Father alleges improper CPS removal at Richland County board meeting; says he plans federal civil‑rights suit

During the board’s public‑comment period, Kevin Hoffman told supervisors he has been the primary caregiver for his son and described an October interaction with Child Protective Services that, he said, resulted in the boy’s removal and placement with the mother. Hoffman said CPS told him at the time staff believed he was doing a good job but later arranged for the mother—who Hoffman said lives out of state and has prior drug‑related convictions—to take the child.

Hoffman said he believes CPS misrepresented the circumstances and improperly removed his son, calling the episode "the definite of kidnapping" in his remarks to the board, and said the county’s subsequent actions left him forced to pursue court processes to regain custody. He said the case was dismissed on Dec. 4 and that he intends to file a federal civil‑rights lawsuit. Hoffman asked for support and said he simply wanted to have his son home for the holidays.

The board did not take action or provide an immediate response during the meeting; no county official offered an on‑the‑record statement in the transcript. The board’s minutes and county staff would be the appropriate public records to consult for any further official response or follow‑up. Hoffman’s remarks were made in public comment and were not presented as evidence in any county proceeding at the meeting.

The county has not provided an official response in the meeting transcript; any factual claims about CPS procedures or legal findings would need to be confirmed through county and state child‑welfare records and court filings.