Minnesota Child Protective Services
Divorce and Child Custody Attorney in Minnesota
In 2008, it was reported that approximately 5,400 children were abused and neglected in Minnesota. These are children who are more likely to have poor academic performance, engage in criminal behavior, and have the potential to abuse and neglect their own children in the future. The Minnesota Department of Human Services works closely with all 87 counties and the 11 American Indian Tribes in order to protect children. Any legal issue involving Child Protective
When a case of child abuse or neglect is reported, Social Services in Minnesota is required to conduct an investigation within 24 - 72 hours to investigate the situation and determine if maltreatment, abuse or neglect occurred or is ongoing. If it is found that maltreatment occurred, then protective services may be needed. These are the steps that Child Protective Services in Minnesota follows:
- Information is collected to determine if abuse or neglect happened and if services are needed for the child.
- Inform all parties involved
- Provide services to the child
Information Collection in Cases of Accusations of Abuse, Neglect or Maltreatment
The collection of information by Minnesota Child Protective Services involves working with the police department or sheriff's office. If the harm was caused by a guardian, services will be provided. Interviews may also be conducted to determine if the abuse actually occurred. These interviews occur with the child, the accused, others who take care of the child, and anyone who may know of the abuse.
Those interviews will be told verbally or in writing why the information is requested, how it is used, that they do have the right to refuse to answer questions, the consequences if questions are not answered, what other agencies have access to the information, and their rights to acquire that information.
The information that is collected includes:
- Age, gender, and development of the children
- Prior reports of abuse or neglect
- Who reported the abuse or neglect and information on the person accused of the acts
- Facts surrounding the maltreatment
The child may need to have a medical examination, previous medical records may be retrieved, health professionals may be interviewed, and other facts will be gathered.
Informing All Parties Involved
All parties involved in the case must be informed within 10 days of the completed assessment investigation of whether or not the child has been maltreated and if social services are needed. Also included are the reasons for all decisions, what rights they have, and what information they can retrieve in regards to the case.
The final part of the investigation is the determination of whether or not Minnesota Child Protective Services are needed. If they are needed, the Minnesota county in which the child lives in will provide the services and work toward the continued safety of the child. When the case is closed, other information regarding other services that can help the family will be provided.
When a child has been abused, criminal charges will be filed against that person for abusing the child. Child abusers are subject to lengthy prison sentences if convicted. In these cases, the child may never be placed in the custody of the abuser again if the abuser was a guardian. If you have a legal issue involving Child Protective Services, it is urgent that you contact an attorney from Heimerl & Lammers to discuss your situation and what can be done to protect your rights as a parent.
Contact a Minnesota family law attorney from our firm to discuss any legal issue involving Child Protective Services.