Lovejoy and Rimer, P.C.
Attorneys at Law

Call for a free consultation!
203-853-4400
Contact Us

Lovejoy & Rimer | Nowalk Law Firm

Attorneys At Law

CALL US
for a FREE Consultation

(203) 853-4400

  • Home
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorneys & Staff
    • John Hall
    • Christopher J. Jarboe
    • Beverly M. Krieger
    • Steven D. Smith
    • Staff
  • Practice Areas
    • Elder Law
      • How to Apply for Medicaid
      • Denied Medicaid Benefits
      • Difficulties in Applying for Medicaid
      • Medicaid Applications and Planning
      • Medicaid (Title XIX) and Elder Law
    • Family Law
      • Divorce
        • Divorce Trials
        • Mediation/Collaborative Divorce
        • Family Owned Business
        • Property/Asset Division
        • Inherited and Gifted Property
        • Premarital Assets
        • Retirement Asset Valuation
        • Employee Benefits Pension Valuation
        • Divorce Arbitration
        • Divorce and the Special Needs Child
      • Complex and High Net Worth Divorce
      • Business Asset Valuation
      • Alimony/Maintenance
      • Child Custody and Support
        • International & Out-of-State Divorce
        • Hague Convention
        • Custodial Interference, Parental Kidnapping / Taking the Child
        • Parental Alienation
        • Relocation and Moving Out-of-State
        • Can I Get Sole Custody?
      • Father’s Rights
      • Post Divorce Modification
      • Unmarried Partners
      • Domestic Violence & Spousal Abuse
        • Restraining Orders and Protective Orders
        • Contempt and Violation of Court Orders
      • Prenuptial Agreements
      • Same-Sex Marriage
    • Foreclosures
    • Landlord / Tenant Law
    • Litigation / Appeals
      • Personal Injury
    • Personal Injury
    • Probate, Wills & Trusts
      • Estate Administration
      • Special Needs Trusts
      • Will Contests
    • Real Estate & Land Use
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

CHILD ABANDONMENT UNDER CONNECTICUT STATE LAW

155824063A recent case in the national news about the arrest of 17-year-old Illinois mother accused of abandoning her newborn infant in a trash bin has put a highlight on child abandonment. Child abandonment occurs when a parent, guardian or other person in possession of a child either abandons a child without any regard for that child’s physical safety, health or well being, or when the child is not receiving the necessary care for a healthy existence. In Connecticut, child abandonment is a wholly illegal act. However, there are legal ways that both newborn children and older children can safely be relinquished to the state. This process involves the absolute severance of the parental relationship, and results in a complete termination of a child’s parental rights to care for or even see the child that they give up.

Child abandonment can occur in a variety of situations, including:

  • Leaving a child with another without first making provisions for the child’s support, and without making meaningful communications with the child for at least three months;
  • Abandoning an infant on the side of the road, on a person’s doorstep, in dumpsters or in trash cans;
  • Refusing to provide a child with the necessary supervision, care and support;
  • Not responding to any notices of state or local child protective hearings;
  • Leaving the child alone for a time period that creates a real risk of serious injury and/or harm occurring because of the child being left alone; and
  • Making minimal attempts to communicate and support a child.

The Connecticut Termination of Parental Rights Procedure

Parental rights cannot be reinstated once terminated. In order to terminate parental rights, a petition must be filed in the probate court where the child or petitioner resides, and children over the age of 12 must be joined in the petition. The following parties can petition for the termination of parental rights:

  • One of both of the parents, including parents who are minors;
  • A child’s guardian;
  • A duly authorized officer or any child-care agency, children’s home or other comparable institution that has been approved by the Connecticut Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families (DCF);
  • A person in charge of/having custody of a foundling child; or
  • A relative of a child who has been deserted or abandoned by their parent(s).

After the termination of parental rights application has been filed, the probate court must hold a hearing within 30 days. Parents that are part of termination of parental rights petitions have the right to an attorney, and the court must also appoint an attorney to represent the child as a guardian ad litem in the parental rights termination process. An investigation conducted by the DCF is also part of the hearing process. The petitioner must prove that clear and convincing evidence exists that supports the termination of the parent-child relationship, and that a valid ground for termination exists.

The termination of parental rights is a very serious legal decision. If you need legal assistance or representation, you should contact the experienced Fairfield County family law attorneys at our law firm.

Filed Under: Child Custody, Connecticut family law attorney, Connecticut Laws, Fairfield County Connecticut Family Lawyer, Father's Right

Contact Us Today

    I understand the Terms and agree to be contacted
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

  • Alimony & Maintenance in Connecticut
  • Child Abuse
  • Child Custody
  • Child Custody & Visitation in Connecticut
  • Child Expenses
  • Connecticut divorce lawyer
  • Connecticut family law attorney
  • Connecticut Laws
  • Connecticut Prenups
  • Divorce
  • Divorce Decree Modification
  • Domestic Violence
  • Elder Care
  • Fairfield County Connecticut Divorce Attorney
  • Fairfield County Connecticut Family Lawyer
  • Family Business
  • Family Law
  • Father's Right
  • Grounds for divorce
  • Health Insurance
  • High Asset Divorce
  • Immigration Reform
  • Juvenile Laws
  • Marriage Benefits
  • Mediation
  • Medicaid
  • New Laws
  • Pet Custody
  • Prenup
  • Prenuptial Agreement
  • Property Division in Connecticut
  • Same Sex Marriage
  • Social Media

HOME

FIRM PROFILE

ATTORNEYS & STAFF
Louis Ciccarello
John Hall
Christopher Jarboe
Beverly Krieger
Steven Smith
Staff

PRACTICE AREAS
Real Estate & Land Use
Landlord / Tenant Law
Probate, Trusts and Estates
Litigation / Appeals
Elder Law
Negligence
Family Law

CONTACT US

BLOG

CONTACT US
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU

Lovejoy And Rimer, P.C.
65 East Avenue,
Norwalk, CT 06851-4907

203-853-4400 ssmith@lovejoyrimer.com

Copyright © 2022 · Lovejoy & Rimer · Disclaimer

Lovejoy & Rimer, P.C.
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorneys & Staff
    • John Hall
    • Christopher J. Jarboe
    • Beverly M. Krieger
    • Steven D. Smith
    • Staff
  • Practice Areas
    • Elder Law
      • How to Apply for Medicaid
      • Denied Medicaid Benefits
      • Difficulties in Applying for Medicaid
      • Medicaid Applications and Planning
      • Medicaid (Title XIX) and Elder Law
    • Family Law
      • Divorce
        • Divorce Trials
        • Mediation/Collaborative Divorce
        • Family Owned Business
        • Property/Asset Division
        • Inherited and Gifted Property
        • Premarital Assets
        • Retirement Asset Valuation
        • Employee Benefits Pension Valuation
        • Divorce Arbitration
        • Divorce and the Special Needs Child
      • Complex and High Net Worth Divorce
      • Business Asset Valuation
      • Alimony/Maintenance
      • Child Custody and Support
        • International & Out-of-State Divorce
        • Hague Convention
        • Custodial Interference, Parental Kidnapping / Taking the Child
        • Parental Alienation
        • Relocation and Moving Out-of-State
        • Can I Get Sole Custody?
      • Father’s Rights
      • Post Divorce Modification
      • Unmarried Partners
      • Domestic Violence & Spousal Abuse
        • Restraining Orders and Protective Orders
        • Contempt and Violation of Court Orders
      • Prenuptial Agreements
      • Same-Sex Marriage
    • Foreclosures
    • Landlord / Tenant Law
    • Litigation / Appeals
      • Personal Injury
    • Personal Injury
    • Probate, Wills & Trusts
      • Estate Administration
      • Special Needs Trusts
      • Will Contests
    • Real Estate & Land Use
  • Contact Us
  • Blog