Section 214-RICR-20-00-1.9 - Standards for Investigating Child Abuse & Neglect (CA/N) ReportsA. Child abuse and/or neglect investigations must include personal contact with each child named in the report as well as any other children in the household.B. When the alleged perpetrator is the parent or guardian of a child victim, the Department makes every effort to confirm the past and present whereabouts of any child of that parent or guardian not residing in the household at the time of the alleged incident of abuse and/or neglect.C. The Department interviews the child, if the child is of the mental capacity to be interviewed, in the absence of the person responsible for the alleged abuse and/or neglect. 1. The Department has the right to question the child without the consent of the parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare.2. If the Department is denied access to the child, the Department must request the intervention of the local law enforcement agency or seek an appropriate court order to examine and interview the child.D. For allegations of Institutional Abuse or Neglect, the Department makes every effort to locate and interview each child present in the child care facility at the time the abuse and/or neglect took place, whether or not he or she is the alleged victim.E. The standard of proof to indicate a report of Child Abuse or Neglect is a "preponderance of the evidence".F. All efforts are made to complete each investigation within thirty (30) days. If an extension of the thirty (30) day timeframe for completion of an investigation is necessary, a supervisor and/or administrator may grant an extension request up to fifteen (15) additional days.214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-20-00-1.9
Amended effective 1/20/2021