Living in your car is a last resort for most parents, but if this happens to you, you need to be aware of your legal rights and responsibilities to protect your family from harm. This tragic situation presents a significant risk to your children’s safety and well-being.
The compassionate attorneys at Mark Sherman Law understand the challenging circumstances in which you may have found yourself. Keep reading to learn the answer to the question, “Can CPS take your kid for living in a car?”
Child Protective Services (CPS), or the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Connecticut, is a governmental agency charged with the protection of our community’s youth. If you are living with your child in your car, DCF may take your children from you because by state law, you must be able to provide your kids with adequate shelter. However, removal is not always an automatic process, and agents must conduct an investigation first.
There are several factors that can lead to DCF involvement, including the risk of harm. Living in a car is considered an unstable situation. It puts a child at risk of conditions such as heatstroke and carbon monoxide poisoning, and it is a failure to meet their basic needs of adequate shelter.
DCF is mandated by state law to investigate all reports of potential child abuse or neglect. The first step is to determine whether the child is in danger or being neglected while living in your car. If they are, the agency may first try to help you find a suitable shelter. However, if agents determine that your child is in immediate danger, they have the authority to immediately remove them from your care. In some cases, living in your car with your children may lead to criminal charges for endangerment.
If you are in the unfortunate situation of living in your car, it is vital that you seek help from local organizations, such as DCF. This agency has resources that may be able to help you take control of your situation by helping you find safe and stable housing for your family, so you can keep your children with you.
An agent may be able to find you temporary housing at a shelter or help you get additional assistance through the department’s Supportive Housing for Families program. You may also be able to apply for Temporary Family Assistance to help prevent homelessness.
Yes, CPS can take your kid for living in a car. However, with the right help from the right agencies, we can prevent this from happening to your family. Do not hesitate to reach out to the Law Offices of Mark Sherman today.
We are the only law firm of our kind to have a former DCF investigator on staff. With that kind of firsthand experience, you can be sure of the support you need. Take a moment to browse our Avvo profile and read the 300+ certified reviews our firm has collected over the years from our satisfied clients.
