In the Matter of JB, FH# 2017-0169

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support the 51A decision for both sexual abuse and neglect against the Appellant (biological father). The Appellant, who is divorced from his children's mother, arrived to the area to visit his children, aged 9 and 12, for the holidays in December. The Appellant stayed at a motel and his two children, who live full-time with their mother, stayed for two nights. During this time, the Appellant pushed one of his children into the pool while she was fully clothed; slapped the children; called the children names; did not allow the children to sleep, keeping them up until 3:30 am; touched the children's' breasts and vaginal area while they were in the shower; told the children he was going to kill the mother's boyfriend, and threatened to break one of his child's legs. During the stay, the children reported that the Appellant was intoxicated and the children repeatedly called their mother, who had to go to the motel and get them on multiple occasions during the Appellant's stay. The Department relied on the children's statements when making its decision to support allegations of sexual abuse and neglect. The Department found the children to be credible reporters and no evidence was presented to suggest that the children had been coached or were motivated to make false accusations.