DCF cases in Bridgeport Juvenile Court may be limited to the filing of a Neglect Petition.  But when there are immediate safety concerns DCF will also apply for an Order of Temporary Custody.

Orders of Temporary Custody

A Juvenile Court judge will issue an Order of Temporary Custody (OTC) when a child needs immediate protection. If this happens, the parents will be served with a copy of the OTC and a Summons to appear in Bridgeport Juvenile Court – usually on a Friday. At that court appearance, a conference will be held to discuss a potential resolution of the temporary custody. If the case cannot be resolved, the parents have a right to challenge the OTC at a hearing within 10 days. The hearing usually takes place at the Child Protection Session in Middletown.

Neglect Petitions

If there is no OTC, the parents will appear on either a Tuesday or Thursday to be advised of their legal rights. The case will then be assigned a date for a Case Status Conference – usually a Monday or Wednesday – to discuss outcomes.

Possible Outcomes

Dismissal or withdrawal. When DCF cannot prove at least one of the allegations, the Neglect Petition will eventually be either withdrawn by DCF or dismissed by a judge.

If DCF can prove one or more of their claims, then one of the following will occur:

Protective Supervision. The child lives with one or both of the parents and DCF has court-imposed oversight for a specified period of time – usually 6 months. The parents are provided with Specific Steps, which set forth what is expected of them to retain custody and ultimately have the case end.

Commitment. DCF becomes the child’s legal guardian. The child is placed in foster care, a group home or residential facility.

Transfer of guardianship. A third party such as a relative becomes the child’s legal guardian. The judge must make a finding that the proposed guardian is suitable and worthy to assume the role of guardian.

If the no agreement is reached at the Case Status Conference, a parent always has the right to contest the allegations in the Neglect Petition at a trial.

Please email me or call (203) 259-5251 if you wish more information regarding DCF cases in Bridgeport Juvenile Court.

CategoryJuvenile Court

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