PODCAST:
Feb. 6, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds discuss Sen. Jim Runestad’s push for CPS reform. Runestad highlights alleged failures and a bill to allow media and legislators access to case information.
LANSING ~ State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) is renewing a push to reform Child Protective Services reporting following the death of a Detroit child.
He initially pushed a bill in 2023 to allow legislators to review CPS reports following the death of 5-year-old Ethan Belcher, who was killed by his mom and stepfather earlier that year due to “severe abuse and torture,” according to a lawsuit against CPS agents. The family of Belcher accused CPS of mismanaging the case, saying that he was only removed once from his parents, despite signs of abuse, though it was only temporary.
