In the Matter of BA, FH# 2018-1216

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support neglect and sexual abuse where 1) DCF relied on inconsistent statements by a child who was angry with Appellant, who was a staff member at a program the child attended, and 2) the entire record was not considered during the investigation. In taking the child's disclosures as fact, DCF failed to recognize the child's past trauma and tendency to exaggerate or lie, demonstrated by prior unfounded allegations against another individual. Child's mother wrote a letter of support for Appellant to the program in which he works. No independent evidence other than the child's statements was sufficient to corroborate the allegations against Appellant. Because the support of neglect and sexual abuse was reversed, DCF's decision to place Appellant's name on the Registry of Alleged Perpetrators is also reversed.