DCF Investigations are usually triggered by a call to the DCF Hotline. Often a mandated reporter, like a counselor or school social worker, makes the call. During the call, a “Hotline Worker” will gather information to determine whether the case is serious enough to warrant opening a case.
If a case is opened, it will be referred to a local DCF office – the office closest to the town where the family resides. In Fairfield County, this means a DCF office in Bridgeport, Norwalk or Stamford.
Some cases require immediate action. Other cases are less of an immediate concern. In these cases, there is a 72-hour time response time.
Connecticut DCF Investigations
Per Connecticut General Statutes, a child abuse or child neglect Investigation must be completed within 45 days. Some will be concluded much earlier; others will take the full 45 days.
The completion time depends on a number of factors such as the seriousness of the allegations, the volume of cases (and the deadlines imposed by those cases), the amount of information to be gathered through the professionals involved with the family (therapists, pediatricians, teachers etc.).
A parent’s instinct is to fully cooperate with DCF. After all, there’s nothing to hide. They sometimes mistakenly think that forming a rapport with the Investigator will make things easier.
Bottom line -more cooperation does NOT mean better result. In fact, it could significantly hurt a parent’s case. Remember, parents are not required to discuss the case with the social worker. Under most circumstances, children cannot be interviewed unless a parent or guardian consent. Parents do not have to sign Authorizations or Releases of Information.
Consultation and Representation
I represent clients in Juvenile Court matters through out Fairfield and New Haven Counties including those who reside in Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich, Shelton, Orange and Milford.
Please email me or call me in Stamford at (203) 356-1475 or in Fairfield at (203) 259-5251 to schedule a consultation regarding a Connecticut DCF Investigation.