In the Matter of HL, FH# 2017-1190

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 several of her children's missed medical appointments were due to doctor cancellations at no fault of her own. In addition, Appellant attending only three in-home therapy sessions over a seven-week period did not support a finding of neglect because the therapy sessions were not required by the Department. Appellant's actions/inactions did not place the children in danger or posed a substantial risk to their safety or well-being.