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When Will CPS Interview my Child? State CPS agencies have ample rights when it comes to investigating child abuse or neglect reports. One of these rights is the right to interview the child in question. New Jersey’s CPS agency, the DCPP (formerly the DYFS), has the right to go to your child’s school or childcare…

A Difficult Call to Make Speaking up about the mistreatment of a child can be difficult, especially if you know and care about the family. It’s normal to want to remain involved in some way after you report child abuse. The DCPP (formerly the DYFS), New Jersey’s CPS agency, must keep reports and case records…

A Higher Authority New Jersey’s CPS agency, the DCPP, is tasked with investigating reports of child maltreatment and taking steps to protect children at risk of harm in the home. To do this, it sometimes needs to involve the family court if it needs any New Jersey court orders. In New Jersey, the family court…

Protections Under the Fourth Amendment The Fourth Amendment, arguably one of the most well-known amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protects us from unreasonable search and seizure. Essentially, this means that law enforcement must have a good reason (i.e. probable cause) to search your person or your property and seize any belongings. This protection is especially…

Defending Your Family After Deception The media is filled with stories of CPS caseworkers that lied to parents under investigation for child maltreatment. Some CPS caseworkers have even lied under oath in court, which is a criminal offense. We’re not going to delve into why caseworkers lie because what’s more important is what you should…

Injuries and Child Abuse Kids injure themselves every day. Their playful and at times fearless nature can lead to both serious and non-serious injuries on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many common injuries, such as broken bones and bruises, can seem like intentional acts (i.e. child abuse). Indeed, many parents have faced child abuse allegations when…

Child welfare caseworkers are subject to many time limits they must meet to properly handle a case. The time limits protect the rights of the child because they help minimize the amount of time children are without a safe and permanent home. Unfortunately, caseworkers don’t always heed these time limits. Therefore, parents should be aware…

When Your Case Is Mishandled New Jersey’s CPS agency, the DCPP (formerly the DYFS) is responsible for responding to and investigating child abuse reports. The child abuse investigation process is fraught with complications and administrative weaknesses that, at times, can leave parents feeling as if their rights were violated. From pushy caseworkers to mishandling of…

Children in the Crisis Children are often the unrecognized victims of the opioid crisis in America. From those left orphaned by parents who overdose to those exposed to opioid use in the womb, the opioid crisis overwhelmingly impacts children. And child maltreatment is just one type of collateral damage from the crisis. Coupled with the…

Child Maltreatment Fatalities in the Media Reports of child maltreatment fatalities are on the rise as media coverage has indicated. But the increase in fatalities is due—in large part—to the limitations of state child welfare systems. Most notably, child maltreatment fatalities have increased predominately in Indiana and Texas. These are both states with struggling child…