What happens after law enforcement places a child in protective custody?
A Juvenile Court Dependency Hearing may begin with children being removed from their parents and placed in protective custody. The law allows law enforcement to detain children up to 72 hours for their protection if the officer believes there is a risk of neglect or abuse. Children are usually taken to the Children’s Receiving Home. When children are taken into protective custody, the officer or social worker will immediately attempt to notify the parent(s) or guardian(s). If the children are not in immediate danger of neglect or abuse, and are living with a parent, relative, or friend, they may be allowed to remain there pending the court proceedings. When the children are placed in protective custody and taken from the home, there must be an investigation to decide whether the children can be safely returned to the home from which they were taken. The first investigation is made by the social worker in the Intake Unit of the Department of Social Services. If the social worker decides
