FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 11, 2026 Contact: Jeremy Newman, Vice President at Family Freedom Project Email: Jeremy.Newman@FamilyFreedomProject.org Phone: 214-707-8445 Appeals Court Overturns Termination of Rose’s Parents’ Rights, Orders New Trial Family Freedom Project welcomes reversal as Joel and Donelle approach nearly 3 years of separation from their daughter. BROWN COUNTY, Texas — The Eleventh Court of Appeals on October 29 reversed the trial order terminating Joel and Donelle’s parental rights to their daughter Rose. In a major victory, the court’s opinion outlined CPS’s lack of evidence and the agency’s failure to show any danger that justified termination of Joel and [...]

Elections Matter. So Does What We Do Next. Before Election Day, we asked you to think about a family you may never meet. Last night’s election results changed the political landscape in which those families will fight. Texas voters elected new leadership in the Governor’s office, Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Attorney General’s office, the Texas House, and the Texas Supreme Court.  Many of the leaders who have supported stronger parental rights protections will be leaving office. This will present new challenges for future pro-family reforms. But our responsibility to Texas families has not changed. We Have a Foundation for the [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29nd, 2026 Contact: Jeremy Newman, Vice President at Family Freedom Project Email: Jeremy.Newman@FamilyFreedomProject.org Phone: 214-707-8445 Texas CPS is Using This Outdated Medical Theory To Remove Children [Houston, Texas] — On July 9, parents Candace and Nick will ask a Texas court to return their infant son, Luca, after he was removed from their custody following allegations based on the controversial diagnosis commonly known as "Shaken Baby Syndrome." Despite having no fractures, bruising, injuries, or external marks indicating abuse of any kind, doctors at Texas Children’s Hospital began recording accusations of abuse against the parents in medical records [...]

On September 30, 2025, Luca entered the world at 9:05 in the morning. Luca was born by planned C-section after a high-risk pregnancy and spent his first days receiving phototherapy for jaundice before going home with his family. Even so, for his parents, Candace and Nick, the months that followed looked much like those experienced by countless new parents. Candace and Nick were settling into the rhythms of late-night feedings, diaper changes, and the joy of watching their son grow. After months of anticipation, they were simply grateful to have their baby boy home. Then, in late December, Luca experienced [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2026 Contact: Jeremy Newman, Vice President at Family Freedom Project Email: Jeremy.Newman@FamilyFreedomProject.org Phone: 214-707-8445 Texas Baby Taken by CPS for Two Years After Parents Labeled “On the Autistic Spectrum” Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Brownwood, Texas — The Family Freedom Project is fighting to reunite Joel and Donelle with their daughter, Rose, after two years of baseless and discriminatory separation by Child Protective Services (CPS). Joel and Donelle’s attorneys have also filed a civil rights lawsuit against CPS and various medical doctors, alleging violations of parental rights and illegal discrimination based on a perceived disability. In December 2023, Joel [...]

Nobody wants to end up in family court. But even in family court, there are rules that protect parents and children from overreach by judges. At least, there are supposed to be.  But in September of 2025, two parents learned exactly how far outside the rules some judges are willing to go. George and Ashley (whose names are being changed to protect their privacy), appeared in court with an agreement in hand to resolve outstanding issues of child support and custody for their daughter. The trial was scheduled for that day, but the parents hoped to avoid a legal battle.  [...]