NCJ Number
58569
Date Published
1979
Length
34 pages
Annotation
CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEPENDENCY SITUATIONS ARE IDENTIFIED. HOW THESE MATTERS ARE EVALUATED FOR COURT EVIDENCE AND HOW TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS IN ILLINOIS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS INTENDED TO AID THE ILLINOIS STATE ATTORNEY WHO PROSECUTES CIVIL OR CRIMINAL CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES. IN DISCUSSING THE IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEPENDENCY SITUATIONS, RELEVANT STATE STATUTES ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED FOR BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES. THE DEFINITION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEPENDENCY ARE CONSIDERED, WITH A LIST IF INDICATORS, OF PHYSICAL CONDITION AND INJURY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALONG WITH CHARACTERISTICS THAT TEND TO BE PREVALENT IN ABUSING PARENTS. INSTRUCTIONS ON THE INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENTS ARE PROVIDED. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE ATTORNEY IN CIVIL CASES AND THE USE OF AN ADVISORY SCREENING COMMITTEE OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE CHILD WELFARE FIELD TO ADVISE ABOUT THE WISDOM OF COURT NEGLECT, NEGLECT AS TO NECESSARY CARE, AND AN INJURIOUS ENVIRONMENT AS NEGLECT ARE EXAMINED. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED AND PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN SEEKING THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS ARE ALSO EXPLORED. IT IS NOTED THAT IN CRIMINAL CASES, ILLINOIS STATUTES INTEND THAT THE EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO PROTECT MISTREATED CHILDREN AND PUNISH OFFENDERS IN SUCH MATTERS. WITH REGARD TO CRIMINAL CASES, DISCUSSIONS COVER CHILD CUSTODY, ENDANGERING LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILD, CHILD ABANDONMENT, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEPENDENCY OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD, AND CRUELTY TO CHILDREN AND OTHERS. SIGNIFICANT JUDICIAL DECISIONS BEARING ON THESE MATTERS ARE CITED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (RCB)