Do Not Panic
Video Transcribed: Help! My child is being investigated by child welfare. Hi, I’m Tulsa Grandparents Rights Attorney, Justin Mosteller, and I’m going to give you some advice about what you should do in this situation if you, unfortunately, find yourself there. Now, when DHS is involved in investigating a parent, number one, the first thing to do is not to panic.
Most of the time, in fact, almost all the time, DHS will do their investigation, either substantiated or unsubstantiated and if the problem is minor enough, which most problems are, they will institute what’s called voluntary safety plan.
And you, as the grandparent, might be called upon to be a safety plan monitor. In that situation, your duty is to enforce the rules that DHS has suggested and to be an impartial advocate for the child. And that’s really what your job is all the time.
If you, or as you know, or as you should know, everyone in the state of Oklahoma is a mandatory reporter when child abuse or neglect is suspected. And your reputation with DHS really does matter.
So if you are contacted by DHS, if your child is investigated by DHS, the first thing to do is, to be honest with DHS. DHS has massive investigative capacities. If you tell a lie to DHS, it might help your child in the short term, but I can almost guarantee that DHS will figure out the truth eventually.
And when they do, you’ve lost all credibility with them and really all of your ability to be there for the grandchild who is ultimately the most important thing here. In light of that, be honest with DHS, be cooperative with DHS. Tell the truth to them. Even if the truth might hurt your child, it will help your grandchild.
And your honesty will make you a good placement for the child in the event that it’s one of those rare instances where DHS actually does take the child into state custody. In that scenario, your honesty to DHS at the beginning of the matter will pay dividends because they will look at you as a safe, reasonable placement for the child.
And that’s really the ultimate goal here is to maintain your credibility with DHS, so that in that event, you can be there. Your children will thank you eventually, I promise because you will be a better placement for that child than a traditional foster home. Hopefully, this has answered some of your questions. If you have any more questions, feel free to seek counsel from our office to speak with a Grandparents Rights Attorney in Oklahoma.