Often I’m asked what is a 51A Report? In Massachusetts regarding the Department of Children and Families, a child abuse report for abuse or neglect is filed, called a 51A. It’s named after the chapter and statute of law for the 51A.In other words on the Mass General Laws chapter 119 section 51A the statute requires a mandated or nonmandated or anonymous person to file with DCF a report of child abuse. It’s a bunch of legalese mumbo jumbo. Just remember that a 51A is a child abuse or neglect report.
Now how does that happen? A mandated, nonmandated or anonymous reporter calls DCF orally over the phone. A mandated reporter must follow up with a written report. Then DCF in the screening process where they either screen the report in and it goes to investigation for emergency or nonemergency depending on the condition of the child.
So what they want to do is DCF wants information and the screeners will call the reporter and get information about the condition of the child, the circumstances surrounding the alleged allegations of abuse or neglect as well as the person responsible for the abuse or neglect. Then they have a screening process where they also will call the child’s pediatrician, the teachers, the school, the principal.
They may even run a CORI on the parents usually or the person alleged to have abused the child. They also run the child and the parents to see if there is any DCF background history. So DCF will do whatever they can to get as much information as they can to make that 51A report as clear as possible in their determination to try to see if that report should be screened in for investigation or hopefully a happy ending being screened out and the case not going any further.
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.