Home > Research Legal Advice > Child Custody > CPS refused to take report of suspected child abuse, 11 months later ch...
Asked 9 months ago - Akron, OH
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I am a non-custodial parent. I attempted to report abuse to DCFS hhotline, but was told "sir, this sounds like a custody issue, we can not help you. You need to contact an attorney" and the person hung-up on me...twice. 11 months later, a report was made by a panel of doctors to the same DCFS. Child was immediately removed and placed in emergency protective custody. Allegations were substantiated. I lost my job, house, everything in my pursuit to protect my child. I am now being treated for extreme emotional distress and PTSD relating to DCFS ruefusal to investigate or even take a report of abuse and dismissing me as a "disgruntled father who is simply unhappy with his parenting agreement"
Do I have a case against DCFS for ignoring my reports of abuse?
You should consult with a personal injury attorney in you jurisdiction who specializes in child abuse. Your case for PTSD is likely not a case an attorney would want to take on as those are difficult cases and you would need to have a formal diagnosis and need treatment in order to recover any damages on that claim. However, it sounds like your child may have a cause of action against the agency for failing to respond appropriately to your complaints. This would need significant investigation to prove, but if the agency failed to follow its own rules or their files indicate that they were negligent in some other way, it may prove to be a good case.
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