Section 214-RICR-50-00-1.14 - Coordinating Efforts with Office of the Attorney General in Criminal ProsecutionA. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-7, if the Department has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to criminal abuse or neglect, the Department will immediately forward any information relating to the knowledge or suspicion to the appropriate law enforcement agency.B. The Office of the Attorney General is vested with the legal responsibility to determine whether or not legal grounds exist to pursue criminal prosecution in cases involving child abuse and/or neglect. In many of these cases, the Department has intervened to provide services intended to ensure for the protection and safety of children who are victims of child abuse and/or neglect. In such cases, it is important that staff within the respective agencies coordinate efforts to ensure the safety and protection of these children.C. Upon notice of a criminal investigations of child abuse and/or neglect from a law enforcement agency, the Juvenile Division of the Office of the Attorney General (AG) forwards a request for information to the Department's Office of Legal Counsel. D. The Department's Legal Office provides the AG's Office with the following information: 1. A copy of the Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation which relates to the criminal investigation.2. Conformation as to whether or not the Department has initiated a child protection custody petition and/or whether or not the case is currently active with the Department.3. Name and telephone number of the casework supervisor assigned to the case.E. The AG's Office contacts the assigned casework supervisor to determine the status of the child's placement and the Department's visitation plan with the alleged offender.F. If the Office of the Attorney General proceeds with the filing of criminal charges, the AG's office forwards a copy of the criminal information package to the Department's Legal Office.G. The AG's Office notifies the Department of the disposition of the criminal charges, including the initiation of a "no contact order" and/or any modification of any outstanding no contact orders.H. The Department notifies the AG's Office of any change in the offender's access to the child through visitation, placement, or otherwise.214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-50-00-1.14
Amended effective 12/3/2018