a) DEFINITION | b) TAKING A REPORT | c) INVESTIGATING A REPORT
a) DEFINITION |
Abandonment
Abandonment is parental conduct that demonstrates the purpose of relinquishing all parental rights and claims to the child. Abandonment is also defined as any parental or caregiver conduct which evinces a settled purpose to forego all parental duties and relinquish all parental claims to the child.
Desertion
Desertion is any conduct on the part of a parent, which indicates that they have no intention, now or in the future, to maintain any degree of interest, concern or responsibility for the child. Desertion includes leaving a child with no apparent intention to return, unless the child has been left in the care of a relative.
Examples of abandonment/desertion include, but are not limited, to parents who:
· leave a baby on the doorstep;
· leave a baby in the garbage can;
· leave a child with no apparent intention to return; or
· leave a child with an appropriate caregiver but fail to resume care of the child, as agreed, and the caregiver cannot or will not continue to care for the child.
b) TAKING A REPORT |
1) Acceptable Reporter/Source
Any person who has reason to believe that a child was abandoned or deserted may be the reporter or source of the CA/N report.
2) Usage
The reporter/source has reason to believe that the child has been abandoned/deserted due to the parent, caregiver, or responsible person's disregard of his or her responsibilities. (NEGLECT)
c) INVESTIGATING A REPORT |
1) Documentation/Evidence Needed to Indicate
A) Documented evidence that a child has been abandoned/deserted.
B) Detailed explanatory statements of the victim, perpetrator, witnesses, any other person with knowledge of the situation has been obtained.
C) If police have conducted an investigation; the final police report must be obtained and documented. (If the police report is not available, a case note must be included indicating the report has been requested along with documentation of the verbal statements. The supervisor must review Police report when it is received to ensure findings do not conflict with previously documented information received verbally.
D) All other required contacts made, or documentation as to why they were not.
E) Waiver of any of the above must be given by the supervisor and documented on a SACWIS Case Note.
2) Requirements for Initial Investigation
A) Data check and Soundex of members of the family and other subjects regularly frequenting or living in the home.
B) Thoroughly read and review prior investigations.
C) Interview reporter, source and OPWI identified in the current report or related information.
D) In person, individual interview with alleged child victim(s), assessment of physical condition, and completion of CERAP.
E) In person or phone interview with law enforcement, if police have had contact on report. This contact is to help establish the need to move to the formal investigation phase.
F) Contact DCFS or private agency caseworker if a service case is currently open.
G) In person, individual interview with parents/caretakers. Parents should be contacted on the same day as contact with child victim(s) if at all possible. If CERAP is marked unsafe, parents must be interviewed immediately to ensure the child's safety, and the formal investigation must be commenced.
KK) Interview alleged perpetrator either in person or by phone.
LL) Notify Guardian ad Litem if alleged child victim is DCFS ward or ward of the court (e.g., a child home with a parent under an order of protection).
J) Waiver of any of the above contacts must be given by the supervisor and documented on a SACWIS Case Note.
3) Requirements for Proceeding to Formal Investigation
A) A formal investigation must be commenced if:
i) the CERAP is marked unsafe; or
ii) there is reasonable cause to suspect that the child victim has been abandoned or deserted due to caretaker's disregard of their responsibilities; and
iii) the alleged victim is under the age of 18.
4) Requirements for Formal Investigation
A) In person, individual interview with parents/caretakers. If CERAP is marked unsafe, parents must be interviewed immediately to ensure the child's safety.
B) In person, individual interview with alleged offender.
C) In person, individual interview with all other adults and verbal children of the victim's household. Non-verbal children must be observed.
D) In person, individual interview with all other adults and verbal children of the perpetrator's household. Non-verbal children must be observed.
E) Interview all identified witnesses who are reported to have knowledge of the incident.
F) If the family or the subjects identify two or more possible collateral contacts, at least two must be interviewed either by phone or in person.
G) Interview DCFS or private agency caseworker if service case is currently closed but has been open within the past two years.
H) Interview other community professionals who have first hand knowledge of the incident.
I) For children under the age of 12, interview school teacher or child care provider who has knowledge of the child and/or the level of care provided to the child.
J) Interview primary care physician or physician who has seen child in past 6 months if past history of maltreatment is alleged.
K) Interview child protective services in other states in which the family members have resided in the previous five years. If history of maltreatment is uncovered, attempts must be made to gather abuse/neglect history for an additional five years.
L) Waiver of any of the above contacts must be given by the supervisor and documented on a SACWIS Case Note.
5) Required Medical Information and/or Consultations
A) The worker must ensure that the child receives an immediate medical examination if evidence exists that the child is in need of urgent medical care.
B) Medical records of current treatment/diagnosis and relevant past treatment.
6) Law Enforcement/State's Attorney Involvement or Notification
A) Notification of law enforcement and the State's Attorney is mandatory if protective custody is taken.
7) Assessment of "Factors to Be Considered" to Support Case Finding
Not Applicable
8) Notification of Findings
A) Verbally notify the family of the recommended finding.
B) Verbally notify the mandated reporter of the recommended finding.
C) With parental consent, notify collateral contacts who were interviewed if the case is unfounded.
D) Notify the Guardian ad Litem of investigative findings if the victim is a DCFS ward or a ward of the court (e.g., a child home with a parent under an order of protection).
a) DEFINITION | b) TAKING A REPORT | c) INVESTIGATING A REPORT