What Steps to Take After FALSE MA DCF Child Sexual Abuse Allegations?
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (MA DCF) investigates parents for DCF child abuse or neglect allegations. DCF takes child sexual abuse allegations especially seriously. Sometimes, they are totally false allegations. But every time DCF receives a report accusing a caretaker of child sexual abuse, they must take it seriously no matter how outrageous the story may be.
When MA DCF accuses you of child sexual abuse, there will most likely be criminal charges against you in addition to the DCF charges. That is because DCF must send all reports of child sexual abuse to local law enforcement (which means the police and the District Attorney’s office). Then you will have to go through a criminal investigation as well as a DCF investigation.
What Steps Should You Take When You Get Falsely Accused of Sexual Abuse?
False allegations of DCF child sexual abuse can bring an incredible amount of distress on an unsuspecting family. The stress can make it difficult to successfully fight against DCF because it gets in the way of your ability to think clearly. Therefore it is difficult for you to properly develop a plan. Luckily, you can always hire an experienced attorney to take over the case for you. They will help get you the support, information, and system you need to be successful against DCF.
Helpful Tips for Parents to Follow When Facing False DCF Sexual Abuse Allegations
Before you decide to hire a lawyer, the following are helpful tips to follow to set yourself up for success in your DCF case:
- Do not sign any document DCF gives you. When you sign a DCF document without a lawyer present, DCF can always include things in that document later on which were not there when you signed it. It is also important to never sign blank releases. In the past, DCF tricked parents into signing releases that lets DCF speak to their therapists, doctors and children’s’ teachers. DCF has also made parents sign blank action plans in the past, where the parents ended up signing off on things they had no idea about.
- Collect all evidence that correctly explain your relationship with the alleged victim. That includes clothing, photos, videos, and objects. Assume that DCF knows nothing, and that it is your responsibility to prove that there is a healthy and happy relationship between you and the child.
- Keep a collection of any documents that could help show your innocence. This can include letters, emails, text screenshots, and other DCF documents which contain helpful information for you. Once you have collected all the evidence, make multiple copies just in case they get lost or tampered with.
- Make a list of people who can vouch for you with their contact information. In a DCF investigation, these people are called “collaterals”. Any person who may have information or insight about the accusations, yourself, or your child, would be a collateral. This can include family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and coaches.
- Do not be afraid to ask your social worker questions. Facing accusations of sexual assault is a serious matter. Don’t be afraid to ask your social worker what exactly you must do to prove you are innocent. Remember to always treat your social worker with kindness and respect even when they are not treating you that way. Your social worker has the power to make things a lot worse for you in your DCF case. If you feel like your social worker is violating your rights or treating you unfairly, your best bet is to hire an experienced attorney to protect and defend you.
Are You Struggling to Fight Against False Sexual Abuse Allegations?
Hiring the right attorney can help with the stress that results from false DCF allegations. Deciding whether to hire a MA DCF attorney for sexual abuse allegation can be very hard. It means coming to terms with the fact that the allegations against you will not go away if you do not act immediately. If you want to keep a happy and healthy family, you must hire an experienced DCF attorney to help and guide you. Before you speak to anyone, do your research on the allegations and see if you can make a plan.
Then hire an experienced DCF attorney and go over your plan with them. The attorney will then work with you to make the plan better or build you a new plan that better fits your case and your goals. The right attorney will be the best guide. They understand exactly what DCF is looking for and what they will use as evidence against you. You need someone who focuses not only on keeping your child, but also makes the process easy for you. The best DCF attorneys are passionate about helping families.
They know that every family is unique, each with their own set of needs and abilities. No matter what the case is, an experienced DCF lawyer will always have a plan for every family. You want to hire someone who has been practicing DCF law for a long time. The amount of experience a lawyer has speaks to their familiarity with a wide variety of DCF cases and accusations. Attorney Seaver will protect your rights and ensure that your children stay with you, where they belong.
Kevin Seaver is a trusted Massachusetts DCF lawyer specialized in DCF law since 1991. 
DISCLAIMER
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.
Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer Kevin Seaver has been successfully fighting false child abuse allegations since 1991.