DYS: Two newborns test positive for methamphetamine; parent tests positive for cocaine

The DCCA- Division of Youth Services – Child Protective Services (DYS- CPS) is sharing its FY 2026 First Quarter data to help the community better understand the child safety concerns being reported and the work happening across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

From October through December 2025, CPS Saipan received 91 new reports, involving 278 children and 217 allegations. This along with FY 2025 carryover of 478 cases involving 1,320 children provides for a total count for the FY 2026 thus far of 569 cases involving 1,598 children.

On Tinian, CPS began FY 2026 with 8 carryover cases involving 13 children. From October through December 2025, CPS received 3 new reports, involving 7 children. This brings Tinian’s total for FY 2026 so far to 11 cases involving 20 children.

The new reports primarily involved educational neglect and drug concerns in the home, including substance exposure involving a newborn and parental substance use.

On Rota, CPS began FY 2026 with 5 carryover cases involving 12 children. From October through December 2025, CPS received 4 new reports, involving 10 additional children. This brings Rota’s total for FY 2026 so far to 9 cases involving 22 children.

Many of the reports involved wellness checks, emotional and physical abuse, neglect, domestic violence, educational neglect, and drug concerns in the home. CPS also handled four cases involving child pornography and digital exploitation, which generally involve sexually explicit images or content of children being shared, accessed, or circulated online. These cases are immediately referred to law enforcement.

Since the start of FY 2026, CPS has also responded to serious substance-exposure concerns, including:

• Two newborns who tested positive for methamphetamine at birth

• One parent who tested positive for cocaine

All substance-related cases require immediate safety checks and close coordination with partner agencies to ensure children are safe.

Understanding Wardship

Some cases rise to the level of wardship, which means the court has placed a child under its legal protection due to safety concerns. In these situations, CPS works closely with the court, families, and caregivers to ensure children are safe, stable, and receiving needed services.

From October through December 2025, CPS managed 20 wardship cases, which involved 43 children under court jurisdiction. CPS continues to prioritize keeping children with family whenever it is safe to do so, while also supporting approved foster parents in the community.

DYS Administrator Vivian T. Sablan shared: “More and more families are reaching out to DYS for support and we thank them for recognizing that we are here to help. This data shows why early support and intervention matters — and why we encourage families to ask for help before situation escalates.”

Mariah Manglona, CPS Supervisor, added: “Some of these numbers are hard to read, especially when substance exposure or online exploitation is involved. But sharing this information is important. It helps the community understand what CPS is seeing and why prevention, awareness, and reporting truly make a difference. I’m proud of our team across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.”

Reporting Concerns and Getting Help

• For emergencies: Call 911

• To report concerns or reach CPS after hours:

o (670) 237-1005 to 1014

o (670) 285-2780 or 2781 (on-call numbers)

Community members who are interested in learning more about the Foster Care Program, including kinship and foster parenting, are encouraged to contact DYS for more information.

DYS remains committed to protecting children, supporting families, and working alongside community partners throughout the CNMI.