When a CPSW, police officer, or physician has taken a child into temporary protective custody, the supervisor responsible for child protection services must approve any decision to allow the protective custody to lapse. Lapsing the temporary protective custody means that you have decided to allow the child to return to their parents, custodian or responsible relative and not to pursue a Juvenile Court hearing. All temporary protective custodies that are lapsed must first meet the criterion for Rule Outs in the Protocol for Protective Custody Response.
NOTE: If there are any changes in the living arrangement, the CPSW must conduct another Safety Assessment. At the conclusion of the investigation, the CPSW must conduct a Safety Assessment prior to making the final finding.
Protective custody should be allowed to lapse only after the CPSW has completed a Risk Assessment Protocol and CERAP (CFS 1441), , and have determined, with supervisory approval, that there is not sufficient risk to the child to justify continued protective custody.
If during the course of the investigation the criteria has been met to lapse a temporary protective custody, and new information concerning the safety of the child comes to light, the CPSW after consultation with their supervisor (MSW or other related Mental Health professional) may take temporary protective custody based on the newly obtained evidence.
NOTE: All PCs that are Lapsed must first meet the criterion for Rule Outs in taking Protective Custody.