9 episodes
Do No Harm Wondery
-
- True Crime
-
-
4.7 • 7.1K Ratings
-
Melissa Bright thinks she's living every parent's worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins.The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from abuse, it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights' fight to hold their family together, against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good. Hosted by NBC News National Investigative Reporter Mike Hixenbaugh, Do No Harm is a co-production of NBC News and Wondery.
All episodes are available ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
-
Fractures
Melissa and Dillon Bright race to the emergency room after their baby is seriously injured. As doctors assess the injuries, the Brights pray their son will be OK. But then a different team of doctors enters Mason’s hospital room, and the real nightmare begins.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Warning Signs
Melissa and Dillon believe if they just tell the truth, Child Protective Services will see they aren’t a danger to their children. But the state of Texas isn’t just going to take their word for it. Not after the horror story that unfolded in another family a year earlier.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Immediate Danger
The Brights figure CPS has moved on. Melissa and Dillon try to do the same. But when a CPS worker comes to their door, it's the beginning of the hardest night of their lives.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Standard Protocol
Across town, Lance and Sharde Butler have been fighting their own battle against CPS. After nearly a year, the system has almost broken them. But soon the Bright’s case will intertwine with their own in ways that neither family could have imagined.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some additional resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
The Fighter
A pair of brash Texas lawyers step in to help the Brights, but by then, damage has already been done. As they each head to court, the Brights and the Butlers fear the worst.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
The Cost
As the Brights and Butlers confront CPS, their shared struggles raise difficult questions: Who’s really protecting children? And is this what it takes to keep them safe?
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Customer Reviews
DCFS Needs Heavy-Duty Guardrails
Loving and caring parents are usually diligent about seeking health care and treatment for their children when there is sickness and injury while abusers typically do not.
With a genetic connective tissue problem (EDS) only having recently been identified in our family, I am so glad we have good relationships with our healthcare providers and teachers. We have many past injuries explained due to EDS that we did not know then. If we had been suspected of abuse by anyone, who knows the outcome with DCSF calling the shots.
Well Done
We have seen too many cases of CPS fumbling the ball. Whether it’s Maya Kowalski or these two families, it’s time to take action. That’s how I view this podcast. It’s a call to action. CPS has become a checklist, nothing more, and a checklist is not appropriate for very human nuanced situations like this. It should make everyone angry to hear that judgments are being made by people to serve themselves rather than the children and then it’s called in the best interest of the children. No, it’s not. As for the podcast itself, it is extremely well researched. There are a lot of ads, but there is also a way to listen to it without ads. So it’s your choice.
Could happen to any parent in any state
Such a well done podcast. I couldn’t stop listening- blood boiling anger, sadness, tears, happiness, and relief. CPS is very important for our children but only if…