Does having an open case in child abuse prohibit you from working in a child care center?

Question

I have had 2 reports filed against me from child abuse in day care centers. Both of the cases were unfounded, yet are still open roughly 6 months later. My boss called me today and claimed that the Police Dept. said that if I had an open case, I could not work at the center. My boss said that it was a woman behind a desk who looked like she had no clue what she was talking about. If it helps, my state is Florida. Am I truly prohibited from working in day care? In my mind, one was always innocent until proved guilty...

For those of you being helpful, thanks. As for the others, please keep your rude and snide remarks to yourself. I have a CDA, a degree working with children, and it is my career. I want to work with children because that is what i have been doing for years, not for 'another victim'.

Answer 1

I own a Preschool in Texas and have operated another in Nevada. In these states open reports without conclusions do not keep you from working. However if you are suspected of an abuse of a child you can be placed on leave until you are cleared. This is not a court thing were you are presumed innocent. This is protection of children and to err on the side of caution is better than to not take action. Let me also point out that no case should take more than 90 days to complete. If the worker has not cleared you she must close the case or place this action on your daycare's report. My daughter is a CPS worker for Texas and has also worked for Hawaii. You also have the right to have this record to esponged if it has been found that you were not found guilty. GOOD LUCK Also the rules that will apply to this are located on your Florida's Department of Family and Protective Services. You can Google it. It will have a link for rules that apply to child care

Answer 2

I guess you're in the UK and refering to Baby P? My personal view is a child wouldn't be a child without the odd bump on the head or scraped knee, thats what kids do. But for the injuries that these children have inflicted upon them it does make you wonder how anyone could have missed that, how can a GP miss broken ribs, cigarette burns, missing fingernails etc etc I foster children so I have a fair Idea of how the Social work system works, and to be honest they are pretty stretched. But thats no excuse and I do see their failings in the case of Baby P and Vitroia Climbe. The thing that really honestly horrifies me is if a social worker answers a report and are met with a violent parent, they do not have to gp back to that address in case they come to any harm. In that case they need a police escort I think GPs should hold the same rights as hospitals these days, To retain a child they believe is being abused until social services and the police can get there to assess the situation.

Answer 3

In Florida, even the allegation of child endangerment or abuse is sufficient cause to prohibit you from working in a child-care environment or position of authority around children.

Answer 4

I hope you are prohibited


I know its Innnocent until proven guilty but when it comes to kids ....no dice


Prove your innocent and then you can work with them


Why would there be 2 reports filed against yu at different daycare centers


makes me kinda nervous

Answer 5

I'm sorry for your plight, however, you must note that even if it's not illegal for you to work at a child care center, any potential employers will most likely not want hire somebody with pending child abuse cases.

Answer 6

The Florida Child Care Licensing Act requires that employees be of good character, as defined by Chapter 435, Level II. http://www.daycare.com/florida/statutes.html

Chapter 435, Level II, has a whole list of offenses that will disqualify someone; however, it specifies "have been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to" -- not merely been accused of. http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0435/SEC04.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0435->Section%2004#0435.04

I wouldn't hire you until you'd been found not guilty though.

Answer 7

Don't know but I sure hope it's true. When children are concerned it's guilty until proven innocent. They have to keep the children's welfare in mind.

Answer 8

why do you still want to work in daycare? looking for potential victims?

Answer 9

i would think so use common sense

Answer 10

You reap what you sow.