DCF Connecticut Physical Neglect is broadly defined as the failure to provide and maintain adequate food. clothing, supervision and safety for a child.
Here are some examples:
- Abandonment
- Failure to provide appropriate supervision by leaving a child alone for an excessive period of time given the child’s age and cognitive abilities
- Erratic behavior
- Substance abuse
- Mental health issues or psychiatric problems
- Exposing the child to domestic violence
- Inability to provide the minimum of child-caring tasks
- Inability to provide or maintain a safe living environment.
In an extreme case of Physical Neglect, where DCF believes that the child needs immediate protection, they can take a 96-hour hold of a child and apply for an Order of Temporary Custody from a Juvenile Court judge. In less serious cases, DCF may file Neglect Petitions in Juvenile Court while they further investigate. Of course, the best case outcome for those parents who have been falsely accused is that DCF realizes that there are no child welfare concerns and closes the case in relatively short order.
DCF has 45 calendar days to close their Investigation and make a “Substantiation” decision.
The principle factor in determining if Physical Neglect will be Substantiated is whether the alleged Neglect adversely impacted the child. Without this specific finding, most Physical Neglect cases should not be substantiated. Nevertheless, some times they are – at least initially.
If you think DCF made a mistake, there is a right to appeal a DCF Substantiation. Read some of my other blogs to learn more about this process.
You may contact me by email or by calling my Fairfield office at (203) 259-5251 or in Stamford at (203) 356-1475 for more information on DCF Connecticut Physical Neglect.