"Verified Findings" in Suspected Abuse Cases
Recently, several states, including Illinois, Georgia, and Florida, have explored or passed legislation aimed at ending wrongful family separations due to injuries misdiagnosed as child abuse. Opponents of the changes argue this exposes children to a greater risk of abuse and may make child welfare advocates unable to remove children from abusive situations or cause red flags to be overlooked. Proponents contend that the existing systems meant that even once a parent is cleared, the fact that they had "verified findings" or suspected abuse through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) stays on the DCF abuse registry with no method for appeal or expungement, which could cause issues down the line.
This panel will discuss the current state of “verified findings” in abuse proceedings through DCF, what changes are happening, and the advantages and dangers of those movements.
Featuring:
- Candice Brower, Regional Counsel, Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, First District, Florida
- Darice Good, Owner/Attorney at Good Legal Firm, LLC
- Michelle Weidner, Executive Director, Family Justice Resource Center
- (Moderator) Tim Keller, Senior Vice President and Legal Director, The Center for the Rights of Abused Children
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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.
