Please tell me this isn't a true story!

This particular story was adapted from a novel, and while I don't believe it's based on specific events, things like this DO happen in real life. It's very unfortunate, but they do happen.

It's very common, especially in the US. Reunification is the goal for CPS, above all else. This means sometimes awful, abusive parents given second, third, and more chances than they should be allowed to... Thus, a lot of children fall through the cracks in the system, and go through hell often in homes they should have never been returned to.

Mine too. It was infuriating!