Question

Hypothetically, if the CPS comes and take your child away and places them with foster parents does the child have to listen to the parents also what if they refuse to listen?

Answer 1

Short answer: yes — when a child is placed in foster care the foster parents (and the agency that has custody) are the child’s caregivers and can set rules and require the child to follow them. If the child refuses, the foster parents and the child‑welfare agency handle it through non‑violent discipline, casework interventions, therapy/behavior plans, changes in privileges or placement, or (in extreme cases) involvement of the court or police if safety or criminal behavior is involved.

Details to know:
- Who has legal custody: When CPS places a child in foster care the agency typically has legal custody; foster parents are the caretakers responsible for day‑to‑day supervision. That gives them authority to require school attendance, medication, curfew, chores, therapy attendance, and other routine rules consistent with the agency’s policies and the child’s case plan.
- Limits on authority: Foster parents must follow agency rules and the law. They may not use abusive or illegal discipline (no corporal punishment if prohibited by the agency/state), cannot deny medically necessary care, and generally need caseworker approval for major decisions (medical procedures, changing schools, etc.).
- What happens if a child refuses: Common responses are de‑escalation, setting and documenting clear expectations, temporary loss of privileges, referral to counseling or behavior management supports, and communication with the caseworker and the child’s attorney/guardian ad litem. If the child is a runaway or poses immediate danger, police may be involved. If noncompliance continues and is severe, the agency may move the child to a different placement or seek court-ordered interventions.
- Teens and older youth: Older adolescents may push back, but being older doesn’t usually give them the legal right to ignore the terms of the placement. If they are near the age of majority or already emancipated there are different rules.

If you’re a parent worried about a child who was removed: attend court hearings, get a lawyer or legal aid, cooperate with the case plan if you want reunification, and stay in contact with the caseworker. If you’re a foster parent dealing with refusal or serious behavior, document incidents, contact the caseworker immediately, and ask for support (behavioral resources, training, respite).

Child-welfare rules vary by state/country. If you want, tell me your state (or country) and the child’s age and I can give more specific information or point you to local resources.