What Are the Legal Repercussions for a Child Who Makes False Abuse Claims?
The Legal Repercussions for a Child Who Makes False Abuse Claims False allegations of child sexual abuse can wreak havoc on families. Take the Johnsons, for example. They were an ordinary family until their teenage son, Jake, began struggling in school. As a parenting strategy, Jake’s parents tried to get him to study first through […]
DCF Mistakenly Picks Up the Wrong Child from Daycare
DCF is mandated by the Massachusetts Legislature to protect children. However, there are some instances when this does not happen. DCF has made mistakes, but don’t we all? It’s crucial for individuals undergoing such scrutiny to understand what are my rights during a DCF investigation to navigate this challenging process effectively. A DCF social worker […]
Supporting Immigrant Children in the United States
What Are Some Challenges That Come With Supporting 18 Million Immigrant Children? There are over 18 million immigrant children in the United States, and this number grows daily. This large population affects the United States’ courts, hospitals, and schools. Of these 18 million children, almost 88% were born in the United States. Undocumented parents, who […]
The Clergy Sexual Abuse Scandal of 1991: What can we learn and DCF Involvement?
Clergy Sexual Abuse: Understanding the Impact and Legal Challenges in Massachusetts Clergy Sexual Abuse and Its Lasting Effects on Victims and Communities Clergy Sexual Abuse has been a deeply troubling issue that has affected countless children and families, particularly in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe’s groundbreaking 2001 Spotlight investigation exposed widespread abuse within the Catholic Church, […]
DCF Fair Hearing Reversal of False Sexual Abuse Allegations – Case Study
Procedural History: The father, Mr. B, had three separate reports of child sexual abuse filed against him with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). These reports alleged that Mr. B had sexually abused and neglected his daughter in his home. DCF investigated and the allegations against Mr. B were supported for sexual abuse and […]
Reversing DCF Allegations of Physical Abuse and Neglect Against a Teacher in Superior Court – Case Study
Procedural History: Our client (hereinafter Ms. A) was a Teacher in Early Education Care (EEC). She has extensive experience working with children and she had no criminal or DCF history. The Department of Children and Families (hereinafter DCF) received a 51A report alleging neglect of Child 1 by Ms. A. Ms. A was accused of […]
What Happens When a Mandated Reporters Fail to Report to DCF?
Mandated Reporters and Their Crucial Role in Protecting Children: Understanding Reporting Obligations Mandated Reporters and the Importance of Reporting Suspected Abuse to DCF Mandated Reporters have a vital legal obligation to report any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). While this responsibility might seem straightforward, many cases of […]
How Parents Can Fight Back When DCF Oversteps Its Boundaries
What Actions Should You Take if DCF Oversteps Its Boundaries? Maria, a loving mother of three, receives a call from the Department of Children and Families (DCF). They informed her that her children had been taken from school and placed in foster care due to allegations of neglect. Shocked and confused, Maria has no idea […]
Sexual Abuse by the Clergy: Where was the DCF?
Many heartbreaking cases of sexual abuse came to light in Massachusetts in 2001. The Spotlight team from The Boston Globe conducted a long and thorough investigation into clergy sexual abuse. This effort by the Boston Globe Spotlight team became the basis for the Academy Award-winning movie “Spotlight” in 2016. Recently, Los Angeles, California, has reported […]
What to Do When You Are Falsely Accused of Child Abuse
What to Do When You Are Falsely Accused of Child Abuse for Hitting Your Child Alt text: hitting your child Imagine a typical afternoon at home: Emma and Oliver are helping their young son with his math homework, a subject that often leads to frustration. As they try to explain a difficult problem, their son […]
