How Does DCFS Get Involved with “Good” Parents?
Imagine this: you’re taking a nap on the couch, only to be awoken by a knock on the door. It’s the police and they’re concerned that your seven-year-old was playing outside unsupervised—and you didn’t even know they’d gotten outside. Stuff like this happens all the time and can, in some cases, cause DCFS to pay a visit to parents who aren’t abusive, neglectful, or putting their children in harm’s way. DCFS does sometimes get involved with good parents. Since their job is to keep children safe, they need to thoroughly investigate each report that contains enough information to be investigated. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes DCFS does over-investigate. If you know your children aren’t being abused or neglected, but DCFS has still found their way to your house, relax. This stuff does happen, probably more often than you’d think.
Anticipate a Visit
If the police are called due to concerns about your children—your next-door neighbor called in about your children playing in the front yard unsupervised, for example—do not be surprised if DCFS decides to pay you a visit. Any time the police have concerns about your children’s level of supervision, or their well-being while in your care, you may be hearing from DCFS, even if the police officer’s concerns aren’t valid. As previously mentioned, it’s DCFS’s job to investigate reports of potential child abuse. There may be times where you are unable to anticipate a visit from DCFS because an anonymous person decided to make a report on what most people would consider to be a non-issue. Even if you are blindsided by a DCFS worker, remember that you do not need to speak with them, you don’t have to let them in your home unless they have a warrant, and DCFS is not necessarily your friend—although they may act like it to get you to cooperate. Do not overshare in an attempt to be cooperative or befriend DCFS. Understand that you do not have to admit to any narrative they’ve gotten from the police or other sources.
Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen Again
DCFS does have to tell you why they’re there and what the allegations against you are. If the police showed up at your home because a neighbor called about your kids playing unsupervised in the front yard, make sure you don’t allow them to play unsupervised in the front yard. If the police show up at your house because of allegations others have made, you’ll want to be able to show DCFS that you’ve taken steps to remedy the situation. If your child keeps sneaking outside, for example, you’ll want to be able to tell DCFS that you’ve child-proofed your front door, for instance. While you may feel that DCFS is interfering with your life for bogus reasons, it could be in your best interests not to rock the boat too much. You don’t want to give those around you reasons to make additional DCFS reports and you don’t want DCFS to think that you don’t take these allegations and/or the situation seriously.
Consider Consulting an Attorney
Any time DCFS is involved in your life, you should consider consulting an attorney. DCFS may show up at your house for one reason and begin investigating other things even if the initial claims were unsubstantiated. As previously mentioned, DCFS has a reputation for being invasive and over-investigating. While DCFS has saved many children from dangerous, abusive, and/or neglectful parents, the organization has caused many parents to lose their sanity along with their sense of well-being and security. If DCFS is involved in your life, you may want to consider consulting with a family law attorney even if you didn’t do anything wrong. A lot of people think that DCFS will not cause problems if there’s nothing wrong with their parenting, but this isn’t necessarily true. DCFS can still cause problems, even if you’re considered to be a “good parent.”
There’s Such a Thing as Worrying too Much
While DCFS cases need to be treated with seriousness, there is such a thing as worrying too much. For example, if you do not abuse and/or neglect your kids, and you are not currently battling a substance or behavioral addiction (or other mental health concern) that would impact your ability to parent, it is unlikely that your child will be removed from your home and put up for adoption. DCFS’s goal is to keep families together. Allowing the children to go to foster care, let alone be adopted by a different family, is truly the last resort for DCFS workers. While DCFS may report their findings to the police, it would be very unusual for a parent to go to jail based on a DCFS investigation that revealed no findings of abuse and/or neglect.
When You Need Legal Advice
If DCFS is involved with your family, it may be a good idea to attend a consultation with a family law attorney to ensure your rights and your family are adequately protected. If you’ve been contacted by DCFS, and you’re looking for high quality legal representation, contact CoilLaw today to get started on your initial consultation.
