If an investigation undertaken by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) ends with the DCF filing a neglect petition, the next steps you take to contest or otherwise address that petition could have a monumental impact on what the rest of your life looks like, as well as the course that the lives of your children and other family members take. Regardless of the grounds for a DCF neglect petition in Norwalk or what consequences may come of it, you should think twice before trying to handle this type of court proceeding without support from a seasoned DCF defense attorney who has handled similar situations effectively in the past.
Usually, the DCF will only pursue a neglect petition against a parent or guardian in Norwalk if a previous investigation has “substantiated,” based on a majority of available evidence or there is a suspicion that a child in the party’s household has been or is at serious long-term risk of being abused, neglected, or “uncared for.” These terms all have specific legal definitions listed under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §46b-120, but in general, the DCF will take action if they believe that a minor child has experienced any of the following:
Depending on the perceived severity of the alleged mistreatment, a neglect petition in Norwalk may be accompanied by a request for an administrative hold allowing the DCF to take custody of the impacted child(ren) for up to 96 hours, or—in extreme situations—by an Order of Temporary Custody.
Most of the time, the preferred outcome of a Norwalk neglect petition for both the DCF and the court system is to keep children with their families while still ensuring they have their basic physical, emotional, educational, and moral needs met. With that in mind, it is common for neglect petition hearings where the court sides with the DCF to end with an order for “protective supervision,” which means that the children will stay at home with their parent(s) or guardian(s) under the condition that those adults consent to continuous monitoring by DCF and follow specific court-ordered steps to improve the welfare of their children.
If the DCF and the court believe it to be in the child’s best interest, though, they can order custody of the child to be transferred to a relative or seek what is known as a commitment order, which would result in the child being placed in foster care and their parent(s) or guardian(s) having their parental rights terminated. Either way, representation from seasoned legal counsel can be vital to protecting the rights of defendants during a proceeding like this while still preserving the best interests of the children involved.
Allegations that you neglected, abused, or otherwise failed to care properly for your child can be upsetting under any circumstances, but they can be downright life-altering if they result in the DCF filing a neglect petition against you. Fortunately, you have help available when it comes to fighting against DCF neglect petitions in Norwalk from a capable legal professional who understands what you are going through and knows how to get you through it with the best case result possible. Call today to discuss your options.
