DG v. Department of Children and Families

D.G. (“Father”) and R.L. (“Mother”) lived together for approximately ten years. Three children were born of the relationship: L.G., M.G., and a third child whose death at a very young age led to the initiation of these proceedings. The Department of Children and Family Services (“DCF”) had a report pending when the infant died. The report concerned Mother’s substance abuse and the birth of the baby girl with drugs in her system. Upon the infant’s death, DCF took the two surviving children into custody.

DCF filed a two-count dependency petition against both parents. Count one focused on the…