American Heroes: The government took their children at 1 a.m. Without a warrant
Most parents assume that if the government wants to take their children, it first has to convince a judge.
Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins learned otherwise.
A mere 36 hours after Sarah took their infant son to the emergency room for a fever, child welfare and police officers arrived at their door in the middle of the night and took their two young boys—without a warrant and without a court order.
On this month’s American Heroes, Josh and Sarah explain what happened that night, how their family fought to reunite, and why they chose to challenge the government’s actions in court.
“It was extraordinarily devastating,” Sarah recalls. “I always assumed the system worked. Not perfectly, but generally worked to keep people safe.”
The family was eventually reunited, the investigation was dropped, and they were fully exonerated. But Josh and Sarah couldn’t move on.
After their story became public, they began hearing from parents across the country asking the same heartbreaking question: “How do I get my kids back?”
That’s when they decided to fight back—not just for their family, but for others.
“I think we felt like it’s our responsibility to fight back as citizens,” Josh says. “The government is not allowed to behave this way, and we’re not going to let it.”
“This case matters,” Sarah says. “Whatever good comes from it, I hope will be a step toward security and preserving the Constitution for so many families.”
Listen to Kathy Hoekstra’s conversation with Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins on American Heroes.
American Heroes with Kathy Hoekstra is a monthly radio report from Pacific Legal Foundation, airing on American Radio Journal. Each episode defends liberty, empowers individuals, and celebrates the heroes who stand up for what’s right.
Catch up on previous episodes of American Heroes:
- Is a doctor’s call a crime? – Listen
- When the government wipes out your property rights and your family legacy—overnight – Listen
- Beating illegal tariffs with Eva St. Clair and Rebecca Melsky – Listen
- Fighting for Homeowners’ Rights with Christina Martin – Listen
- Her family built a safe product. The government destroyed their business. – Listen
- From Steinway to sawdust: The fight to save Alaska’s last timber mill – Listen
- When California regulates Pennsylvania trucking – Listen
