Facing allegations of child neglect and abuse are heartbreaking. As a parent, you want the best for your children, and the fear that comes along with such serious accusations can be overwhelming. You need an advocate to walk you through your options and ensure that your family remains intact and your reputation does not suffer.
Our Passion for Child Welfare
Susan Chesnutt has a unique experience, as she was taken away from her parents as a child and put into protective care through the Department of Children and Family Services in Florida. She has firsthand experience in the aftermath of these accusations and living what happens to children who are separated from their parents. It can be traumatic to be removed from the only home that you know and lose access to parents. Susan’s experience in the system has given her a passion for protecting children and protecting families.
How Can We Help With Child Welfare Legal Matters?
We are committed to protecting children and families, and we have a wealth of experience working in court and with the Department of Children and Family Services in Florida. Our family law and child welfare law cases include:
- Domestic violence
- DCF investigations
- Parenting plans
- Parental alienation
- Parental reunification
We are here to help when you are facing legal challenges and not sure where to turn.
What Happens During a DCF Investigation?
Whenever a call is made to report child abuse, neglect or abandonment, the call is forwarded to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which will investigate the allegations. If they decide that the charge has merit, the case will be assigned to a local child protective investigator.
If you are the subject of a DCF investigation, you should never take it lightly. DCF investigators do a very thorough job, and they will speak to family members, neighbors, teachers and other friends in their investigation. You should never lie to an investigator, but you should also remember that you have a right to legal representation. Over the course of the investigation, the DCF will decide whether or not abuse, abandonment or neglect has occurred and potentially remove the child from the home.
Protect Your Rights
We understand your rights as a parent, and we are here to help you protect them. During a DCF investigation and after your child has been removed from the home, you have a right to:
- Obtain legal representation
- Use your own equipment to take video or audio recordings of CPI interviews
- Refuse services and assistance offered by the investigator
- Request a copy of the investigation
- Present evidence
If you want to protect yourself and your family, call us today at 772-210-9236 for a consultation.