Mental health issues - caretaker

Enter the word(s) you are searching for; use quotes for exact phrase
Displaying 1 - 50 of 73
View by Library Type
Sort by

In the Matter of RE, FH# 20191073

Carmen Colon
Reversed - DCF did not have sufficient evidence to support a neglect finding where 1) Appellant mother placed her own safety at risk while in an acute state of distress after purposefully leaving the school so her children wouldn't see her upset; 2) the child's other parent responded to care for the…

In the Matter of MB, FH# 20190610

Nicholas Holahan
Reversed - DCF did not have sufficient evidence to support a finding of neglect by Appellant father when 1) Appellant, who had a drinking problem in the past, no longer drank and child hadn't seen Appellant drink in over a year; and 2) Appellant left child with grandparents while Appellant went to…

In the Matter of AD, FH# 20191167

Sophia Cho
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support allegations of neglect where (1) Appellant mother was found not guilty of assault and battery on a household member charge; (2) there was conflicting/insufficient evidence to support that Appellant assaulted her child's father while he was…

In the Matter of JC, FH# 20191564

Laureen Decas
Affirmed - DCF did have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect by Appellant father as a result of Appellant's extensive police interactions regarding substance use in the three months prior to the report, as Appellant was failing to adequately protect the child's well-being.

In the Matter of RH, FH# 20191276

Jorge F. Ferreira
Reversed - DCF did not have sufficient evidence to support a finding of neglect by Appellant father when 1) Appellant provided substantial evidence to prove the children's mother had fabricated similar allegations in the past to regain legal and physical custody of them; 2) the children were…

In the Matter of CH, FH# 20191534

Anastasia King
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect by Appellant father as a result of mother's mental health issues and substance use, as Appellant did not care for the child while intoxicated, was approved for temporary custody by the Probate Court, and found alternate…

In the Matter of EC, FH# 20190970

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Reversed - DCF did not have sufficient evidence to support a finding of neglect by Appellant father when 1) the decision to support was made largely relying on statements from Appellant's ex-wife (and child's mother) and her therapist; 2) there is an ongoing case in Family and Probate Court, which…

In the Matter of NK, FH# 20191059

Lisa Anne Henshall
Reversed - DCF did not have sufficient evidence to support a finding of neglect against Appellant mother after father reported Appellant for domestic violence when 1) the evidence is conflicting and unclear; 2) Appellant alleges she was the victim of domestic violence, not the perpetrator; 3) the…

In the Matter of EJ, FH# 20190886

David Halloran
Reversed - DCF did not have sufficient evidence to support a finding of neglect by Appellant mother after a suicide attempt during which two of her children intervened and called 911. While the incident was upsetting for the children, DCF did not have evidence to suggest that Appellant had failed to…

In the Matter of AS & PS, FH# 2017-1387

Carmen Temme
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect. The evidence was sufficient to determine that the Appellant parent's actions resulted in failure to provide minimally adequate medical care. However, DCF did not show that the Appellants posed a substantial risk to the…

In the Matter of MW, FH# 2018-0274

Laureen Decas
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support allegations of neglect where Appellant and father failed to provide adequate emotional support and safety when the children were exposed to verbal altercations between Appellant and stepmother. As a result, child suffered from emotional development…

In the Matter of JC, FH# 2018-0427

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support an allegation of neglect where: (1) the Appellant Mother exposed the child to a lengthy and hostile argument; (2) the child was not provided with adequate stability and growth; (3) the Appellant Mother infrequently participated in drug treatment; and…

In the Matter of KB, FH# 2018-0473

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable basis for closing the case and terminating services for the young adult Appellant with prior notice according to policies when the young adult was not complying with the rules set forth by the policies, including (1) a commitment to educational programs, (2) attending…

In the Matter of K-W.J., FH# 2018-0033

Linda A. Horvath
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to terminate services when the Appellant was found not to have submitted 51A reports that allegedly supported continuation of services for his child in the mother’s home.

In the Matter of JS, FH# 2018-0018

Laureen Decas
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to find neglect when (1) a 9-year-old child witnessed physical violence between their parents; (2) the Appellant Father had a history of anger and grief-related issues; (3) the Appellant Father had been physically violent towards the child; and (4) both parents…

In the Matter of DM, FH# 2017-0110

Lisa Anne Henshall
Reversed - DCF did not have a reasonable basis for its decision to change child's goal from reunification to adoption. DCF's concerns about Appellant's ability to soothe the child and Appellant's desire to maintain a relationship with the child's mother were deemed insufficient to warrant a goal…

In the Matter of GC, FH# 2017-0291

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A report for neglect where the Department was unable to demonstrate that the Appellant posed danger to the child and/or substantial risk to the child's safety or well-being. There was a lack of clarity regarding the Appellant's history…

In the Matter of DC & JN , FH# 2017-1184

Linda A. Horvath
Reversed - DCF did not have a reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because the Reporter later retracted his/her initial report of issues with Appellants - mother and father's home. There was also no evidence that the Appellant - mother's mental health issues or marijuana use interfered…

In the Matter of WB, FH# 2017-0261

Linda A. Horvath
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the allegation of neglect against the Appellant where the Department relied entirely on DCF's history with the Appellant's other three children in its decision to support a finding of neglect. While the Appellant had struggled with mental…

In the Matter of MS, FH# 2017-1241

Carmen Temme
Affirmed in part and reversed in part - DCF had reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect but not sexual abuse. The Department had a history of involvement with both the Appellant father and the child's mother, both of whom had been cited for domestic violence. However, in this particular…

In the Matter of LB & MW, FH# 2017-1390

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect. DCF did not adequately show that the Appellant mother, who had a history of mental health problems, failed to fulfill the children's basic needs including: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. As such the department…

In the Matter of DG, FH# 2018-0211

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to believe that the child had been neglected where the Appellant had a history of prostitution and substance use, displayed risky and impulsive behaviors, and expressed no desire to care for the children. In addition, Appellant left her children in the care of a…

In the Matter of DG, FH# 2018-0211

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Affirmed - The fair hearing officer found reasonable cause to support The Department’s inding of neglect where the mother displayed alcohol abuse, a history of prostitution, risky and impulsive behaviors, expressing no desire to care for the children, leaving them unattended in the care of roommate…

In the Matter of JR, FH# 2017-0205

Carmen Temme
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support allegations of neglect where there was no risk to the children’s safety nor were the children put in immediate danger. Appellant Father, while unable to personally provide adequate care due to intoxication, ensured the safety of the children by…

In the Matter of MF & VM, FH# 2017-1329

Jorge F. Ferreira
Affirmed - The Department's had reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because 1) there was sufficient evidence an emotional impact on the children of fear of Appellants physically disciplining them 2) the Appellants minimized sexual abuse of a child 3) the Appellants had poor judgement…

In the Matter of RT, FH# 2017-1356

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because (1) there was a lack of credible evidence as to the child's location during the parents' physical altercation (2) the hearing officer was unable to conclude if the Appellant's actions of engaging in a physical…

In the Matter of DF, FH# 2017-0692

Lisa Anne Henshall
Reversed - DCF did not have a reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because there was insufficient evidence that Appellant mother's marijuana use during pregnancy placed her newborn child in danger and posed a substantial risk to the child's safety and well-being. While there was evidence…

In the Matter of NB, FH# 2017-0960

Linda A. Horvath
Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because the children (aged 8 and 11) reported witnessing physical confrontations between Appellant father and their mother. Appellant had stopped taking psychiatric medications and was criminally charged for assault of the…

In the Matter of AOG, FH# 2017-1347

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect. DCF originally determined that the Appellant mother was suffering from post-partum depression in 2006 and had expressed a potential urge to harm her child. However, at the time of the hearing there was no evidence that the…

In the Matter of WL & CL, FH# 2017-0245

Maura E. Bradford
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a 51A report of neglect and physical abuse when the child disclosed physical abuse arising from play-fighting, her Appellant Father’s alcohol use, and the question of her Appellant Mother’s mental health; the disclosures lacked corroboration…

In the Matter of CD, FH# 2018-0156

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable basis for closing Appellant’s case and terminating Appellant’s ex-wife’s services when (1) Appellant expressed concerns about his ex-wife’s mental health; (2) Appellant’s ex-wife was stable at the time of the decision; (3) Appellant’s ex-wife engaged in treatment; and…

In the Matter of CT, FH# 2018-0346

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support an allegation of neglect where: (1) the child ran away from the home and the Appellant Grandmother did not make substantial attempts to locate the child; (2) the child was off her medication due to the neglect of the Appellant Grandmother; and (3) the…

In the Matter of ST & RJ, FH# 2017-0029

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support allegations of neglect against Appellant Parents where the decision was based on Appellant Mother’s history of mental health diagnoses and Appellant Father and wife’s previous out of state child services case histories. It was determined that…

In the Matter of VC & SD, FH# 2017-0536

Carmen Colon
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to deny the Appellants' foster parent application where 1) the Appellants were unable to provide the Department all of the necessary documentation to complete the foster parent application in a timely manner and where 2) the individual serving as the medical…

In the Matter of MS, FH# 2017-0127

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A decision for physical abuse against the Appellant (biological mother). Though the older child, D, told her school counselor that the Appellant had punched her in the head and hit her in the knee, these injuries were found to have been…

In the Matter of JR, FH# 2017-1194

Anna L. Joseph
Reversed - DCF did not have a reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because accusations against Appellant father were not credible or supported by any evidence. Appellant's estranged spouse, who had a history of substance abuse and mental health issues, called the police and claimed that…

In the Matter of SK, FH# 2017-1199

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Affirmed - DCF had a reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because Appellant mother made excessive and inappropriate contact with her child's peers in an effort to control her child's relationships. Appellant also encouraged an inappropriate sexual relationship with her child and an…

In the Matter of HL, FH# 2017-1190

Anne L. Dale Nialetz
Reversed - DCF did not have a reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect because Appellant provided two sworn statements from her friends that she did not leave her children unsupervised while she was being baptized in the ocean during a Church event. Appellant also provided evidence that…

In the Matter of KB, FH# 2017-0582

Carmen Temme
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of physical abuse 1) Appellant mother pushed the child after frustration that her refused to help pack and move to a new home and the two small marks that resulted didn't cause or create a substantial risk of physical injury 2) It…

In the Matter of TH and LC, FH# 2017-0309

Linda A. Horvath
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support allegations of neglect by the Appellant Grandparents, the child’s guardians, where (1) the mother has just been kicked out of grandparents’ home a few days before filing the report, (2) her accusations of drug use and sales by the grandparents…

In the Matter of TH and LC, FH# 2017-0309

Linda A. Horvath
Reversed - Hearing Officer affirmed that the Department had no reasonable cause to believe a complaint from the child’s mother, stating that the child’s grandparents and guardians neglected the child. The original decision was unsupported because (1) the mother has just been kicked out of…

In the Matter of CM, FH# 2017-0228

Jorge F. Ferreira
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support a finding of neglect where the Appellant Mother failed to provide minimally adequate care to her two children by Appellant Mother's: (1) failure to maintain a clean home; (2) refusal to use recommended resources to address her mental health issues; (3)…

In the Matter of GI, FH# 2017-0137

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support the 51A decision for neglect against the Appellant (maternal grandmother and guardian of the child "N"). A Probate and Family Court Order from June 24, 2014 ordered the Appellant to continue to serve as the guardian of N due to a history of substance…

In the Matter of KC, FH# 2017-0160

Carmen Colon
Affirmed in part and reversed in part - DCF had reasonable cause to affirm a 51A report alleging the neglect of one child, and did not have reasonable cause to support 51A reports of neglect against the other three children.

In the Matter of HW and DW, FH# 2017-0214

Anna L. Joseph
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to revoke Appellant Foster Parents’ license and remove children from their pre-adoptive kinship home where: (1) Appellant Foster Parents appear to be sabotaging relationship between children and birth parents by having children call them “mommy and daddy” against…

In the Matter of RG and PG, FH# 2017-0093

Frances I. Wheat, MPA
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to support a 51A report of neglect where there was a domestic dispute between Appellants, mother and stepfather, during which the Appellant Stepfather was intoxicated, and following the dispute the Appellant Mother went to the hospital for self-inflicted injuries.…

In the Matter of K-W.J., FH# 2018-0033

Linda A. Horvath
Affirmed - Hearing Officer supported the Department’s decision to terminate services where appellant’s evidence for service continuation was based in 51A reports that the Department had not received. Appellant claimed to have filed the reports in response to neglect of his daughter by the child’s…

In the Matter of SA, FH# 2017-0172

Carmen Temme
Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support the 51A decision for sexual abuse against the Appellant (the boyfriend of the biological mother of children F, S, and T). There was insufficient evidence to support allegations that the Appellant had taken his clothes off in front of the three…

In the Matter of JR, FH# 2017-0004

Laureen Decas
Affirmed - The Department found neglect in a home where an appellant mother displayed a pattern of violence and poor decision-making where: (1) appellant mother sent texts to the father of the child threatening to suffocate the child; (2) appellant mother and father had a history of arrests for…

In the Matter of JR, FH# 2017-0004

Laureen Decas
Affirmed - DCF had reasonable cause to find neglect in a home where an Appellant Mother displayed a pattern of violence and where: (1) Appellant Mother sent texts to the father of the child threatening to suffocate the child; (2) Appellant Mother and father had a history of arrests for assaulting…