Client Stories
Chanetto Rivers Stood Up to ACS—
and Forced Them to Answer
for their Racial Discrimination
She Was a New Mother. ACS Took Her Baby Anyway.
Chanetto Rivers had just given birth when everything started to unravel.
At the hospital, she was honest with her doctors: she had occasionally used marijuana to manage stress and nausea during pregnancy. It was legal in New York. She wasn’t accused of being under the influence or causing harm. But within hours, a caseworker from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) showed up at her bedside.
Days later, ACS took her baby away.
Photo Credit: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Targeted for Separation
ACS claimed they were protecting her child—but they never proved any danger. Instead, Ms. Rivers was caught in a system that systematically targets Black and Latino families for punishment and separation, especially when it comes to poverty or cannabis use. Even after legalization, ACS has continued to investigate parents for cannabis use—especially mothers like Ms. Rivers who are honest with doctors about using it.
For weeks, she was forced to visit her newborn in a foster home. She missed out on those irreplaceable first days of bonding. All because she was Black, and treated with suspicion rather than support.
“I just kept thinking: how is this happening when I did nothing wrong?” Ms. Rivers said. “And how many other mothers are going through the same thing?”
Are you being investigated by ACS? Start here.
We Took ACS to Court—with Powerful Partners
Ms. Rivers came to The Bronx Defenders, and together with pro bono partners at Arnold & Porter, we fought to reunite her with her baby—and to hold ACS accountable. With our team, she filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the agency, not just for what they did to her, but for how they treat families like hers across the city.
Our investigation uncovered what we long suspected: ACS was routinely using drug tests and cannabis allegations to justify family separation, even when there was no evidence of harm or neglect to a child. Even after legalization, ACS was still targeting Black and Brown mothers at much higher rates.
Ms. Rivers’ bravery helped bring national attention to this injustice. She shared her story with The New York Times. She demanded answers. She refused to be silent.
An Historic Settlement—and a Message That Families Deserve Better
In 2023, ACS agreed to pay Ms. Rivers a financial settlement—the first of its kind. It was a clear signal that the agency could no longer act with impunity. The settlement was a major victory, but for Ms. Rivers, it was never just about money. It was about justice.
“I wanted people to know what happened to me wasn’t right. And I wanted to stop it from happening to the next mom.”
Her case forced ACS—and the city—to confront a hard truth: you can’t claim to support families while tearing them apart without cause.
Explore how our Family Defense Practice protects parents’ rights
One Mother’s Courage Sparked Citywide Reform
Ms. Rivers’ case helped spotlight how ACS’s policies contradict New York’s cannabis laws—and how racial bias continues to shape child welfare decisions. The case also put a face to an audit we uncovered as part of a broader investigation, including a front-page New York Times report showing that ACS’s employees admit their work is racially discriminatory as part of an uncovered internal audit.
Since her lawsuit, calls for reform have grown louder. But many families still don’t know their rights—or that they can fight back.
Explore how families are fighting to change the law – and how you can help.
There’s Still More Work to Do
Ms. Rivers’ victory was groundbreaking—but it was just a start. The same systemic racism and injustice that upended her life continues to affect thousands of families across New York City. We won’t stop until ACS policies reflect care, fairness, and respect for the dignity and safety of all families.
At The Bronx Defenders, we believe that families should be supported, not punished—and that every parent has the right to raise their children free from government overreach and racial bias.
Ms. Rivers’ story is proof that one mother’s courage can spark real change.