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Learning that Child Protective Services (CPS) wants to speak with your child can be one of the most unsettling parts of an investigation. Many parents assume they must be present or that CPS cannot interview a child without first asking permission. In reality, the answer depends on the circumstances of the investigation and where the interview takes place.
If your family has already been contacted by CPS, understanding how child interviews fit into the investigation can help you prepare for what may happen next. In some cases, those interviews are simply one step in gathering information. In others, they become an important part of a Dependency, Neglect, and Abuse (DNA) case or a related criminal investigation.
The purpose of a CPS interview is to gather information directly from the child rather than relying only on reports from adults. Investigators often compare what a child says with medical records, school records, witness statements, and other information collected during the investigation.
The interview itself does not determine whether abuse or neglect occurred. Instead, it becomes one piece of the larger investigation, which may involve multiple interviews, home visits, and conversations with other individuals connected to the family.
A child interview may follow reports involving:
Each investigation is different, and the questions asked during one interview may be very different from another.
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, CPS may interview a child at school without a parent being present.
Schools are often one of the first places investigators visit because children spend a significant portion of their day there, and school personnel may have information related to the report. Teachers, counselors, school administrators, and other staff members may also be interviewed if they have relevant information about the allegations.
Many parents first learn about the interview after it has already taken place. While that can be frustrating, it does not necessarily mean CPS has reached any conclusions about the investigation.
A child may also be interviewed during a home visit or another meeting arranged by CPS.
The setting often depends on the nature of the allegations and where investigators believe they can gather the information needed to complete the investigation. In some situations, investigators may ask to speak with the child separately from the parents. In others, multiple interviews may occur throughout the investigation if additional questions arise.
When CPS requests repeated interviews or continues gathering information after the initial contact, many families choose to speak with an attorney to better understand where the investigation may be headed.
An interview is rarely the final step in a CPS investigation.
After speaking with a child, investigators may continue reviewing medical records, school records, photographs, witness statements, or other information before deciding whether the investigation should be closed or whether additional action is necessary.
Depending on the facts of the case, CPS may:
The next steps depend on the investigation as a whole, not solely on what was discussed during the interview.
No.
Many investigations include interviews with children and never result in removal from the home. Emergency removal generally occurs only when investigators believe there is an immediate concern for the child’s safety and court involvement becomes necessary.
Parents are often understandably concerned after learning their child has been interviewed, but the interview itself should not be viewed as a decision about the outcome of the investigation.
Many parents contact an attorney only after receiving notice of a court hearing. By that point, CPS may have already interviewed the child, spoken with witnesses, reviewed records, and developed recommendations based on the investigation.
If CPS has requested to interview your child, or you have learned an interview has already taken place, it is often beneficial to understand how that interview fits into the broader investigation. Cases involving child interviews sometimes remain administrative, while others develop into family court proceedings or criminal investigations depending on the allegations.
Tibbs Law Office represents parents throughout Louisville and Kentucky during CPS investigations, DNA proceedings, and related family law and criminal defense matters. Discussing the situation early often provides a better understanding of the legal issues involved and allows more time to prepare if additional interviews, hearings, or court proceedings follow.
Can CPS interview my child more than once?
Yes. Depending on the investigation, CPS may conduct additional interviews if new information is received or follow-up questions arise.
Will the school tell me my child was interviewed?
Not always. Many parents first learn about the interview after CPS contacts them directly or after the interview has already taken place.
Can police also interview my child?
If the investigation involves possible criminal allegations, law enforcement may become involved. In some cases, CPS and law enforcement conduct coordinated investigations while following separate legal procedures.
