In the Matter of RB, FH# 2017-0131

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A decision for sexual abuse against the Appellant (biological father of children D and J). In an initial disclosure to a mandated reporter, D and J stated that they had played a game with the Appellant where all three of them took their clothes off and touched each other. In a second 51A report, the children did not make any such claims, and thee children never mentioned any sexual abuse by the Appellant to their grandparents, with whom they live full-time. There was a history of D and J's biological mother (the ex-wife of the Appellant) coaching the children to make abuse disclosures against the Appellant, all of which were unsupported. There is an ongoing probate conflict between the Appellant and his ex-wife. During the time period when the alleged abuse happened, except for small periods of time, other adults were present with the Appellant, D, and J.