In the Matter of JA, FH# 2017-0014

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A report for sexual abuse. The Appellant father allegedly sexually abused his child five years prior to the child’s disclosure, and subsequent report. The Appellant was a classified Level II Sex Offender. The mother, who made the report, did not express concerns when the child was with the Appellant, and the Appellant was granted visitation rights with the child. The Appellant’s adult daughter questioned the accuracy of the events that led to the Appellant being registered as a sex offender. The Hearing Officer found that the child’s disclosures were too vague and varied regarding the details and timeline of the alleged abuse. There were no witnesses to corroborate the child’s testimony, nor was there any independent and credible evidence.