In the Matter of NM, FH# 2017-1353

Reversed - DCF did not have reasonable cause to support a finding of abuse because 1) the reporter interpreted the child's unclear speech as an allegation but the Appellant's child did not provide that information to the DCF response worker and the pediatrician disputed that the child's speech was even at the level to communicate that 2) the child corroborated the Appellant's account of events that the child fell and hit his keyboard 3) although the child abuse doctor had opined that the marks could be consistent with the child's allegation, they only viewed poor quality photos and did not engage the child in conversation 4) the Appellant was consistent in her story and the hearing officer found her credible