This is the second post in my series on whether Las Vegas fathers should contact CPS when they believe there is an emergency. My last article provided an overview of topics which this series will be addressing and stressed the need to speak with an attorney before contacting Child Protective Services. It is important to speak with counsel due to the fact that, as I will explain in my next article, filing an unfounded report can have negative consequences on one’s child custody situation. In this article I will discuss another important topic – when it is appropriate to contact CPS. If you have questions then contact my office today to consult with a lawyer.
Reports to Child Protective Services are appropriate when the child is in danger or is suffering from neglect which can be immediately harmful. Examples of dangerous situations can include instances where the child is being physically or sexually abused, where drug abuse is occurring in the home, or where the child is otherwise in some sort of physical danger. “Neglect” which justifies calling CPS can include a lack of food in the home, the child not receiving necessary medical care, or where the child is living in a home which is unsanitary to the point of being dangerous. It is important to understand that if you believe your child is in imminent danger then it is best to call law enforcement as CPS will not immediately visit the home.
It is important to understand that a dad should not call CPS simply because they are unhappy about their child’s situation or due to a disagreement over parenting styles. Spanking a child, for example, will likely not be considered “physical abuse.” Likewise if the mother is legally using marijuana or consuming alcohol casually, and not endangering the child, then such conduct would not likely be found as an emergency. Also, a house that is not tidy is a far cry from “unsanitary.” There are many situations in which the Clark County Family may in fact consider a request to change child custody. Such situations, however, do not rise to the level of an emergency that justifies calling CPS.
If you are a Las Vegas father and are worried about your child’s situation then it is best to consult with a family law attorney. Counsel will help you to understand your options. These options can include, as mentioned above, filing a request to modify custody, filing a report with CPS, or other possible actions. I regularly handle such matters and my office is ready to assist you. Contact us today to speak with a lawyer.