If you're raising a child in Gloucester County, you probably have your fair share of worries about their safety and health. However, the one thing you might not be aware of is the risk of investigations that can tear your family apart. Being accused of child abuse or neglect can quickly lead to a loss of custody and even court proceedings that forever alter your family.
If someone reports you to New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), you must act fast. The Lento Law Firm can assist you in understanding the allegations and their potential impact on your child. Call our Family Law Team today at 888-535-3686 or send us further details through our online contact form to schedule your consultation.
New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency
New Jersey's DCP&P is tasked with safeguarding children in the state from potential harm, abuse, and neglect. If the agency suspects a New Jersey resident of abuse, it can intervene by removing them from the residence. DCP&P actions can result in children being permanently removed from the custody of their parent or guardian.
One of DCP&P's primary responsibilities is to take action to safeguard New Jersey kids; however, that isn't all they do. As part of their interventions, they often build legal cases against abusers for future custody hearings, restraining orders, or criminal charges. In most cases, DCP&P looks for solutions that don't involve working with local law enforcement. Still, the possibility is always there, especially if they deem it necessary to protect the affected children from further harm.
DCP&P Cases and Reporting in Gloucester County
Gloucester County contains two DCP&P offices, in Sewell and West Deptford. Depending on where you live and which caseworkers investigate your report, one of these offices will oversee any DCP&P investigations into alleged abuse.
Gloucester County DCP&P primarily investigates two types of cases:
- Child neglect: Allegations of various failures on the part of parents or guardians to supply children with a safe and secure upbringing. This can include inadequate nutrition, shelter, medical care, clothing, or anything else causing an unsafe living environment.
- Child Abuse: Allegations of sexual, physical, or emotional harm or abuse to underaged children caused by a parent, guardian, or trusted adult.
New Jersey and Gloucester County take allegations of abuse and neglect seriously, and they expect members of the community to also treat it with the seriousness they deserve. Anyone who suspects a child is facing abuse, or neglect is legally required to make a report to DCP&P. Otherwise, they may be charged with a disorderly persons offense. If you suspect abuse or neglect and intend to make a report, the Lento Law Firm can assist you during the process and help you figure out your next steps.
How Do DCP&P Investigations Start in Gloucester County?
DCP&P starts investigations once they receive a report through a public reporting system, such as the NJ Abuse Hotline. If someone makes a credible report against you, caseworkers will go to your home to investigate further. They will speak to you, the children, and anyone else in the house who may be aware of ongoing abuse or neglect.
While you can theoretically refuse entry and disallow them to speak to your child, DCP&P caseworkers can seek a court order from a judge. In addition, caseworkers will continue to seek information from other sources, such as teachers, doctors, neighbors, relatives, and other adults who know the child.
Once an investigation starts, it won't drag on forever. DCP&P investigations must end within 60 days, after which they will send you a letter detailing their findings. If they believe the evidence substantiates the allegations of abuse or neglect, they may decide to begin court proceedings.
Those making reports to DCP&P can stay anonymous throughout the process. If you report someone, they will not learn your identity, and DCP&P investigators may not even know if you don't disclose contact information during your initial report.
Gloucester County DCP&P Court Process
If you are involved in a DCP&P case in Gloucester County, you may end up in court proceedings. Generally, the steps in New Jersey will include:
- Order to Show Cause: An Order to Show Cause is a court order that sets forth DCP&P's allegations, supported by affidavits and evidence.
- Preliminary Hearing: Judges determine whether adequate grounds exist to proceed with the case based on the presented Order to Show Cause.
- Fact-Finding Hearing: DCP&P and the accused can both present evidence to defend their positions and convince the court to act in their favor.
- Dispositional Hearing: Following the fact-finding phase, if the judge rules that abuse or neglect occurred based on evidence, they will schedule a dispositional hearing. The court will decide where the child lives and order necessary interventions for the accused.
- Review Hearings: The Court assesses the progress of interventions or treatments ordered during the dispositional hearing through periodic reviews.
- Permanency Hearing: If the case remains unresolved after a year, a permanency hearing is scheduled to formulate a permanent resolution for the child's situation. The accused also has an opportunity to propose their own alternative plan at this time.
DCP&P can elect to make an administrative decision instead of using this court process. In either case, the Lento Law Firm can help those accused to secure the best possible outcome and appeal the decision if needed.
The Lento Law Firm Can Help Gloucester County Residents
The Lento Law Firm understands how devastating it can be to deal with allegations of abuse or neglect against your beloved child. Along with the risk of custody loss, the ever-present stress is too much to handle alone. If you are under investigation by DCP&P in Gloucester County, our Family Law Team can help before a permanent wedge is driven between you and your child. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online consultation form to get started.