DCFS will take the child if they find evidence of child abuse or neglect.
They will take a child and place them in the care of:
- a caregiver
- foster care
- extended family
They will give this person conservatorship and put them in charge of the child’s well-being.
If the child’s health is in serious jeopardy, the parents will lose permanent custody.
Sometimes the child’s parents that lose legal rights to their child will still have visitation rights.
It depends on the decision from the family court.
The family courts base their decisions on the recommendation of:
- social services
- law enforcement (if involved)
During the investigation, the family courts will give the parents temporary orders that outline:
- physical custody
- an emergency custody order (if parents are losing custody)