explore possible legal actions against the authorities and her boyfriend. Lisa is visibly moved and expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to get justice for her baby.

In all, "The System Failed Me, Now My Baby Is Dead" is an emotionally charged episode that highlights the consequences of negligence in the child welfare system. The show does an excellent job of giving a voice to Lisa and other parents who have faced similar struggles. It also sheds light on the importance of holding the system accountable and advocating for the rights of vulnerable children.