In this episode of Torn, we go beyond policy and take a closer look at what advocates, attorneys, and families are seeing in real time: how hospital practices—particularly drug testing, consent, and reporting—can lead to child welfare involvement.

Joined by nurse scientist Dr. Kelly McGlothen Bell, we examine how decisions made in clinical settings can have immediate and lasting consequences for families. From unclear consent processes to inconsistent testing practices, this conversation highlights how routine care can quickly shift into investigation.

We explore:

• The critical difference between drug screening and drug testing

• How consent is often misunderstood or not fully informed

• Why testing practices can be inconsistent and influenced by bias

• How and when information is shared with child welfare agencies

• The impact these practices have on trust, care-seeking, and maternal health outcomes

This episode also centers what is often overlooked: the importance of bonding, stability, and support in the immediate postpartum period—and how quickly that can be disrupted.

For those working in child welfare and family defense, this conversation reflects a familiar reality: Cases that begin in hospitals, where decisions are made quickly, often without full context, and where the consequences extend far beyond the delivery room.

At its core, this episode asks:
What would it look like to move from surveillance and reporting toward care and support?

🎧 Listen to the full episode to better understand how hospital practices shape system involvement—and what needs to change.

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Learn more about Dr. Kelly McGlothen Bell.