Orange County, California – When a child is removed from their home due to a SSA investigation in Orange County, California, it can often lead to juvenile dependency cases. We sat down with Attorney Mo Abuershaid to learn about Social Service Agency – Children and Family Services (SSA) Investigations and how they can impact parents who have open Juvenile Dependency Cases.
WHAT IS SSA?
Social Service Agency – Children and Family Services (SSA for short) is the government agency responsible for investigating reports of child abuse and neglect. SSA will usually open an investigation if they receive a report that a child has been abused or neglected.
Once the investigation is opened, an SSA investigation will determine whether or not the child is at risk of harm. If they determine that the child is at risk of abuse or neglect or has been abused or neglected, the child may be removed from the home while a formal juvenile dependency case is opened on behalf of the child.
HOW IS AN SSA CASE OPENED?
An SSA case is opened when someone makes a report to the agency that a child has been abused or neglected. Anyone can make the report, including a family member, friend, teacher, doctor, or neighbor. Once the CPS report is made, CPS will open an investigation.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN SSA INVESTIGATION?
During a SSA investigation, a social worker will interview the child, the parents, and other adults who live in the home. The social worker will also speak to any witnesses who may have information about the alleged abuse or neglect.
The social worker will use this information to determine whether or not the child is at risk of harm. The social worker has a legal obligation to act in the child’s best interests.
This obligation means that if the social worker has a good faith belief that the child has been abused or neglected in violation of WIC 300, she can remove the child from the home, and a juvenile dependency case can be opened.
WHAT IS JUVENILE DEPENDENCY?
Juvenile dependency is a legal term that refers to the court-supervised care of minors.
During Juvenile Dependency proceedings, the court will determine what the child’s best interests are and if the parents will be reunified with the parents. If reunification is not possible, the court will terminate parental rights.
Therefore, if SSA decides to open an investigation, a juvenile dependency case will be opened upon the filing of the allegations and report. At the first court hearing, the court will decide whether the family will be subject to continued supervision.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF JUVENILE DEPENDENCY?
There are many consequences of juvenile dependency. Juvenile dependency can also result in the loss of parental rights. The most severe consequence is that the parent’s rights may be terminated, and the child will be permanently removed from the home and placed in foster care.
Juvenile Dependency cases may also take a long time to resolve. Depending on the evidence the social worker reports and how responsive parents are to their programs, cases can last from 6 months to 18 months, or longer. Parents may have limited visitation rights or supervised visits when they see their children during this time.
WHAT TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE FALL UNDER WIC 300?
Section 300 of the Wellness and Institutions Code (WIC) lists the types of abuse and neglect that fall under SSA jurisdiction. These include:
– Abandonment
– Physical abuse
– Other abuse
– Emotional abuse
– Neglect
WHAT ELSE CAN HAPPEN IF SSA FINDS THAT ABUSE OR NEGLECT OCCURRED?
If an SSA investigation finds that abuse or neglect occurred, not only can a dependency case be opened, but criminal charges may be filed as well. Criminal charges may arise whether or not a case is juvenile dependency case is opened.
The penalties for child abuse can be very severe. Depending on the type of abuse, the parent may have to do jail time on the lesser end or be required to register as an offender on the more extreme end. They may also be sentenced to jail or prison and face hefty court fines.
About Attorney Mo Abuershaid
Attorney Mo Abuershaid is the founding partner of ALL Trial Lawyers. He is the lead attorney handling the firm’s juvenile dependency practice (CPS defense). He has counseled and represented hundreds of parents against Child Protective Services (CPS), Social Service Agency – Children and Family Services, and other social service agency investigations. Attorney Abuershaid has fought for and protected parents in juvenile dependency cases in numerous counties in Southern California, including but not limited to, Orange County, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside. Mohammad Abuershaid is highly equipped to handle juvenile dependency cases of all severities, including cases involving allegations of general neglect or negligence, failure to protect, severe physical abuse, positive toxicology results in infants, other forms of abuse, fractures or broken bones, head injuries, and trauma.
Attorney Mo Abuershaid and his team are committed to justice.
Media Contact
Company Name: Abuershaid Law, APC
Contact Person: Mo Abuershaid
Email: Send Email
City: Orange County
State: California
Country: United States
Website: https://alltriallawyers.com/
