FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2026
Contact: Jeremy Newman, Vice President at Family Freedom Project
Email: Jeremy.Newman@
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 and Donelle took their infant Rose to Hendrick’s Medical Center in Brownwood, Texas, over concerns that she was having trouble eating and gaining weight. Hospital staff almost immediately called CPS and repeatedly described the parents in derogatory terms as being “apparently both on [the] autistic spectrum,” “slow,” or “developmentally delayed.” No autism assessments were conducted by hospital staff or CPS. No accommodations were offered or provided.
CPS removed Rose from her parents in January of 2024, claiming that removal was necessary due to concerns about Rose’s slow weight gain. No allegations of abuse were made. The agency claimed that a quick return of Rose would be expected after Joel and Donelle completed the various classes requested by the agency. The agency then proceeded to hold Rose for two years.
Despite weight rankings ostensibly being the source of the agency’s original concern, Rose’s weight percentile rankings fell even further during two years in CPS care. Nevertheless, CPS repeatedly described Rose to the court as “doing well” and “thriving” during this time. During the two years Rose was in state care, CPS did not inform the court that Rose’s weight rankings were actually getting worse.
FFP became involved in the case in January of 2026. At a hearing on February 6, 2026, CPS failed to articulate a single danger that would prevent Rose’s return home. Yet, the agency kept Rose anyway and asked to proceed to trial. At trial, scheduled for the week of March 23, CPS is asking the court to terminate Joel and Donelle’s rights and allow Rose to be adopted out.
In a civil rights lawsuit filed against CPS and certain medical providers, Joel and Donelle’s civil rights attorney alleges that Rose’s removal was never truly about weight, but rather was motivated by an assumption that Joel and Donelle were “on [the] autistic spectrum” and not qualified to raise Rose.
“Parents do not lose their constitutional rights because someone casually labels them,” said Jeremy Newman, Vice President of Family Freedom Project. “Joel and Donelle sought medical care for their newborn. Instead of help, they were met with discriminatory assumptions. When the state cannot identify a single danger but still refuses to return a child home, something is deeply wrong.”
Family Freedom Project has leveraged its network of defense attorneys and civil litigators, compiling a team to defend the family, reunite them with their daughter, and file a federal civil rights lawsuit against CPS and medical providers.
For Joel and Donelle, what began as seeking medical help for their newborn has become a two-year nightmare of baseless and discriminatory separation.
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