210.183. Alleged perpetrator to be provided written description of investigation process.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

210.183. Alleged perpetrator to be provided written description of investigation process.

Alleged perpetrator to be provided written description ofinvestigation process.

210.183. 1. At the time of the initial investigation of a report ofchild abuse or neglect, the division employee conducting the investigationshall provide the alleged perpetrator with a written description of theinvestigation process. Such written notice shall be given substantially inthe following form:

"The investigation is being undertaken by the Children's Divisionpursuant to the requirements of chapter 210 of the Revised MissouriStatutes in response to a report of child abuse or neglect.

The identity of the person who reported the incident of abuse orneglect is confidential and may not even be known to the Division since thereport could have been made anonymously.

This investigation is required by law to be conducted in order toenable the Children's Division to identify incidents of abuse or neglect inorder to provide protective or preventive social services to families whoare in need of such services. The division shall make every reasonableattempt to complete the investigation within thirty days, except if a childinvolved in the pending investigation dies, the investigation shall remainopen until the division's investigation surrounding the death is completed.Otherwise, within ninety days you will receive a letter from the Divisionwhich will inform you of one of the following:

(1) That the Division has found insufficient evidence of abuse orneglect; or

(2) That there appears to be by a preponderance of the evidencereason to suspect the existence of child abuse or neglect in the judgmentof the Division and that the Division will contact the family to offersocial services.

If the Division finds by a preponderance of the evidence reason tobelieve child abuse or neglect has occurred or the case is substantiated bycourt adjudication, a record of the report and information gathered duringthe investigation will remain on file with the Division.

If you disagree with the determination of the Division and feel thatthere is insufficient reason to believe by a preponderance of the evidencethat abuse or neglect has occurred, you have a right to request anadministrative review at which time you may hire an attorney to representyou. If you request an administrative review on the issue, you will benotified of the date and time of your administrative review hearing by thechild abuse and neglect review board. If the Division's decision isreversed by the child abuse and neglect review board, the Division recordsconcerning the report and investigation will be updated to reflect suchfinding. If the child abuse and neglect review board upholds theDivision's decision, an appeal may be filed in circuit court within sixtydays of the child abuse and neglect review board's decision."

2. If the division uses the family assessment approach, the divisionshall at the time of the initial contact provide the parent of the childwith the following information:

(1) The purpose of the contact with the family;

(2) The name of the person responding and his or her office telephonenumber;

(3) The assessment process to be followed during the division'sintervention with the family including the possible services available andexpectations of the family.