this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2026
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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s children were taken away from him after a tip from someone who turned out to be “mentally unstable,” according to police records.

Last month, the 44-year-old’s four-year-old twins, Penelope and Gus, were separated from him and his husband after an anonymous caller told Child Protective Services that he had committed “unspeakable violent crimes” and warned that the children could still be at risk.

It has now transpired that authorities later deemed the source possibly untrustworthy, due to her potential mental instability.

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[–] MrVilliam@sh.itjust.works 86 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Has the tipster been arrested? No? Then that would be the result of a false report against Republicans too, right? No? Why do you think that is?

[–] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago

he result of a false report against Republicans too, right?

no need, there's one in the news every fucking week diddling kids or raping/abusing women.

[–] imadethis@fedinsfw.app 5 points 6 days ago

I mean, the "mental instability" portion of the report is probably the biggest clue. You have no idea how fast law enforcement pushes anything resembling mental illness either to EMS or to gunpoint. I know of a person in my community who straight up has been stopped for DUI over a dozen times, but the local jail won't let officers bring him in so he is just let go each time. I can't remember the reason, but he is the classical 'batshit insane' caricature brought to life, and the standard protocol for dealing with him is to call us to bring him to the hospital ED.

[–] Triumph@fedia.io 73 points 6 days ago (3 children)

Well it's sure good to know that anyone's children can just be taken away from them based on a crazy person making a singular telephone call.

[–] TheFogan@programming.dev 20 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Sadly many of us have known that for years. Which sucks in the fact that it's hard to fathom a good system for this problem. Every option has undesirable consequences when you can't definitavely prove who is a bad actor.

IE case: report against person X claiming abuse of child

A. Investigate: Great, but how intrusive to go.. Like in this case they took the twins away long enough that they could at least try to get the story. Probably would be better to drop in and see how the family is, but actual abusers could certainly keep the act and story straight for a few minutes/hours, and return right to it when the door is closed.

B. Take the kids out long enough to sort it out, good if there's an abuser, but again horrific if there isn't.

C. Punish the hell out of false flaggers. also good, but again comes down to the bigger problem of abusers that can cover it up. We all agree that there should be a harsh as hell penalty for people who knowingly file a false claim. But then comes "mistaken claims" and even "true claims that lack evidence". When actual abusers can hide their abuse long enough to get through an investigation, and wreck the lives of the person who reported them, it creates the chilling effect of scaring legtimate accusers into silence.

I've been on the wrong end of DSS before, I know many people who have been on the wrong end of DSS over false calls, family disputes etc... Honestly this is so far from supprising to me, except the fact that in this case the victim is a high profile politician. The poor half of America has always known of this danger.

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Insert "first time?" meme here.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today -2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

This is better than potentially letting children keep being abused despite reports.

The problem is the other half (what happens after children are taken)

[–] phx@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Really? Ripping kids away from their family and having everyone think their parent is as abuser based on an unsubstantiated "tip" from some rando is better?

Both seem pretty fucking bad to me.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 0 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Both things can be bad but one is better. I am all for improving the whole system.

[–] mx_smith@lemmy.world 49 points 6 days ago

I hope Pete sues the shit out of that CPS dept.

[–] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 48 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Mentally unstable and untrustworthy?
Lemme guess: does he sport a silly comb over and orange makeup by any chance?

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 39 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Mentally unstable and untrustworthy? That basically narrows it down to any Republican.

[–] mrmisses@lemmy.world 20 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] Sunflier@lemmy.world 14 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Look at that proud mom clapping for her anchor baby!

[–] switcheroo@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

He looks like someone you'd cover your drinks around.

Imagine knowing you are going to grow up and look like your nussy-having sperm-donor... (Ha ha)

[–] deft@lemmy.wtf 7 points 6 days ago

He is someone you'd cover your drinks around

[–] godsammitdam@lemmy.zip 24 points 6 days ago

Meanwhile, don't investigate any of those epstein fbi tipsters of course.

[–] Lasherz12@lemmy.world 26 points 6 days ago

Mentally unstable? Like the coworker(s) they all know are a problem but don't do anything about? They would have accepted a Ouija board as evidence if it sent them after someone don't like.

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 18 points 6 days ago

5 bucks says they knew it was bullshit before they sent anyone out.

10 bucks says the call actually came from a republican agent.

[–] KulunkelBoom@lemmus.org 3 points 6 days ago

Any stupid reason is a good republican reason.