When child welfare agencies remove children from their homes, the conversation often focuses—rightly—on the trauma of separating children from their parents. We acknowledge the grief, confusion, and long-term emotional harm that can result when families are torn apart. What is far less discussed, however, is another devastating loss that too often goes unrecognized: the separation of siblings from one another.

This blog documents the case of Navaha Norris, a child placed in foster care in Grayson County, Texas, and raises serious concerns about abuse, neglect, and systemic failures within Empower (CPS) and the 15th Judicial District. Navaha entered foster care with her brother in July 2023 and experienced multiple placement changes, during which her mother observed alarming behavioral changes, unexplained injuries, and signs consistent with sexual abuse. Despite repeated reports, concerns were allegedly dismissed or inadequately investigated.