OMG DCF Visited Me Today!

[Former Teacher]

The difference is, I am not licensed and have no intention of getting a license. Therefor, there is no implied concent applicable here and they have no reason to storm my house.

I understand they have a job to do, but being rude and disrespectful is not part of their job.

I TOTALLY agree! They had absolutely no business being there. Now if it was an allegation of some physical abuse, that would be different. However just because some nosy a** neighbor who has nothing better to do than to sit by a window and report people, that is ridiculous.

As I said before, I am so happy that it worked out in the end for you. Chalk it up as a learning experience

[jen]

Hmmmm...I'm pretty sure that they can do their job without being rude. I understand that they see a lot of things and hear a lot of lies, but that doesn't excuse them. I am equally certain that they see many, many false complaints and therefore shouldn't make up their minds before they get to the truth. Investigate, yes. Be respectful of another human being...absolutely.

By the way, I have had a similar experience. The investigator showed up, just one investigator. We talked, I explained the situation (in this case I had contacted a mother regarding the welfare of her children while with the non-custodial parent, he had called me at home on the weekend, drunk) She contaced the police to do a well child visit...my name showed up in the police report and he was angry to say the least.

Anyway, she didn't push her way in, treat me like a criminal, and wasn't in any other way disrespectful. She did her job like a professional.

If you read the fine print on most facilities of this style (day care, foster care, group homes, etc) you will find that in there, is something to the effect that you will open your place of business, your records, and comply with all investigations, or your license is automatically revoked and you can be charged with obstruction.

It falls under the laws of "implied consent".....such as, if you drive a motor vehicle, you have automatically consented to undergoing a breathalyzer or BAC test if suspected of operating under the influence.




I'd talk to another attorney, one that actually understands what kind of facility you are operating, the wording of the license, and what they are talking about.

Refusing to allow an inspection of a facility (in most states) is automatic grounds for closure. And good luck getting re-opened.

Think of it like a restaurant refusing to allow the health inspector in......yeah, that wouldn't go well for them either.


While what you went through was a major PITA, stop and think about it from the other side of the situation....they get a call reporting that kids in daycare center XYZ are playing in the road, and if they don't respond and thoroughly investigate, THEY are called out as being negligent, and the fault falls upon DCF for ignoring a complaint if something were to happen (a kid in your care playing in the street getting run over and killed).

About them not believing you, I'm sure they've heard more lies in their line of work than you'd imagine. The only way to get to the truth is a thorough, complete investigation.

They're doing their job.....however much it may seem that they are picking on you.

[wejo928]

I had Children & youth here about 2 weeks ago. It was all bs.
They complained I had a 5 year old boy running around outside in a diaper & that same child drove a bike over the cliff at the back of my property. The things is it was my nighbors son not mine & in their care both times. (over the cliff was 1 1/2 yrs ago.)
That I leave the daycare kids run loose in the yard. Well I live in Pa & all daycares can not have the children outside w/out a fenced yard. I have 2 two year olds, a 11 month old & a 6 month old. I said u got to be kidding me. I live on a end lot and have a propery that is odd shaped that is 20 feet wide, back 125 feet and 160 feet angel conects them. So i am the local play ground.
The other complaint was I make a mentally retarded adult live in my basement.
I do and I have a full aprtment down there and am licenced by the state to do shared living.
That the police are here all the time. Again the neighbor's house not mine. I moved in here almost 2 years ago & they were here only 1 time. That was June 1, 2008 when a parent punched my husband in the face because he told them after 3 1/2 months of care & no payment to take their kids home & keep them.
She told me not to worry but I still have not gotten my notice of being cleared.

In PA if I was licensed they could close me down while investigating. But unlicensed they can not.

If they come and I am over ration (3 children at a time) I will be closed & not elligable for a licence in my state. Plus fined $1000 a day if I wold stay open.
It is a pain & scarry. I was very open with all my parents and they called in and voiced their opion. The thing is I do foster care & custody care and am doing a home study to adopt a special needs child. Neighbor & parents can say or call Children & youth anytime you do not do what they want.
I follow the law to T and do what I have to. And deal with it as it comes along. I am applying for my licencing because 1 parent is due in March & i need another spot to take her baby in care. But I fear if someone wants gets mad they will close me down and then what?
Any sujestions form others who went thru things?