In the Matter of JC and CA, FH# 2017-0171

Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support the 51A decision for neglect against the Appellants (biological mother and biological father). When the child ("B") was 21 days old, the Appellants brought B to his pediatrician for a well-child visit. The Appellants self-reported that they had observed that B had bruised on his body, which were documented by the doctor. The doctor referred B for more testing, but after a forensic exam, the child abuse expert was unable to determine if the injuries to B were inflicted. During the investigation, the Appellants signed an emergency service plan with provisions for B's safety, and the Appellants' compliance with these previsions were inconsistent. The Department found that, while visiting the Appellant's residence, the smoke detector had been disabled by CA and that there was no safe sleeping place for the child, B. When response workers returned two weeks later, the smoke detector was still not functional and there was still no sleeping space for B. DCF found that the Appellants did not take actions necessary to provide the child with minimally adequate supervision and other essential care.