Do I have any chance of getting them back if I have all clean urines from this point out?
Perhaps.
As a parent victimized by an adverse action of the kiddy agency, you are entitled to be represented by an attorney paid for by the state, if your finances are frayed and fractured.
Once a petition has been filed at the juvenile court, the child and his or her parents are entitled to legal representation. The court will appoint an attorney for the child when a petition is filed and for parent(s) if they are indigent. In these proceedings, DCF is represented by an Assistant Attorney General (AAG).
The parents can either admit or contest the allegations, which will determine whether the case will proceed to a trial. By admitting to some or all of the allegations, the case will proceed to disposition without a trial. By contesting some or all of the allegations, there will be a hearing for the court to decide whether the allegations contained in the petition are true. During a contested hearing, all parties will have the opportunity to present witnesses and other evidence in support of their case. DCF will seek to present a wide range of information about the parents' background, including employment, mental and behavioral health, and criminal history. Also of concern will be the child's health and educational progress. The court may order evaluations of the parents or the child, and will decide what specific steps the parents must take to improve the situation so that they will be able to appropriately care for the child. Some or all of this information may become part of the court record in a child protection case.
After all evidence has been heard, a judge will decide whether the child should be "adjudicated" or found to be abused, uncared for, or neglected. If the judge finds the child has not been abused, uncared for, or neglected, the case will be dismissed. If the judge finds the child has been abused, uncared for, or neglected, a dispositional hearing will take place to decide the best option to prevent further abuse or neglect of the child.
The court may order one the following dispositions:
Return/Remain with Parent(s): the court has decided that it is in the best interest of the child to be with parent(s).
Protective Supervision: the child remains in the home with the parent(s) under DCF supervision.
Transfer of Custody/Guardianship: custody and/or guardianship is transferred to a relative or other person who must be a suitable and worthy caregiver.
Commitment: the guardianship of the child is removed from the parents and usually given to DCF for a period of time.
Dismiss: the court dismisses the petition.
CHILD PROTECTION PROCEEDINGS
