What recourse is available for false child neglect claim in Georgia?

Question

I called Licensing on a day care provider due to a provider leaving home and leaving a strange man with my children. I removed my kids that day from her care. Two weeks later there was a claim filed that I did not feed my children and did not bath them. No truth in it at all! Case manager came out and said that she understand that this is a false claim and will close the file after viewing my home and my children. I am so angry that someone did this to me and the fact that I have a file opened with DCFS for this makes me irate! I am a very good mother and the fact that someone leaves my children with a stranger and I call licensing regarding that should not mean that I should have a child neglect claim against me! What recourse do I have against this woman???? Please help. She can't get away with this and I feel for anyone else that places their child in her care and pisses her off! DFCS will be at their door too!

Answer 1

I have had a similar thing occur - yes, you have a right to be irate. Yes, it is maddening and, yes, it is an embarrassing slap in the face. However, look at it this way. Even suspected false claims are being followed-up on carefully, which means that your Child Protective Services department is doing its level best not to let anything slip through the cracks. We all know that it is when a department is not thorough or conscientious enough that children or harmed or even die. Turn your dismay into a positive with this one and let it go. And, find another daycare - they're nuts. (Easier said that done, I know.) Good luck!

Answer 2

I feel for you. Even when DCF closes a case, they still keep you on file to look for "patterns." You will have to walk on tip-toes until your youngest child turns 18. I know; I had a case closed, but almost four years later they came and took one of my kids because of a silly false accusation that wouldn't have been substantiated if they hadn't had a former "closed case" on me.

However, don't worry too much. My false charge did get dropped after a couple of months. Some of the social workers are actually human and will end up letting the trivial things go.

Answer 3

Sorry there is virtually nothing you can do. People are protected when they call DFCS -the belief is that then more people will report when they know a child is be abused. Unfortunately sometimes someone uses this as a revenge thing - at least they checked your house and kids and its a closed case now.
You were right to report her for leaving your children with someone you dont know. They should always have people working with your childrent that you know.

Answer 4

the child welfare system is about children, not adults--the purpose is to provide a means for intervention when children are abused or neglected. so if some adults are subject to reports of abuse that turn out to be false, that just means the system is working properly.

Answer 5

You were right to report her for leaving your children with a complete stranger, and she should lose her job for neglect, however all you can do now is put it down to experience. Good Luck!