The 3 Most Common Ways a Child Dependency Case Starts (WI 300)

When you are involved in a child dependency case, you face the risk of losing custody of your child forever. Sadly, our experienced child dependency lawyers speak to many people who have no idea why a child dependency case against them has started.

There are many reasons why a child dependency case could be started against you, but these three are the most common reasons:

You are Suspected of Abusing Your Child

Under California Welfare and Institutions Code 300 (WI 300), a child will become a ward of the court if he or she has suffered or is at a substantial risk of suffering serious physical harm or illness inflicted by one or more of his or her parents.

Typically, child dependency cases are started when someone makes a report to police or social workers that they believe you are physically abusing your child. A social worker will come out to your home and investigate whether there is reason to suspect you of child abuse. If he or she believes you have committed abuse, your children could be taken from your custody and your case could go to the child dependency court.

Many people are unaware that spanking your child or yelling at them frequently could be considered a form of abuse in certain situations. In order to ensure that you are not at risk of losing custody of your child, you must only use “reasonable discipline” against your child.

Another circumstance that often leads to a child being taken into protective custody by social workers or the police is when a parent leaves a young child unattended in a car. In addition to having your child taken away, you could face misdemeanor or felony child abuse charges if you leave your child unattended in a vehicle.

You are Suspected of Neglecting Your Child

Another common reason why child dependency cases begin is because you are suspected of neglecting your child.

Neglect is when you fail to take care of your child. For instance, you could be accused of child neglect if you fail to feed your child, fail to provide him or her with clothing or if you do not get your child proper medical treatment. These cases often begin when doctors suspect you of child neglect.

You Put Your Child in a Dangerous Situation

You do not have to be the one abusing or neglecting your child in order for a child dependency case to start against you. If you put your child in a situation where he or she is in danger of being abused or neglected, you could lose custody of your child.

What this means is that if you leave your child in the care of another parent, a relative or a babysitter who is likely to abuse or neglect your child, this could start a child dependency case against you. You are legally obligated to protect your child from abuse or neglect, so the child dependency court could take your child away from your custody if you fail to do so.

Contact Our Experienced Child Dependency at Wallin & Klarich Today

If you or a loved one is facing a child dependency hearing, you should contact a skilled child dependency attorney right away. At Wallin & Klarich, our knowledgeable child dependency attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully representing our clients in child dependency matters. Let us help you now.

With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, Los Angeles, West Covina, Torrance and San Diego, you can find an experienced Wallin & Klarich child dependency attorney available to help you no matter where you are located.

Call us now at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.