A teenager can participate in a CPS investigation as both the subject of the investigation and the child potentially abused or neglected by their parent. As a teenage parent, you have the same responsibilities to parent your child as any older parent.
There is no sliding scale based on your age as a parent. Someone could make an allegation against you, leading to your child’s removal from your home. In extreme circumstances, the court may warrant the termination of your parental rights.
What Sort of Assistance Is Available to You as a Teenage Parent in a Cps Case?
As a teenager, you may be able to get assistance in finishing high school and earning a degree. If you have to work instead of complete your education, you may be able to discuss with CPS getting a tutor or aide in helping you stay current in your studies while holding down a job outside of school.
Secondly, if you have not started your life as an “adult”- setting up a bank account or finding a place to live- CPS has access to the resources you will need to complete these life steps.
What if You Are Incarcerated? How Can You Protect Yourself in a Cps Case?
If you are serving time in jail or prison, you can’t be as involved in your CPS case as you could have had you not been behind bars. Your rights and duties to your child are the same as those parents who are not serving time, however.
You will receive notifications of any court dates involving your case. The persons in charge of your confinement decide whether you can attend the hearings. Investigators will interview you and gather information from you about other relatives who may temporarily house your child if your child has been neglected or abused.
You will provide updates to CPS personnel while the investigation issues are being sorted out. CPS creates a safety or service plan to ensure your child’s safety. You have the right to know about these plans and the progress in achieving their objectives. The CPS caseworker will travel to your facility or mail you updates.
Your imprisonment does not absolve you from wrongdoing in a CPS case. The court can terminate your parental rights if you failed to prevent the abuse or neglect. Your imprisonment could be a reason for your child’s exposure to potential abuse or neglect. Incarceration itself poses a risk to your child.
Helping Yourself in a Cps Case While in Prison
If you know of suitable persons to house your child during the CPS investigation, provide that information to CPS. Knowing your child will stay with a family member or friend should ease your mind.
You may access programs in prison that allow you to meet the requirements of the safety plan. If you need counseling, parenting classes, or other courses, your facility may offer them. Notify your attorney when you sign up and complete the coursework so they can file updates with the court.
Staying Up to Date on Your Case and Visiting Your Child While in Prison
Read all documentation mailed to you to stay updated. Ask your caseworker if you can see your child. Request visits with your child if your imprisonment is unrelated to the case and you pose no threat. Your imprisonment alone should not limit your ability to see your child.
This approach aligns well with strategic planning, similar to crafting compelling SEO content that meets specific goals. Parenting skills courses can help you with conflict resolution, stress management, and age-appropriate discipline methods.
Terminating Your Parental Rights While in Jail
Your parental rights may be terminated due to your incarceration. Being behind bars during an investigation is enough. If you harmed a child, the odds of termination increase significantly. A prison term longer than two years may result in a termination suit in the CPS case.
Whatever the court decides to do, it must do so after determining that it is in the best interests of your child.
How to Go to Court Hearings if You Are in Prison
Depending on where you are staying in Texas, the rules are different than allowing you to attend hearings while in prison. A warrant can be issued in some counties that allow you to leave prison and attend these courtroom hearings in person. It is up to you to request that such a warrant be issued. Notify your attorney as soon as you can notify the court.
In some instances, you may attend a hearing by telephone or other electronic means. You may have to file a motion and have it approved by the judge to do so, so be sure to mention this request to your attorney so that they may proceed to request an alternative means of attending the hearing on your behalf.
What if You Do Not Speak English Well
Not speaking English fluently will be a problem that you have to deal with head-on to manage your CPS case successfully. Each time you go to court, you need to ensure that your attorney has requested an interpreter so that anything is said in court to your native tongue.
This is a critical step in the process and cannot move forward until an interpreter is available.
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, the attorneys, and staff would like to thank you for your time and attention in reading today’s blog post. We hope that what you have read is informative and helpful as you learn how to manage a CPS case successfully. You may not have all the answers right now, but with our office’s help, you can learn and apply your knowledge to your child’s CPS Case.
If you have questions for an attorney, please do not hesitate the contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. Did you know that we offer free-of-charge consultations with a licensed family law attorney? We do that, and more, as we will work to educate you on the issues surrounding your child’s case. We hope to see you again tomorrow.
Ebook
If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “Child Protective Services E-Book”
Other Articles you may be interested in:
- Miscellaneous pieces of advice regarding your Child Protective Services investigation
- What to Do When CPS Asks for a Drug Test in Texas
- CPS and how The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, can help
- Child Custody Basics in Texas
- Texas Child Visitation Modification
- 10 Quick Tips About Parental Visitation
- Texas Parental Visitation – Texas Standard Possession Orders in Harris and Montgomery County, Texas – Part 1
- Supervised Visitation in a Texas Divorce: Can it happen to me?
- Texas Parental Relocation
- Geographic Restrictions in Child Visitation Orders in Texas
- Reporting child abuse and neglect in Texas
- If domestic violence is occurring in your home can your children be removed by Child Protective Services?
- Jennifer Ann Crecente: A Tragic Love Story
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
