I have been involved in countless DCF Investigations in which child abuse is alleged. DCF will ask the parents to explain how the injury occurred. DCF then provides the child’s medical records, statements of the parent’s explanations and any other pertinent information to a pediatrician specializing in the diagnosis of child abuse. If, according to…
Good news for the thousands on the Connecticut DCF Child Abuse Registry. Legislation is being considered which would allow individuals to appeal if they have been on the Registry for at least 5 years. To be removed, applicants must establish that they have “rehabilitated” or that other legitimate reasons exist for removing their…
The DCF Central Registry is not limited to parents of children. Any identifiable person who is found to pose a risk to the health, safety and well-being of children may be placed on the DCF Central Registry. A recent case illustrates this point. Two children, ages 7 and 5, were living with their aunt and…
Here is a brief summary of the process of the Connecticut DCF Central Registry process: 1. DCF must substantiate child abuse or child neglect. Therefore, if DCF fails to substantiate abuse or neglect then there is no Central Registry placement. 2. If there has been a Substantiation for abuse or neglect DCF must then prove…
DCF must inform parents of their legal rights at the beginning of the DCF Investigation. In the past, an Investigator would sometimes present parents under Investigation with a two page document called a “Parent’s Right to Know Pamphlet.” The pamphlet was 2 pages of questions and answers concerning basic answers to questions surrounding the State’s…
I came across an article on interviewing adult clients in a child protection case – DCF case. The article divided the interview into four stages: 1. Introductory stage to establish rapport. 2. Information stage to gather facts and perspectives from the client and to organize the evidence in a logical manner. 3. Theory stage. The…