In the Matter of BQ, FH# 2017-0139

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A report for neglect against the Appellant (direct care staff member at the IFC home where the child was previously temporarily placed). The Appellant did not fail to provide the child ("A") with minimally adequate supervision or care by continuing her contact with the child after the child left the intensive foster care program where the Appellant was employed. In 2015, the Appellant was driving with the child when A got out of the car and got into a physical altercation with another teenager. The Appellant immediately broke up the altercation, drove A back to her grandmother's house (A's primary caregiver), and discussed the incident with the A's school safety officer. These actions, along with the Appellant's history of care for the child and assisting the child's family whenever she could, demonstrated how the Appellant was not neglectful and clearly cared about A's well-being.