A few comments about a number of posts.
1. As usual, I agree with Coronach.
2. A warrant is not magic. It just alters the burden of proof. Without a warrant, the state must prove that a search was performed pursuant to a recognized exception to the warrant requirement. If the police have gone to the effort of applying for a warrant before a judge, who is a member of the judicial branch of government and not a law enforcement officer, and they get one, the burden shifts to the person contesting the search, to demonstrate that it was issued without probable cause. A person affected by a search can contest a warrant. This issue is still whether there was sufficient information to allow a reasonable judge to conclude that probable cause existed.
3. Where do you folks live? The judges there just sign anything the police put in front of them? In my personal experience, the judges take a critical view of warrant applications, and ask GOOD questions about the affidavit and the actual content of the warrant.
4. There is a lot of case law on anonymous tips, and it isn't that easy to use uncorroborated anonymous tips to search. Quartus, I would be interested in reviewing your research, because I am not aware of it. I think that one of the latest SCOTUS cases, Florida v. J.L., only left the door open as it pertains to weapons of mass destruction. (I know, it could have relevance now, but not in this instance.) The mere fact that someone ratted a juvy with a gun was not sufficient to justify a warrantless pat down that was not corroborated by other evidence.
5. Nobody discloses settlement amounts, not even the car insurance company. That's why you settle. It's the balancing of risk of adverse judgment versus cost of defense/prosecution. You don't go around telling the world how much you paid to settle something. That just tells people to tee up a lawsuit, and you get x dollars. It's like giving people a budget to shoot for. It shouldn't be much in this case, though, because I don't see much damage in the quoted article.
6. Nobody's perfect, whether it's cops, social workers, doctors, teachers, people with CCW permits, etc. I have seen poorly trained officers say some really stupid stuff, all the while believing that they were acting in accordance with law, either because they were inadequately trained or because their department doesn't keep up with the ever evolving law. Given the disparate skills required of a police officer, it should take a couple of years of police academy on top of a 4 year college degree (or reasonable equivalent) to become a PO, but society does not want to pay for that level of education. I have the utmost respect for the officers that can get it right without that level of education. I also understand the ones who don't, as long as they are trying to do it right. I have no respect for those that ignore the law, don't want to learn, or who violate rights because it's easier. The courts are always there to address grievances.
7. It's hard taking kids away from parents. Even if cops and protective services take the kids into protective custody, the courts still have the final say, and it isn't easy. Anyone who has been through divorce proceedings understands how hard it is to take away custody and/or visitation rights from a single parent. Think about the same deal, but trying to sever rights from both parents.
8. Cops are more than familiar with the use of child abuse charges as a litigation tactic. They are very skeptical of allegations of abuse from someone with an interest in the outcome. "Let me get this straight, you lived with a person who did dope for x years, but NOW you want me to take the kids away because you are in divorce proceedings and you want exclusive custody because the other parent does drugs?"
9. In my experience, cops do not remove kids from homes lightly, and it can be a very difficult decision either way. Stuff like a rat on a table are not a big deal, if they work in a place where a lot of people live in poverty areas, and rats in the home are not uncommon.
Two things that you DO NOT MESS WITH is my children or my wife. Pick on me all you want. The rest can be burned down and taken away. THESE I WILL FIGHT AND DIE FOR! 
