ETIOLOGY OF LOSS AMONG PARENTS FALSELY ACCUSED OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of loss among parents whose children were in child protective custody that resulted from false accusations of abuse or neglect. In practice, child protective service assessments more times than not clear parents of charges of wrongdoing, however the impact of these investigations on parents has not yet been documented. Field data produced over 500 pages of text that incorporated the stories of 63 parents. The data was collected through literature searches of legal testimonies, on-line postings, and direct interviews with 5 family participants. The themes of loss included: (1) physical separation; (2) the loss of fantasy of their faith in the system; (3) the loss of the fantasy that they could protect their child; and (4) the loss of the sense that their parenting experience had been normal. Some recommendations for improving assessments, parent education, and therapeutic interventions are discussed.