| buse investigation is the process of investigating the | | | | case was assigned for investigation reveals that |
| abuse. It means getting background information on | | | | continued Child Protective Services intervention is |
| the abuser getting proof of the abuse with pictures, | | | | unwarranted. |
| audio, video, and talking to others that may know | | | | The private detective must also determine whether |
| something about the abuse. The Texas department | | | | there is a reasonable likelihood that a child will be |
| of family and protective services outlines key | | | | abused or neglected in the foreseeable future. There |
| information about child abuse. | | | | are two alternatives. |
| Child Protective detectives investigate reports of | | | | 1. The worker concludes that the children are not at |
| child abuse or neglect in order to determine whether | | | | risk if |
| any child in the referred family has been abused or | | | | (a) no significant risk factors have been identified, |
| neglected. In addition, caseworkers assess critical | | | | and abuse or neglect has not been found to have |
| areas of individual and family functioning to determine | | | | occurred in the current investigation; or |
| whether any child in the referred family is at risk of | | | | (b) the family appears willing and able, through use of |
| abuse or neglect; and initiate protective services for | | | | family and community resources, to deal with risk |
| children who need protection. | | | | factors in their lives in such a manner as to ensure |
| To determine whether any child in the family has | | | | the safety of the child(ren) for the foreseeable |
| been abused or neglected and is still at risk of abuse | | | | future. If the worker concludes that the children are |
| or neglect, the investigative worker may interview | | | | not at risk, then the case may be closed. |
| family members and appropriate collateral sources. At | | | | 2. The worker concludes that the children are at risk |
| the end of the investigation, staff must assign a | | | | of abuse or neglect if: |
| disposition to each allegation identified for the | | | | (a) the worker has identified significant risk factors, |
| investigation. Dispositions include the following: | | | | and |
| 1. Reason-to-believe. Based on a preponderance of | | | | (b) the family appears unable or unwilling to utilize |
| the evidence, staff conclude that abuse or neglect | | | | family and community resources to deal with the risk |
| has occurred. | | | | factors in a manner that will ensure the safety of the |
| 2. Ruled-out. Staff determines, based on available | | | | child(ren) for the foreseeable future. |
| information, that it is reasonable to conclude that the | | | | If the background investigation concludes that the |
| abuse or neglect has not occurred. | | | | children are at risk of abuse or neglect, then the |
| 3. Unable To Complete. An "unable to complete" | | | | worker may recommend: |
| investigation is one that cannot be concluded and | | | | * services to address the problem, |
| assigned another disposition because the family could | | | | * open the case for family based safety services or |
| not be located to begin the investigation, or the | | | | * file a petition to initiate civil court action to protect |
| family was contacted but subsequently moved and | | | | the victim. |
| could not be located to complete the investigation or | | | | Actions could include removal of the children from the |
| the family refused to cooperate with the | | | | home and possibly termination of parental rights. |
| investigation. CPS policy outlines several required | | | | Private investigators often play a keep roll in the |
| actions the caseworker needs to complete with the | | | | collection of evidence. Assigning the case to the |
| "Unable To Complete" disposition. | | | | appropriate private detective agency could be the |
| 4. Unable-to-determine. Staff concludes that none of | | | | difference in developing the information needed to |
| the dispositions specified in [1 through 3 above] is | | | | uncover the facts needed to prove the case is |
| appropriate. | | | | indeed a criminal investigation. |
| 5. Administrative closure. Information received after a | | | | |