Monthly Archives: November 2012

Allison C. Williams, Esq., Founder of NewJerseyDYFSdefense.com, to Appear on the Katie Couric Show


Allison C. Williams, Esq., founder of http://NewJerseyDYFSdefense.com, is going to appear on the Katie Couric show!!! The topic: Parents wrongfully Accused of Child Abuse. The show will be taped on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. During the program, Ms. Williams will be blogging on the issues discussed by Katie and the panelists.

Stop by http://NewJerseyDYFSdefense.com on December 3rd for continuing commentary from the show. Or, better yet, register to receive regular updates from the cite going forward. Ms. Williams shares and discusses the implications of articles, case law, statutes and topics pertinent to defense of parents and families in Child Welfare Matters.

Spanking + Accidental Injury = Child Abuse


When parents ask, “Is it ‘child abuse’ to spank my child”, the answer on paper is no. New Jersey prohibits “excessive” corporal punishment, thereby clearly permitting corporal punishment that is not excessive. See, N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21(c); N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. K.A., 413 N.J. Super. 504, 510-11 (App. Div. 2010).

However, the Appellate Division’s interpretations of the K.A. case, the first published opinion to provide a framework to evaluate conduct and consequences that will render corporal punishment to be “excessive”, clearly show that our courts have little to no tolerance for parents who accidentally “injure” a child during the course of a spanking. The most recent unreported decision that demonstrates this point is New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services v. R.S., A-0074-11T4 (OAL Docket No. AHU 09-1698).

In R.S., the grandmother of a five year old child spanked him on the behind and legs with a belt due to the child’s aggressive behavior toward his teacher. During the course of the spanking, the child squirmed and the belt accidentally hit the child in the face, causing a mark. The Appellate Division concurred with DYFS that this constitutes child abuse, calling the spanking “willful and wanton” misconduct, i.e., reckless.

What made this spanking “reckless”, rather than merely “negligent”? The grandmother should have foreseen that the child would attempt to evade the spanking because he had recently gotten into trouble at school for running away from his teacher. Applying this standard, any child who does not passively and peacefully accept a spanking – i.e., the children who likely need the discipline the most – cannot be spanked absent a finding that the “perpetrator” was “reckless” for using this form of discipline.

The Appellate Division also considers the use of the belt to be of significance. In K.A., the mother balled up her fist and punched her child repeatedly in anger and frustration. This form of discipline was merely “negligent” because it did not cause a visible mark and was considered an “ill-conceived impulse”. Yet, a grandparent who makes a conscious decision to obtain a belt and administer discipline is said to have assaulted the child.

The age of the child was also a distinguishing factor. In K.A., the child was age 8. The Appellate court in R.S. also mentions the P.W.R. case involving a slap in the face of a 16 year old stepchild. Apparently, one should anticipate that a 5 year old will seek to avoid discipline – i.e., squirm when spanked – but that same expectation does not attend to a rebellious teenager.

Perhaps the ruling in K.A. would have been different had the mother taken time to obtain a belt to spank the child on the legs – a clear no-no – rather than simply exploding with multiple punches to the shoulder – a area much closer to the child’s face, the area of concern in this R.S. case.

I speak somewhat tounge-in-cheek to illustrate this point. In reality, spanking occurs in households across New Jersey. What distinguishes one spanking from another when determining if corporal punishment is “excessive” varies from case to case, but generally, these guidelines apply:

1. If you spank, better to use a hand than an object.

2. Spanking is better left to severe mis-behavior – not your run-of-the-mill unruliness, lack of respect, non-compliance or impulsivity seen in children.

3. Try NEVER to leave a mark, bruise, cut, welt, depression, or redness – no matter how faint, no matter how inadvertently caused, no matter where located.

4. If ANY mark is left, better left on lower extremities than near the face.

5. If the child is seen for medical treatment — even if only when sought by DYFS — the child’s report of pain will be considered an additional harm in and of itself.

(This is akin to a judge relying upon a child’s report of feeling “sad” when they overhear parents’ arguing to support a finding that the child’s emotional state is “impaired” by parental conduct. Any discomfort or unpleasantness experienced by a child can and will be used against the parent to bolster a finding of abuse.)

So, the best advice for parents in New Jersey is simply do not spank… or if you do, make sure no marks can prove than you did.

Life (and the law) would be much clearer if the New Jersey legislature would enact legislation banning spanking. Whether we agree with that policy or not, it would provide parents with clarity in terms of what can and cannot be done to modify children’s behavior – rather than causing our judiciary to impute far-reaching assumptions to parents (e.g., that a child will squirm and likely be hit with a belt in his face rather than his legs because he once ran away from a teacher when being disciplined) as a means to qualifying their conduct as “reckless” rather than merely “negligent”.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Families of New Jersey!


This time of year is fraught with sadness for so many people – particularly those children and families that are kept from their loved ones due to allegations of abuse or neglect. When abuse has been substantiated, families are kept apart to ensure safety of children. However, when abuse is only suspected, the separation of children from their families is all the more troubling and tragic.

The Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”), n/k/a the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (“DCPP”) – like many other partiers involved in family court litigation – is usually taxed with requests for holiday parenting time at this time of the year. Last minute requests for increased parenting time, approval of additional supervisors, overnight access to allow all family members to attend gatherings out of state, present in droves.

To increase the likelihood that your family may enjoy time together at the holidays, during the pendency of a DYFS/DCPP matter, here are a few suggestions:

1. Aim to address holiday parenting time requests at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance of the holiday.

2. Identify as many family members and friends to the agency that may be evaluated and approved to supervise parenting time. A person who may be ineligible for placement (e.g., because of inadequate shelter) may be approved to serve as a supervisor at a holiday party.

3. Remember that not every parent requires supervision. The Division almost universally requests supervised parenting time for parents accused of any form of abuse or neglect. However, the agency and the court must identify a basis for supervision, and absent same, visitation is to be unsupervised.

If the allegation is medical neglect of a child, what risk can be identified from the alleged neglectful parent spending time in the presence of the child at a holiday event, when someone else in the family would be responsible for the child’s medical needs if any? Do not be afraid to make the argument.

4. Supervised overnight parenting time is not impossible to accomplish while ensuring safety for the child. If the accused parent has a substance abuse problem, how likely is it that the parent will abstain from substances while supervised until the child’s bedtime, but then, while the child is asleep, abuse substances and place the child at risk? Not very.

5. Expansion of parenting time at the holidays is very common. Seek the support of agencies that will supervise parenting time for a fee. These agencies may not be available on the holiday, but may be available a day or two afterward.

Celebration can occur at any time. Arrange supervised visits for the day before or after the holiday. Many agencies will supervise visitation off site, traveling with the parent to public places for parenting time.

These tips are not designed to constitute legal advice. For information about how you and your family can be together for holiday parenting time while your DYFS case is ongoing, please contact Allison C. Williams, Esq. and schedule a consultation.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Neglect may Open the Floodgates


A medical malpractice case published on November 16, 2012, provides us with a new standard – and clear requirements – for reporting child abuse and neglect. In

    L.A. v. New Jersey Div. of Youth and Fam. Svcs, Jersey Shore Medical Center, Dr. Yu, et. al.

, the Appellate Division interpreted the mandatory reporting provisions of Title 9, specifically N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10, which provides: “[a]ny person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse, or acts of child abuse, shall report the same immediately to [DYFS]”.

In L.A., a physician was sued for medical malpractice because of his failure to report to DYFS a child’s treatment in the Emergency Room. The child ingested cologne and was found to have a blood alcohol content of .035. There was no allegation or concern that this ingestion was intentional or a purposeful act of her caregivers. But, rather, concern arose over whether or not the child had been the subject of inadequate supervision or some other form of negligent conduct. In the child welfare conduct, “negligence” is defined as willful and wanton misconduct – i.e., the recklessness standard. This physician asserted that he had no concern for physical abuse, and therefore, no duty to report to DYFS.

The Appellate Division disagreed. In interpreting the mandatory reporting provisions of Title 9, the Court remanded the case to the trial court for a jury trial on the issue of whether or not the physician breached his duty of care and committed medical malpractice by failing to report negligence (i.e., recklessness) to DYFS. Ultimately, this ruling is consonant with the rubric of analysis in child welfare cases – child abuse and neglect endangers child safety, and therefore, should be addressed through the procedures established by law. However, L.A. raises the series of concerns for New Jersey families.

First, the Appellate Division notes that the mandatory reporting is no longer just for medical professionals, but for “any person”. Since L.A. requires reporting of negligent conduct for physicians, that mandate also applies for “any person” who becomes aware of negligence.

Second, the L.A. Court held that the reporting requirement is not triggered by “mere suspicions”. However, little more than that is required:

[T]he triggering of the obligation to report, especially in the context of civil litigation involving professional malpractice, does not require the potential reporter to possess the quantum of proof necessary for an administrative or judicial finding of abuse or neglect. All that is required by N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10 is “reasonable cause to believe.”

How exactly are citizens in this State to know when they have “reasonable cause to believe” that a child has been subjected to “negligence”? Our case law defines negligence in child welfare as recklessness, and the distinction between mere negligence and gross negligence is fact sensitive. Even among our courts, there is no agreement. Each case turns on its facts. When in doubt, individuals are more likely to report than not to – especially since the L.A. Court made a point of noting that “[f]ailure to report as required by N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10 is a disorderly persons offense punishable by incarceration for up to six months. N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.14, 2C:43-8.”

For certain, the L.A. Court was chagrin to learn that a physician did not so much as inquire as to how a 2 year old child accessed and ingested this potentially lethal, noxious substance. The Court has given real teeth to the mandatory reporting requirements for all citizens. However, the absence of any real teeth on the other side of the reporting spectrum – i.e., the knowing reporting of false allegations that lead to DYFS involvement – causes me great concern that the agency will continue to be the recipient of CYA-reporting, over-reacting in its highest form due to a well-intentioned, but perhaps slightly over-broad ruling.

Allison C. Williams, Esq. to Present a CLE on Confidential DYFS Records


New Jersey, among other states, requires licensed attorneys to attend a certain number of hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs every two years. Many bar associations and private companies provide these programs; however, the largest provider in the state is the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education (www.njicle.com).

On Monday, November 12, 2012, Allison C. Williams, Esq. will be presenting for NJICLE in the Annual Hot Tips for Family Lawyers CLE. The Hot Tips CLE includes a wealth of information from 40 presenters, providing practice pointers for attorneys addressing a wide array of topics. Ms. Williams will be presenting on DYFS issues – specifically, how to gain access to confidential records maintained by the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), now known as the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP).

Provided to each attendee at the CLE presentation will be a comprehensive book of materials containing the article authored by Ms. Williams. That article will be available here on NewJerseyDYFSdefense.com in the upcoming weeks. Check back for a copy of the article and for more valuable information all about defense of parents in DYFS/DCPP matters.

DYFS Lawyer: All Lawyers are not Created Equal


When a parent is accused of abuse or neglect, or faces the most severe life consequence of termination of parental rights, a lawyer with expertise in the field of child welfare law is vital to parent defense. Many lawyers advertise that they are capable of adeptly handling a DYFS matter. Some are correct. Unfortunately, many more are not.

DYFS litigation is imbued with complexities that transcend basic family law. This area of litigation requires an intimate familiarity with agency law and procedure, Superior Court law and procedure, and the intersection of the two. It requires an understanding of social work, psychology, psychiatry, mental health generally and medical conditions. It requires an understanding of the Rules of Court and Rules of Evidence, many of which differ from those applicable to matrimonial and family law. It requires an intimate familiarity with two key statutes defining abuse, neglect and parental unfitness, and their subparts. Few attorneys have this familiarity.

Many parents seek out an attorney who is skilled in the field of family law. One way of determining if a practitioner is skilled in family law is by seeking those who have been Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney. While these practitioners are deemed competent in the field of family law, they are not necessarily so in the field of Child welfare law. To become certified, one must pass an examination created by the Board on Attorney Certification. This examination does not include any material covering child welfare law topics.

Choosing an attorney is an important step in the reunification and sustenance of families involved in the child welfare system. Parents should be careful not to choose a lawyer simply because they are a skilled family law practitioner or, even worse, simply because they advertise that they are a “DYFS Lawyer“.

If a parent is seeking representation by an attorney with the skills, reputation and knowledge needed to help adeptly navigate the child welfare system, please contact Allison C. Williams, Esq. for a consultation.

Should a Parent Accused of Abuse or Neglect Agree to an Interview with DYFS?


Parents often contact me and ask if the accused parent is required to be interviewed by the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), n/k/a the Division of Child Protection of Permanency (DCPP). Some parents want to exonerate themselves and often feel that a quick chat with the Division may resolve the issue. Other parents fear exchanging any words with the Division, no matter how innocuous the alleged infraction or conciliatory the worker who contacts them. The determination of whether or not a parent should be interviewed is fact sensitive and requires legal advice. This post is not designed to replace that advice.

The Division has an obligation to investigate every referral made alleging potential abuse or neglect or parental unfitness. Their focus is on actual harm and risk of harm. To do that, an interview with the child is typically required. For non-verbal children, the investigator must personally observe the non-verbal child. Once these minimum requirements (and others) are satisfied, the Division must speak with the accused parent.

If the parent refuses to be interviewed and the Division can discern that there is no imminent risk of harm that necessitates the removal of a child, the agency must determine whether or not it will pursue the matter further. In some instances, the Division can determine from the information gathered to date that no abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur based upon the current level of risk to the child. In these instances, the agency may choose to close its investigation with a determination and no further involvement with the family – despite its non-compliance with the Administrative Code requirement that it speak to the accused parent. My experience has been that this is rare.

Conversely, if the parent refuses to be interviewed, the Division may elect to take one of several actions – all of which are undesirable. The Division may determine that the potential risk to the child cannot be determined, absent an interview with the parent. If that is the case, the agency may elect to seek removal of the child until such time as risk can be assessed. The Division may also file an action in Superior Court to compel a parent to cooperate with its investigation. A court will typically compel the parent to be interviewed, absent some compelling reason such as the pendency of a criminal investigation or prosecution.

The determination of when a parent should submit or refuse to submit to an interview with the agency is very fact-specific. The nature of the allegations, parent’s knowledge of the child’s statement(s) if any to the agency, the parent’s relationship with the other parent of the child at issue, and most importantly, the county office investigating and the judge in the county hearing DYFS/DCPP matters.

If a parent is contacted by the agency and an interview is requested, the parent should ask for the opportunity to consult with counsel. In such instances, Allison C. Williams, Esq. can consult with the parent to determine the best course of action, which may include an interview in the presence of counsel or a refusal to be interviewed. A parent should not simply refuse to be interviewed and hope for the best. This rarely works out for the best.

Presidential Election 2012: Impact on Child Welfare?


As Election Day draws near, Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Governor Mitt Romney have inundated the media with their positions and plans to address many issues. These issues range from health care to taxes to gender equality to energy sources. But, noticeably absent from the barrage of talking points is the candidates’ view of the Child Welfare system.

This is not at all surprising. Many American citizens have come to accept the government’s interference in family life for the touted goal of “protecting children”. Any claims of bias, personal persecution, racism, classism, abuse of power, or over-reaching by caseworkers, are routinely met with justifications, rationalizations, explanations and/or exaltations that such claims are either isolated or are a necessary evil given what’s at stake. Consequently, few people are offended by the State’s actions taken in the name of child protection… and even fewer people even care to investigate, let alone question these actions.

So, then, how does one make an informed decision when it is time to vote if neither candidate is even cognizant of the issue? Democrats tend to be more policy-oriented toward those disproportionately affected by the child welfare system – i.e., the poor. Yet, Republicans tend to be more policy-oriented toward limited government intrusion into the autonomy of individuals. There is no right answer.

Perhaps, the question to be answered is not which candidate will be best equipped to improve the Child Welfare system, but rather, which candidate will be open to becoming educated about the inequities of this system. And, truth be told, no political party has a track record to warrant support from those involved in this system if policies designed to improve the system are our measuring stick.

Non-Offending Parents in Sex Abuse Cases


NewJerseyDYFSdefense.com received an inquiry regarding the Division’s hostility toward non-offending parents in sexual abuse cases. Allison C. Williams, Esq. responded to this inquiry, and since then, we have received very favorable responses to that Reply in Comments. For that reason, we have decided to republish that post here.

Counsel is involved in a matter involving alleged sexual abuse by the Father wherein the Mother believes in his innocence in a northern county. She represents the non-offending parent who firmly believes her husband’s innocence. The following suggestions are made for such circumstances:

1. The non-offending parent should compile a list of reasons why s/he believes his/her spouse. The reasons should focus upon the parent-child relationship with the non-offending spouse — not the spousal relationship. Focusing on the latter will likely draw complaint that the non-offending parent prioritizes the spouse over the child.

2. The psychological community acknowledges that a parent can disbelieve that abuse has occurred, and yet, still be supportive of the child who believes she has been abused. Cite to this research every time the matter is listed in court. Such information from Learned Treatises offers material and relevant evidence to the court for dispositional purposes.

3. Minimize the public appearance of support got the alleged offending parent by the non-offending parent. The image of wife supporting husband contradicts the position that wife supports his accuser (i.e.., the child) – no matter what the psychological community has to say about the two roles being compatible.

4. Obtain private therapy for the non-offending parent. Do NOT allow the Division access to this professional unless and until there is a finding, and only then, after the consequences of such finding have been addressed in court. Keep that safe space for the non-offending parent to express fear, concern, anxiety and yes, even doubt, without fear of jeopardizing the accused parent’s defense, the child’s sense of security or the marital relationship.

These tips are not intended to constitute legal advice. If you would like to discuss your matter further, please contact me at our office and schedule a consultation with Allison C. Williams, Esq.