Maryland 'free-range kids' taken into CPS custody

Two Maryland children who got national attention as the "free range kids" because of their parents' decision to let them roam alone were taken into custody again Sunday by Child Protective Services.

Danielle and Alexander Meitiv's children, ages 6 and 10, were picked up by police on Sunday at around 5 p.m., and taken to Child Protective Services. A neighbor apparently saw the children walking alone and called 911 to report it. FOX 5's Marina Marraco reports the children were walking about a third of a mile from home at the time.

Danielle Meitiv tells FOX 5 she had told her kids to be home by 6:30 p.m., and when they weren't, she and her husband became frantic and started driving around looking for them.

The Meitivs say CPS didn't call them to let them know they had the kids until about 8 p.m. The Meitivs drove to CPS to pick up their kids, but say they were told to "take a seat" and initially weren't given any information about their children, except that they were there.

Just after 10:30 p.m., the Meitivs were reunited with their kids. They had to sign a temporary safety plan to take them home, which means they are not allowed to leave the children unattended at all.

The Meitivs' 10-year-old son told reporters they sat in the police car for about two hours before they were told they would be dropped off at home, but instead, they went to CPS in Rockville.

Danielle Meitiv said she had a nightmare that something like this would happen.

The Meitiv family made national news in January, when the parents were investigated for letting their children roam freely though their town without parental supervision.

Then, in March, Child Protective Services found the parents were guilty of "unsubstantiated" child neglect. The children remained in their parents' custody. The Meitivs said they planned to appeal the decision, and this happened.

Police say after a thorough investigation, a decision about whether or not the Meitivs will face charges will be made.