A DYFS investigation begins
In New Jersey, our child protection service is called the Division of Youth and Family Services, or DYFS for short. The primary role of DYFS in New Jersey is to protect New Jersey children from child abuse or neglect. It is important to protect our children from child abuse and neglect. In some cases, DYFS actually protects children from child abuse or neglect. DYFS researches families based on the receipt of anonymous suggestions, which are called referrals. The referrals they receive could be well-intentioned advice on suspected child abuse or neglect or they could be false allegations of child abuse and neglect by a person holding a grudge against the alleged parents. DYFS is required by law to investigate all referrals it receives. It can be frustrating as a parent if you are being investigated and you know the allegations are false.
In most cases, you may not immediately know that you are being investigated for child abuse or neglect by DYFS until they come to your door and ask you to come in. If this occurs, you should respectfully ask for the DYFS social worker card and inform them that you are not ready to speak with them at this time and ask them to return again. You are not required to let them in at this time.
Next, I recommend that you hire a family law attorney who is experienced in DYFS cases and also has a track record of winning your cases. Inform them of the visit by social workers from the Division of Youth and Family Services. Your attorney will ask for the name and phone number of the DYFS social worker who was assigned to your case. Once he or she is hired, they will contact the DYFS social worker and advise that they now represent you as legal advice regarding this DYFS matter, and that they should contact the attorney for anything they need with regarding the case.
The sooner you get representation in a DYFS case, the more chance you have that case n will not drag on for a long time like many DYFS cases do.
You should contact your child’s school as soon as possible. As uncomfortable as the conversation you have with your child’s school administration about the appearance of DYFS in your home may be. You should feel comforted or at least feel in a place of power. Here’s why; One of the next places DYFS is likely to appear is your child’s school. They can interview your child, teachers, and administration about possible signs of child abuse or neglect.
After the initial investigation occurs, DYFS will send you or your attorney a letter showing the findings of its investigation. The letter will inform you and your attorney if the allegations of child abuse or neglect are:
Unfounded – This means that there was no evidence of the charges against you. Should this happen, the charges against you are dismissed as is the case. Also, your name is not included in the DYFS Central Registry.
Unfounded: In the event that you and your attorney receive a letter stating that your case is unsubstantiated or unfounded, it indicates that there may be child abuse or neglect factors in your case, however, there is no adequate evidence for that DYFS get a court order. . This is just another way of saying, they suspect you, but they can’t prove anything. Also, your name is not included in the DYFS Central Registry.
Reasoned: In the event that you and your attorney receive a letter stating that your case has been substantiated or substantiated, it means that once DFYS’s investigation is completed, you have some evidence that you believe there is child abuse or neglect. This does not mean that child abuse or neglect has occurred; however, DYFS believes that it has sufficient evidence to suggest that it has occurred. If you or your attorney receive a justification letter against you. You and your attorney have 20 days to file an administrative review in court. If you do not file an appeal for administrative review with the courts within this time period, DYFS will enter your name in its Central Registry along with the child molesters and perverts.