Are the chances good that Children's Services won't do much?

Question

My significant other's daughter has an abusive mother, his daughter who's nine actually went to the school nurse and counselor Monday to report some bruising and two different violent situations. The school called him and they both called Children's Services. They're in the middle of a custody battle, but a court date has not been set yet. What are the chances Children's Services won't do a lot, if they notify the mother, this will give her a chance to clean up and do things right etc...but we both firmly believe this will make the mother mad and will escalate causing more damange to her daughter.

Let me add on to this; he and I do not live together. She does know me and has made threats towards me and I have a No Trespassing Order on my property on this woman. Also, her dad has saved messages on his phone where his daughter has had to sneak away from her mother and sibilings just to call him, and he has the mother's last threat recorded that "he'll get his" because he broke off their relationship. We have pages and pages of documentation on her and this situation.

Answer 1

they will crawl up her ***......they like to do it....

Answer 2

What Children Services needs is evidence of the abuse. The child has bruises that equals evidence, if the child speaks up that equals more evidence.

The child may or may not be taken away, but a safety plan will be set in motion for the child. The parent who has been accused or even both may have to go through several services such as counseling, therapy, family therapy, drug tests, parent aide etc.... This will all be outlined in a caseplan.

The child will be monitored through an in home unit. This is where Child Services visits the child at home on a regular basis to ensure the safety of the child and to determine if the parent(s) is complying with services.

Then if the parent has proven that they have complied with services they will need to go back to court. Child Services will then report their progress to the Judge and the decision will be made in court if the in-home unit should be removed.

If the child is removed because of the bruises the process remains the same, but then you will have to set up visitation in a neutral place to see the child.

Usually there is 72 hours to the next court hearing if Child Services gets involves. If the child is removed you will be given a Temporary Custody Notice which expires in 72 hours.
Good luck!

ps. Child Services cannot get involved with every single family if there is no evidence of abuse. They cannot be proactive because if Child Services becomes proactive can you imagine all the complaints that would come in. People would say that Child Services is impeding on peoples Civil Rights and Privacy.

Child Services is in a lose lose situation. They get complaints for taking away the child and they get complaints for not taking away the child. I suggest parents need to wake up and stop abusing and accusing.

Answer 3

I use to work for family service. You just need to stick to your guns and keep a good constant relationship with them. You have the right to call family services every single time there is a problem.

The mother may be aware they are coming but they will also follow up later when she does not expect it. Good news is the school is involved which will help your husbands case at court. Hang in there good will come out of it in the end. Stay on top of it every day and don't be afraid to report to the family services.

I highly recommend you get the little girl in counseling so everything will be on record to help your case. The girl may even tell the counselor things she may not tell you. You need to fight for the little girls happiness Who cares if the mother gets mad. She is already an angry person that needs some serious help. Now that the family services is involved she is forced to be on her best behavior. Make sure you both document everything in writing. Every decision you make make sure it is in the best interest of the child then you shouldn't have any problem with your custody case.

Answer 4

You did the right thing. Children's services will investigate the situation. The bruises are documented and you can't hide that. Hope that the mother gets help because even if she is abusive I am sure the little girl loves her mom. Your husband and you could petition the court and ask for emergency immediate custody. You'll probably get it if everything you said is true. Then pray for the mother. she obviously needs help.

Answer 5

Honey, don't get involved, one way or the other. I know you might love your bf and everything, but this story isn't new and won't go old here. More than likely, or more times than none, sometimes, Children's Services do their jobs and it is a roll of the dice when it comes to a good social worker or a bad social worker, but either way, there will be social workers and the custody battle will be dirty. If you are a strong woman, you can make it through this but it will be trying. I pray all goes well for all involved. God Bless.

Answer 6

Unfortunately you're right. Unless they have clear evidence that she is being abused she won't be removed from the home. If she is removed there's a very strong chance that she will be returned after her mother has gone through counseling. To make matters worse her mother's lawyer will try to say that the girl was coerced into lying because of the custody battle.your boyfriend needs to do everything possible to protect his child.

Answer 7

If you and the father are worried about this child's well-being once the mother finds out she's been reported then take everything you have to the police and social services. I'm pretty sure her father could get a protection order against the mother on her behalf.

Answer 8

Lord i feel so sorry for that child, my oldest son is dealing with a similar situation, and is just about ready to sign over his rights to his 21/2 year old daughter, just so he don't have to deal with the #@%#@, but the child will be the one to suffer, You have to be willing to testify in court against the mother, and have proof in black and white, here-say will get you no where in a court of law. Every time , and i do mean every time something happens, get the cops involved, take her the emergency room, the doctor, whatever it takes, make a paper trail, that way when your in court, you can show the judge dates, times incidents. stand up for this child, her life could depend on it!

Answer 9

Some of the time they will give custody to the father until the mom cleans up her act. The mother may want shared custody. But lets hope that doesn't happen.

Good luck , Jennie.

Answer 10

here in arkansas, children's services jump on every little report of abuse, whether or not documented. tons of people lose their children here. TONS!!!!! i've never had to battle them, thank God. but it IS a battle.

bottom line is it's the adults responsibility to protect the children, no matter what. children can not defend themselves. it is your duty and obligation.

whatever happens will be the result of the mother's actions and not your fault. too bad if she gets mad. so what? there's a child's life at stake here. please get your priorities straight before the child is killed.

Answer 11

Keep that documentation. Give copies to his lawyer. I'm sure no judge would ignore all of that. Children's Services has social workers who will explain their role to you; in particular how the child will be monitored. Keep collecting information.