A pregnant woman was reported to social services by police who visited her home and found wallpaper hanging off the walls, according to reports.
Mary Cooke, 27, says she and her husband were redecorating to prepare for their baby's arrival - as many expectant parents do.
Police had initially called round to the house to take a statement after Mary was nearly knocked over by a speeding car.
But the police officer apparently reported her to the local council's children's services who then started an investigation.
Mary admitted her home was in a mess but says that the baby, the couple's first, is not due until April.
She told the Daily Express: "I feel sickened that I should be accused like this.
"I admit the house was in a bit of state when the police called, but that was because me and my husband Peter were in the middle of wall-papering to make sure everything was nice for when the baby arrives."
Mary had called the police to her home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, to report a dangerous driver after she was almost hit by a car.
She told the Express: "I invited the officer in and she spent five minutes in the hall and living room taking a statement.
"I thought it was about trying to trace the car but all the time she was judging us because of the condition of my home, which was in a mess like anyone's house would be when they are decorating.
"I can't believe it. I would never dream of bringing a newborn baby into a house while I was in the middle of decorating it."
I know the authorities are being extra careful about child protection particularly in the wake of the Baby P case, but is this going a bit far?
Source: Daily Express