New Jersey Child Protection Investigations
If a formal complaint of child abuse or neglect is filed with the state child protection agency, a full investigation will be launched. Investigations of this nature are treated with extreme care, and agency members will thoroughly examine every allegation. If you are involved in a situation involving a child abuse claim, it is important to be aware of your rights and understand how these cases operate. A skilled attorney could explain the nuances of a New Jersey child protection investigation and prepare you to navigate this process effectively.
How an Investigation Proceeds
At the start of a child protection investigation, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) will visit the child’s home and will often speak to the child and their parents during this initial visit. From there, the agency member working on the case will reach out to teachers, therapists, and doctors that the child regularly sees, as well as other family members, neighbors or any individuals with insight into the domestic situation.
After completing all of these interviews, the agency member will determine if the domestic environment is unsafe and may remove the child from their place of residence. It could be crucial for someone at the center of a child protection investigation to have a New Jersey attorney by their side through each step of the process.
Objective of the Investigation
A complaint of abuse or neglect filed with the DCPP is the foundation of every child protection investigation. The scope of the investigation and the structure of its proceedings will depend on the exact nature of the complaint. For example, if the report named a specific individual, they would be the subject of the investigation.
The purpose of this kind of investigation is to ensure that the child in question is safe in the care of their parents or guardians and to determine if there is any merit to the initial complaint. By the end of the investigation, the DCPP will know if they can close the case or if further action and intervention is necessary.
Investigation Timeline
The timeframe for each investigation depends on the specific factors of the case. Typically, the investigation proceedings are supposed to conclude within 60 days. However, the timeline can be extended an additional 30 days if the DCPP needs to gather more information. The investigations are usually shorter when the claim is found to have no merit, and the agency is able to close the case after a brief series of interviews.
In more complex cases where there are issues that require court intervention, the DCPP will file an application in the court asking for certain services and evaluation, which can significantly extend the timeline of the proceedings. Legal counsel may be especially valuable in these lengthy child protection investigations.
A New Jersey Attorney Could Guide You Through the Child Protection Investigation Process
Child abuse claims are always taken seriously under state law, which means the investigations that follow can have a significant impact on a family’s domestic situation. If you are undergoing a child protection investigation in New Jersey, you should enlist the help of a compassionate lawyer who knows exactly how this process works and could give you peace of mind throughout the ordeal. Call today to schedule a consultation.
