When DCF Interviews Children at School
Hello and thank you for joining me here today. My name is Kevin Seaver, I’m located in Boston, MA, trusted lawyer since 1991, helping you and families successfully fight the Department of Children and Families, more commonly referred to The DCF.
Before their exciting journey, they had a thorough conversation with the kids. It’s truly admirable how he’s managing this challenging task. And the awful thing about anonymous reporters is that anyone can file one against anybody. Naturally, DCF found themselves in a situation where they had to pay a visit to the house. Given the circumstances, it was imperative for them to take action promptly.
Nonetheless, before setting out on their exhilarating expedition, they meticulously and thoughtfully engaged in a thorough and all-encompassing conversation with the children. Furthermore, they conscientiously devoted themselves to their needs and desires, ensuring that every detail was accounted for. As a result, the kids felt truly heard and valued during the entire journey.
This scrupulous approach, characterized by unwavering diligence and meticulous care, ensured that every participant was thoroughly and comprehensively prepared, both in terms of physical fitness and mental readiness. Consequently, as a direct consequence of this rigorous and methodical preparation, it undeniably proved to be absolutely essential for the thrilling and electrifying adventure that awaited them on their impending journey. This preliminary investigation was absolutely indispensable as it enabled them to amass invaluable insights into the prevailing circumstances.
They diligently acquired vital information, enhancing their visit.
And they asked them:
“Have you been sexually abused?” They all said no.
“Have you ever been physically abused by Dad?”
“No. Dad disciplines by removing privileges, sending us to our room, and confiscating TV, laptop, and phone.”
“Has dad ever done drugs in front of you?” “No.”
“Has dad ever drank alcohol?” “No.”
“Does Dad have a girlfriend?” “No.”
“Does Dad ever physically abuse you guys?” “No.”
“Have you ever seen Dad get in a fight with anybody?” “No.”
And on and on and on to the point where DCF is wondering what is going on. Naturally, DCF found themselves in a situation where they had to pay a visit to the house. Given the circumstances, it was imperative for them to take action promptly. However, prior to their visit, they took the necessary step of questioning the kids. This preliminary inquiry was essential in order to gather vital information about the situation at hand. Consequently, armed with this knowledge, they were better prepared to address the issues they might encounter during their visit.
“Do you have food in the refrigerator?” “Yes.”
“Food in the cabinets?” “Yes.”
“Are you afraid of dad?”
The kids said to me, “What’s with this DCF worker? We love our dad.” They all said “He’s a great guy. He attends all our games and works hard he’s a terrific single dad.” So DCF went out to his house and interviewed the dad. Dad corroborated exactly what the kids had said. DCF unsupported all allegations, against the father.
Despite my reluctance to see it happen, they had to go to the school and speak to the children. All the kids confirmed what the father had said, and they closed the case. In the end, the father asked me if it was fair for them to interview his kids at school, and I said, “In certain circumstances, absolutely.”
In this case, they reported that the kids had suffered sexual and physical abuse. They interviewed the kids at school, a blessing in disguise for getting truthful answers from children fearing abuse at home. The department did the right thing and ended a story with a happy ending for all.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s advisable to seek legal representation from a qualified attorney, like those at the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, who can advocate for your rights and guide you through the complex process of a DCF investigation.
Remember that the ultimate goal of DCF is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting families in crisis.
Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers.
Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from the attorney based on personal circumstances. Thank you.
Kevin Patrick Seaver is a Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer who represents parents against false child abuse allegations.