The Department shall give notice of  the results of the investigation to all persons alleged to be perpetrators of child abuse or neglect.

The regional office or Hotline, whichever is responsible for the abuse or neglect investigation, shall notify, by first class mail

·          the parent(s) or guardian(s) of any victim of child abuse or neglect and 

·          the person or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of any minor substantiated as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect

The notice shall advise the person

·          of the allegations that were investigated

·          the names of the child(ren) involved in the investigation

·          the date (or timeframe) the abuse or neglect occurred

·          whether the allegation of abuse or neglect was substantiated or not substantiated, and

·       how to appeal if the perpetrator disagrees with the substantiation.

Any person or the parent or guardian of a minor who has been substantiated as a perpetrator of child abuse or neglect and disagrees with the substantiation shall be entitled to appeal the finding. 

In order to appeal a substantiation a request must be sent

·      in writing

·          by the person or the parent or guardian of a minor who has been substantiated as a perpetrator or his/her legal representative

·          to the Regional Administrator or Director of Hotline, as appropriate, and

·       within sixty (60) days of the date on the “Notification of Investigation Results,”
       DCF-2210. 

Individuals who were substantiated as perpetrators of child abuse or neglect prior to May 1, 2000, may not appeal the finding unless the substantiation directly results in the denial of employment, licensure, or other similar benefit.  

A regional/Hotline review may be deferred (use DCF-2213) pending disposition of any civil, probate, criminal court or administrative proceeding that may result in a finding by the court that the appellant has committed the act of child abuse or neglect that is the subject of the substantiation.

It shall be the appellant’s responsibility to notify the Department that the court matter is no longer pending and that the appellant would like to proceed with the appeal.

A A request for a regional/Hotline review shall be denied (use DCF-2214) by the

Department when a criminal, civil, probate court, or administrative proceeding has resulted in a finding that the perpetrator has committed the act of child abuse or neglect that is the subject of the substantiation.

Upon receipt of a request for an appeal of a substantiation finding, the Regional Administrator/Director of the Hotline or his/her designee shall have sixty (60) days to complete a review of the case record and determine whether the facts found in the course of the investigation support the substantiation finding.

Cross-Reference:   22-12-1 through 22-12-8, "Substantiation Hearings"

If the regional office/Hotline review determines that the substantiation was not supported by the facts found in the course of the investigation, the Regional Administrator/Hotline Director or his/her designee shall 

·        notify the person that the substantiation has been reversed using “Notification
of Investigation Review Results,” (DCF-2212-B)

·         make appropriate corrections to the Department’s records, and 

·        advise the parent/guardian of the child involved in the incident of the reversal.

The name of a person substantiated as perpetrator of child abuse or neglect may be disclosed outside the Department for employment/license/volunteer screening purposes or as otherwise permitted by law.

Legal Reference: 

·     Conn. Gen. Stat. §17a- 28,  §17a-101a thru §17a-101k.

Upon notification that a person or parent/guardian of a child substantiated as a perpetrator of abuse or neglect has appealed the finding, the Department shall not disclose that the person is a confirmed perpetrator, pending the outcome of the appeal, unless disclosure is permitted by Conn. Gen. Stat. §17a-28 or §17a-101a thru §17a-101k, or as otherwise permitted by law.