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…
Should DCF assume custody of children who are severely overweight? Yes according to obesity specialist, Dr. David Ludwig, who recently authored an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The argument seems to be that the parent(s) that by failing to maintain the child’s weight at a healthy level they are not…
The DCF Hotline number: 1-800-842-2288. I get calls or emails occasionally from those wishing to make a report. Don’t contact me to make a report. Call 1-800-842-2288 Who should call? Anyone who has a “reasonable suspicion” that a child is the victim of abuse or neglect. Who must call? Mandated reporters such as school personnel,…
I have seen the fact pattern many times in Juvenile Court. Infant. Injuries including retinal hemorrhages, bone fractures and bleeding in the brain. The parent is interviewed (interrogated). They are understandably scared. They are nervous, anxious, trying to offer any possible explanation. They want to cooperate and are searching for answers. Unfortunately, shaken baby syndrome…
One would think that a DCF Investigation would reduce the future risk of abuse or neglect to those children whose parents were investigated. Not so according to a recent study. The study examined the records of 595 similiarily situated children from ages 4 – 8. Of those children, 164 were part of a family…