Sunday night, Sept. 30 2018, a Taunton woman, Melissa Hope, 34 was arrested after a confrontation with a police officer who was assisting the DCF remove three children from her home. The DCF came to Hope’s home, which she shares with her husband, Matthew Hope, in an attempt to remove the children under the premises of “abuse” and “neglect”: these allegations included sexual assault and keeping the children in cages.
When the police showed up to the Hope’s residence, they were met with “obscenities shouted from an open window” (The Taunton Gazette) and both Melissa and Matthew stated that the police needed a warrant to enter the apartment, prompting police to explain that emergency situations don’t require warrants. The police then proceeded to enter the apartment by force; Melissa Hope blocked their way to the children, and “grabbed 24-year-old Patrolman Nicholas Kerr in the ‘area of his throat and neck’ and pushed him backwards ‘with a significant amount of force’ (The Taunton Gazette).
Hope was charged for assault and battery, and pleaded not guilty; she was not charged for offenses related to the DCF investigation process of child abuse and neglect, and these allegations weren’t discussed in court. This situation underscores the importance of understanding parents rights against DCF, especially in legal matters where charges do not directly relate to DCF’s concerns but the investigation’s backdrop may impact parental rights and outcomes.
When dealing with tough cases like this, we must remind ourselves who needs our help the most. Amidst the mess and distractions that all too often accompany DCF cases, we need to remember the top priority in all child protection matters: for the safety, protection and well-being of children. The children in this case need to be prioritized: they have already been through enough. The children need a safe home environment, therapeutic intervention, and, hopefully, a family member who can take them in in this trying time.
Tossing children into a limbo period of foster-care while under the custody of DCF does little to improve their mental and physical health; children need stability, children need familiarity, and children need to know that someone is putting their best interest above all else. Time does not stop for children who are removed from their parents, and the longer they swim about in uncertainty, the harder it will be for them to bounce back to a healthy and happy state.
DCF Investigation Process Here at the Law Office of Kevin Patrick Seaver, we promise to never lose sight of what is just for those who deserve justice; we stand with children, we stand with families, and we stand with what is right.
If you or a family member is involved with the DCF, Call Attorney Seaver or Request Online A Consultation
disclaimer
You find yourself in this situation, it’s advisable to seek legal representation from a qualified attorney, like those at the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, who can advocate for your rights and guide you through the complex process of a DCF investigation.
Remember that the ultimate goal of DCF is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting families in crisis.
Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers.
Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from the attorney based on personal circumstances. Thank you.
Kevin Patrick Seaver is a Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer who represents parents against false child abuse allegations.
Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer Kevin Seaver has been successfully fighting false child abuse allegations since 1991.
Please remember to look at the evidence – DCF workers admit to not being trained in disability or education law. They supported a claim of neglect against me that I was failing to send my child to Natick schools when factually, the written discharge from Franciscan Hospital stated not to return child to Natick schools for fear of re-hospitalization.
In this case the dcf supervisor was drinking in the job all workers connected to this case have been let go kids are happily back with parents despite the trauma they Are now dealing with in therepy because of the abuse the endured in the care of the department of physical and emotional as well dcf tried to cover up
How were the allegations of child abuse and neglect not discussed in court? If it was reported that the children were unsafe and there was enough reason for DCF to immediately (and at least temporarily) remove the children, then how was there no further investigation of their family? Of course children are priority, but abuse and negligence are far more of a problem than temporary relocation and uncertainty. And what happened to the family after the court hearing regarding the police confrontation?
False allegations kids returned case was dropped dcf supervisor fired later for drinking on the job and as for the police well that case didn’t go very far at all no charges or jail time for anyone police and dcf contacted media to cover their wrongdoings kids are happy and healthy
In this case the dcf supervisor was drinking in the job all workers connected to this case have been let go kids are happily back with parents despite the trauma they Are now dealing with in therepy because of the abuse the endured in the care of the department of physical and emotional as well dcf tried to cover up