In a heart-wrenching ordeal that highlights the failures within the child welfare system, one mother recounts the traumatic events that tore her family apart. With her children Zyion and Zamiya forcibly removed from her home by Kaufman CPS without an investigation ever happening, Avianca Culbertson found herself thrust into a nightmare of unfounded accusations, criminal charges, continuous legal battles, and termination of her parental rights.
At just 13 years old, Zyion was taken from his mother’s care, along with his sister Zamiya, then 8 years old. Shockingly, there was no investigation conducted prior to their removal. Instead, the mother was met with a barrage of criminal charges and pressured into accepting plea bargains by CPS officials.
The situation took a dire turn when the children were placed with their biological fathers. One father lacked stable housing and battled drug addiction, while the other was involved in drug dealing and lived in unsanitary conditions.
Despite the mother’s efforts to comply with the recommendations of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Kaufman County, attending classes at her own expense and earning commendations from instructors, the system failed to reunite her with her children.
The judicial process further compounded her anguish. Assigned a court-appointed appeal attorney with a history of favoring CPS interests, she faced an uphill battle for justice. Despite preparing for trial and demonstrating her innocence, the legal ordeal persisted. While the criminal charges against Culbertson were dismissed, the judge in family court still terminated her parental rights.
The family has faced a challenging journey marked by three years of separation and upheaval. As explained by Culbertson, the impact of these hardships has left lasting emotional wounds. Zyion and Zamiya now grapple with the aftermath of their traumatic experiences, from legal issues and truancy to trauma and mental health struggles stemming from their time under their fathers’ care.
This mother’s plea for justice echoes loudly. She seeks to raise her children in peace, free from the specter of unfounded allegations and systemic negligence. In the face of bureaucratic indifference and legal obstacles, this mother’s resilience shines through. Her story serves as a reminder of the human cost of institutional failures and the urgent need for change within the child welfare system. For Culbertson, Zyion, Zamiya, and countless other families, the pursuit of justice remains an ongoing struggle—one that demands attention, accountability, and meaningful change.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates on this story and more.
