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Kentwood resident urges investigation, alleges CPS and police violated rights
Summary
Brandy Ritsma told the city commission she believes child-protection services and Kentwood police violated her constitutional rights, cited a judge's finding, and asked the city to investigate and hold officials accountable. Mayor and staff asked Ritsma to provide contact information so the city can follow up.
Brandy Ritsma told the Kentwood City Commission on Oct. 21 that child-protection services and Kentwood police violated her constitutional rights in actions that led to the removal of her children and the diversion of her Social Security benefits. Ritsma said a judge has already "confirmed on that on the record" that her rights were violated and she urged the city to investigate and hold responsible parties accountable.
Ritsma said her case has been delayed repeatedly, alleged that police officers without firsthand knowledge testified in court to bolster "false reports," and said county police ignored her report that federal Social Security benefits were diverted to her ex-husband. She cited federal law and a Michigan statute criminalizing false child-protection reports while saying those standards were not enforced in her case.
The mayor asked Ritsma to provide a phone number or case number so the clerk could follow up; Ritsma said she would do so. No formal action, referral, or police investigation by the commission was recorded in the meeting minutes or the meeting transcript.
