My question involves child abuse or neglect in the State of: Washington
My husband has two kids from his previous relationship. The kids talk often about their mom playing rough with them while drunk, such as biting, pinching, and crushing them till they cannot breath. However, there have been no marks with which to substantiate these claims.
Recently a cps investigation opened against their mom regarding the alleged abuse occuring in her home. Cps called my husband and had him pick up the children from school and told him to file for temporary custody. When he tried, the court told him that the investigator of the case has to appear as a witness to support his request, but that there isn't likely enough evidence to get the request approved.
There is a parenting plan in place detailing living arrangements between us and her, and because cps had us take the kids, we have been in violation of it. If we don't return the children to her, I'm worried she will press charges against my husband, but the kids do not want to go back to her or even see her.
Could we be in trouble with cps for returning the kids? I don't want them to go back, because they are scared, but we can't afford any legal trouble or a lawyer to help us. We don't know if cps has filed the case with the court.

