Child neglect, both parents drug addicts...Tricky because they're out of state

My nephew and 2 neices were taken by their mother to California becuase
thefather was/is addicted to crack cocaine. Since moving last June, the
mother has now started using and is neglecting the children due to her own
addiction with crystal meth. We, the family, have been receiving calls
from concerned neighbors as well as other family members stating the
importantce of removing the children from that home as soon as possible. Child Protective Services have been contacted and to our understanding, have made visits to the home. My mother-in-law, the childrens grandmother, is attempting to get a bus ticket and go to California to remove the
children from the mothers home once she has left for an evening of drug use and God knows what else. She states she has convinced the neighbors and other family members to cover for her once the childrens mother comes back to discover her kids gone, stating they will tell her CPS came to remove
the kids or that the father took them. I\'ve tried to tell her to wait for
the courts to order the children be removed and then make the trip out
there but she's not listening. If she goes ahead with this I'm worried that
she'll end up in trouble and the kids will be taken away anyway. I think this
would be considered kidnapping. I'm not sure what to do and if ANYONE in myfamily found out I was inquiring as to the legal ramifications, I\'d
likely be excommunicated. Can you please advise me as to what may happen if she goes through with this? Time is of the essance. I truly appreciate your assistance.

She cannot take the kids away herself especially if child services has already been out there and they do not see an emergency situation.

Get the court involved ASAP and before acting if possible.

If ANYONE in your family has any brains at all they should be thrilled that you are seeking information (and for free). I have been in a similar situation and had to "wait it out" until my sister came to her senses (and had the strength and nerve) to leave an abusive man. It was incredibly hard knowing the kids were in danger. I called every state office I could think of, for advice, without reporting it because I didn't want the kids taken away. However, you DO want the kids removed if there is no one there to protect them. If the neighbors are so helpful I would ask them to call child services DAILY to report EVERYTHING until they are removed. If anyone takes the kids without the parents permission it is kidnapping! That will only make things messier and then the courts may see the grandmother as unfit when they do need somewhere to place the kids. Besides that, she wouldn't be able to put them in school when she brought them home (if they are school aged) or take them to the dr. or anything else. It's hard to wait and to depend on our sysrem sometimes but that is what you need to do. Just hound the "system" as much as you can until you get results!!! Keep trying, don't give up! Good luck! Cindy