In the Matter of JP, FH# 2017-0142

Affirmed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A report for neglect against the Appellant (biological father). The Appellant had gotten into an argument that led to a physical altercation with his wife, the child's mother, while the child, J, was sleeping in another room. The Appellant pushed his wife's head into the sofa while he attempted to take his phone back from her, causing her to hyperventilate. As a result, the police were called and the Appellant was arrested. The evidence indicated that this was an isolated incident, that the child, J, was not witness to the dispute, and that there was no indication J had been negatively impacted by the reported event. The evidence was insufficient to suggest that the Appellant failed to provide minimally adequate care for J.