Another issue that most overlook is that CPS hired an additional 70 staff to manage this effort. If a judge rules that all (or nearly all) children are returned, what will happen to the new staff? What about the embarassment and legal costs of botching this? If they do not retain custody, the CPS will fall upon very hard times.
If they return the kids, those 70 new CPS workers will all have to go find other “clients”. Which means if you have some neighbors that are particularly picky, you better get out and cut your yards nice and neat, or they might come visit you.