Parents often panic when they see a caseworker from the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) at their doorstep. Why? Their hearts start racing because they fear that the DCPP will barge through the front door and remove their children from their home. But fortunately, the DCPP cannot remove a child from his or her home unless there is a valid reason to take this step. When can the DCPP remove a child from his or her home? Here’s a look at some of the reasons why the DCPP can separate a child from his or her parents:
Injuries or Fatalities
The DCPP has the authority to remove a child from a potentially dangerous home environment. If a child has been injured in the past by someone within the home, the DCPP may consider removal. Sometimes, the DCPP will remove an injured child even if they cannot confirm how the injuries occurred. If the situation seems suspicious, removal is an option. Removal is also an option when the DCPP finds that a child’s sibling or another child was injured or killed by someone living in the home.
Lack of Parental Supervision
Children need supervision, and if their parents are not willing to provide it, the DCPP will remove the children from their home. If a child is abandoned at home for long periods of time, the DCPP may conclude that removal is the best option.
Parental Indifference
It is a parent’s job to care for their children. Parents that show a complete disregard for their children’s emotional or physical wellbeing may be separated from their children after the DCPP completes their investigation.
Physical or Sexual Abuse
During the course of the investigation, the DCPP may find evidence that the child is being physically or sexually abused by someone in the house. The DCPP takes reports of physical and sexual abuse very seriously, so they may remove the child from the family home upon finding this evidence.
Flight Risk
Some parents that are under investigation may think about fleeing the state in order to keep their families together. But, this is not recommended. The DCPP has the authority to remove a child from the home if they believe that the family is planning on skipping town to escape the investigation.
These are just some of the many reasons why the DCPP may remove a child from his or her home. If you are worried about your child being removed from your home, it’s important to seek legal representation right away.
If someone from the DCPP shows up at your door, contact Williams Law Group, LLC at once. Let our family law attorneys aggressively defend your rights through every step of the DCPP investigation. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation.
