Cobble v. Commissioner of the Department of Social Services

The plaintiff appeals from a judgment of a Superior Court judge affirming an administrative determination by the Department of Social Services (department), that his hitting or spanking of his minor child constituted “abuse,” as that term is defined by statute and regulation. See G. L. c. 119, § 51 A; 110 Code Mass. Regs. § 2.00 (1996).1 He argues that the department’s decision to support a report of abuse was not adequately *386supported by the factual record. He further contends that the department’s action amounts to an unjustifiable interference by the Commonwealth with his fundamental…