Child Abuse Central Index – How to Remove Your Name

There are strict procedural requirements for requesting a grievance hearing when child abuse or neglect is found to be substantiated or inconclusive. When you receive written notification of your inclusion in the CACI database, you have 30 days to appeal that inclusion through a grievance hearing with Children and Family Services (CFS). The grievance hearing is the final level of review. You are entitled to have legal representation during this time.

You must submit by mail, fax, or in person a completed form specific to the CACI grievance procedures.  The hearing request form must include:

• The case referral number
• The name of the county your matter is located;
• Your complete contact information;
• Your date of birth;
• A reason for grievance in which you believe provides a basis for reversal of the county decision, AND
• The name of your attorney, if any.

Once you request the hearing, it must be set within 10 business days and heard within 60 calendar days.

As you may see, this can be a complex ordeal.  It is critically important to have an experienced child abuse central index defense attorney to ensure the time restrictions are met and to fight for you at the hearing.  The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been handling CACI matters for decades and zealously represent their clients at every step in the process.

Prior to the hearing, our attorneys can review the list of witnesses the county intends to call against you, as well as any evidence the county intends to use against you at the hearing.  After reviewing the county’s evidence and witness list, we can gather evidence and other witnesses to testify on your behalf.  It is vital to have an attorney that can assist you in convincing the county that the findings should be withdrawn or changed.

Our attorneys will work to achieve this by rebutting the county’s evidence and presenting a strong case.  After the hearing, the hearing officer submits their statement and recommendations to the County Director.  The County Director will then, within 10 business days after the recommended decision is entered, issue a final decision adopting, rejecting, or modifying the recommended decision.

If you appear on the database as an alleged victim of child abuse or neglect, and wish to have your name removed, you must be at least 18 years of age before submitting a written request to the DOJ. The request must be notarized and include your name, address, social security number, and date of birth. Upon receipt of the request, the DOJ will remove your name, address, social security number, date of birth, and any other descriptive information about you from the CACI database. The DOJ will then notify you in writing that your name and information have been removed.

It is important you contact an experienced attorney to help you with your CACI matter.  Once a name is listed on CACI, it will remain in the index for a period of 10 years.  The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience defending false claims of abuse or neglect and representing parents in CACI proceedings.  Call us today at (888) 749-0034 or visit us on our website at www.wklaw.com.  We will be there when you call.