DCFS

The Importance of the Initial Conversation with Iowa DHS or Illinois DCFS

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Having a DHS, HHS, or DCFS worker appear at your door can be one of the most upsetting and scary things to happen in your entire life. That is true whether you are a parent, a daycare provider, a nurse, or anyone else accused of some sort of child abuse/neglect or dependent adult abuse/neglect. Often, … Read more

The Harm Caused by Iowa DHS and Illinois DCFS in False Child Abuse Accusation Cases

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Accusations of child abuse, even when false, can have a profound and harmful effect upon many aspects of a person’s life.  For that reason, properly handling such false abuse accusations that are investigated by Iowa DHS or Illinois DCFS is of great importance.

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Why DHS and DCFS are in Such a Hurry to Talk to People (Yet then take Weeks to Complete their Reports)

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Iowa DHS and Illinois DCFS workers are often in a hurry to speak with a person who is being investigated for child abuse or neglect.  There is a reason for that rush, and it is not something that benefits justice or the person who is under investigation.

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Substantial Risk of Physical Injury / Environment Injurious to Health and Welfare in Illinois DCFS Cases

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

In situations where Illinois DCFS has become involved, there may be an allegation that a child has been subjected to a Substantial Risk of Physical Injury / Environment Injurious to Health and Welfare.  That allegation in Illinois (DCFS Allegation #60) is defined as follows:

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Things to Remember when Talking to DHS in Iowa or DCFS in Illinois

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

When a DHS (in Iowa) or DCFS (in Illinois) become involved in a person’s life due to child abuse or neglect allegations, they often do so by making an unannounced visit and requesting that a person speak with them.  How that conversation is handled can have a significant impact upon the rest of the case.

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Inaccurate DHS (In Iowa) and DCFS (in Illinois) Reports

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

The Department of Human Services (DHS) in Iowa, and its counterpart the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Illinois, are responsible for investigating child abuse accusations. Sadly, many of their reports inaccurately assign blame for child abuse, or claim that abuse exists when there has not been any abuse at all.

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Emergency Consultation for Iowa and Illinois Legal Matters

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

At Puryear Law, we understand that many legal situations become emergencies outside of a law firm’s normal business hours.  Those situations often include criminal defense, divorce, child custody, emergency injunctions, DHS/DCFS accusations, and protective orders.  For situations that cannot wait, we offer emergency phone consultations for potential clients who have cases in Iowa or Illinois (in either state or federal court).

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Appealing a Founded DCFS Child Abuse Report in Illinois

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

In Illinois, the Department of Children and Family Services is the state agency that handles the investigation of child abuse and child neglect accusations.  In situations where the DCFS worker assigned to the case believes that child abuse or neglect has occurred, a “founded” report will be produced.  In some cases, such a founded report will result in a person being added to Illinois’ child abuse database, called the State Central Register, which can have significant negative

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Dealing with DHS (in Iowa) and DCFS (in Illinois)

Attorney Eric D. Puryearby Attorney Eric D. Puryear

Each state has its own child protective services agency.  In Illinois, that agency is called the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS).  In Iowa, it goes by the name Department of Human Services (DHS).  A person who finds themselves facing a DHS or DCFS investigation, no matter how baseless that investigation may be, is wise to promptly seek an attorney and avoid saying or doing anything until that attorney can review the situation and provide

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