Protecting children from harm should be our highest priority.

Do you have knowledge of child abuse, abandonment or child neglect?  Whether you are a parent, grandparent, relative, friend or neighbor, you can take legal action to stop or prevent child abuse and child neglect.

Does a child have to be abused before I can do anything?

You do not have to wait until a child has been a victim of child abuse or neglect.   There may be valid reasons to be concerned for the safety and well-being of a child, such as:

• A parent or other person in the home who suffers from mental illness
• A parent or other person in the home who abuses or is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol
• Domestic violence occurring in the home
• Poor health and hygiene of a child
• Irregular school attendance of a child
• Lack of housing and means to care for a child
• Lack of medical care for a child
• Unexplained marks, bruises or other injuries to a child
• Acting out behavior or isolation by a child
• Emotional stress exhibited by a child or parent
• Abuse and neglect of animals by a parent or other person in the home

These and other circumstances may be signs that a child has been abused or neglected, or that a child is at imminent danger of illness or injury.  The time is now to take a closer look, and it may be time to take legal action.

Can I go to Court and take to legal action to protect children from abuse or neglect?

There are many legal actions you can take to protect children, including filing a petition in court seeking orders to:

• remove a child from parents
• restrict access to a child
• place a child in the legal custody of a relative
• share custody of a child with a parent
• require a parent to complete substance abuse treatment
• terminate parental rights
• adopt a child

How do I know the best legal action to take?

Legal representation in Florida Child Protection Services cases is essential.  The safety and well-being of a child should not be left to guesswork. The assistance of an attorney who knows Florida Child Protection Services (Dependency), Family Law and Domestic Relations Law will take you in the right direction.

I am a Father but not married to the Mother, can I go to court to protect my child?

There are Father’s rights in Florida, and Fathers can take legal action to protect children whether married to the Mother or not.

Should I call the Florida Abuse Hotline?

You should call the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873) to report child abuse, abandonment and child neglect. This is a call to Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protection Services.

Be prepared to give detailed information about incidents of child abuse and/or child neglect, and reasons for your concern that a child is at risk of harm from parents.

Does my call to the Florida Abuse Hotline mean the children are now protected?

Calling the Florida Abuse Hotline does not guarantee that Florida Child Protection Services (DCF) will protect children from abuse and neglect.

An investigation may be initiated after your call to the Florida Abuse Hotline.  If so, a Child Protection Investigator will investigate the allegations of child abuse and child neglect.   The investigation may include interviews, drug tests, document reviews, medical examinations, and face to face contact with children.

However, there is no certainty the investigation will reveal all important information related to child abuse and child neglect.  There is no guarantee that Florida Child Protection Services (DCF) will intervene and protect children.  But you can take the legal action necessary to ensure the safety well-being of a child.

Concerned for the safety and well-being of a child? Contact me, I can help.

Attorney Perrin is uniquely qualified to represent you in Florida Child Protection Services (Dependency) cases, Family Law cases and Domestic Relations cases. Since May 2000, Mr. Perrin has provided legal representation in more than a thousand such matters.

Feel free to contact Paul to discuss Florida Child Protection Services issues of your concern.