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Policy
Manual
COURTS
Superior Court For Juvenile Matters
46-3-7
Petitioning The Court
| Definition |
A petition is a formal, written pleading
that seeks to invoke the authority of the court. The petition must state, with a reasonable degree of
particularity, the facts and circumstances to support the allegations of
neglect, abuse, uncared-for, or grounds for termination of parental
rights, which bring the matter within the jurisdiction of the court. |
| Who Files
Petitions? |
The
Department usually files any petition alleging child abuse and neglect in
the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters.
This is because the Department has the primary responsibility by
law to investigate any reports of suspected abuse, danger of abuse or
neglect.
Other
persons may file neglect, abuse or termination petitions, including the
child’s attorney or guardian ad litem. |
| Some Situations in
Which Petitions May Be Filed |
Some
situations in which petitions may be filed include, but are not limited
to, the following:
-
the child
is in immediate physical danger and must be removed from the home
-
it is
unlikely that conditions in the home will change without court
intervention because the parents refuse or are unable to use the services
offered
-
the child
is in need of medical treatment that the parents are unwilling or unable
to provide
-
conditions
of neglect are so hazardous or injurious to the well being of the child
that it is necessary to remove the child from the home
- the
child has been abandoned and no legally responsible adult is
available or willing to care for him or her.
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Connecticut Department of Children and Families Effective Date: November 1,
2005 (Revised)
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