Overview
- Buttigieg disclosed Friday that an anonymous caller to Child Protective Services prompted a Michigan State Police and CPS response that left him apart from his four-year-old twins for about 24 hours.
- A Michigan State Police officer and a CPS worker visited the Traverse City home, arranged separate forensic interviews for each child, and told Buttigieg he could not be alone with the children until the interviews were complete.
- After the interviews and follow-up inquiries, Michigan State Police and CPS determined the report was false and the CPS worker found nothing to substantiate the allegation.
- The officer told Buttigieg he believed the claim was politically motivated and would not be referred to prosecutors, and Buttigieg said he will pursue any available civil or criminal remedies.
- Officials warned that false reports divert resources and risk harm, and the episode has drawn public condemnation while raising concern about a growing trend of 'swatting'-style hoaxes that use child-welfare systems to harass public figures.