Neglect / Abuse Proceedings 
The Department of Human Services is responsible for investigating reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.  Michigan's Child Protection Law defines child abuse and neglect as harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare.

REFERRAL PROCESS

A referral of child abuse and or neglect can be made by any person including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect may report the matter to the Department of Human Services or any law enforcement agency. The information in a CPS (Child Protective Services) complaint needs to be provided by the individual who actually has observed the alleged victim or had contact with the child regarding the complaint.

Contact the CPS Emergency Contact Number(517-546-8668) to make a report of suspected child abuse and or neglect:

Department of Human Services
2300 E. Grand River, Ste. 1
Howell MI 48843
Information Phone:  517-548-0200

Department of Human Services Daytime Phone After Hours Phone
Children's Protective Services (517) 546-8668 (517) 546-8668
Adult Protective Services (517) 546-8668 (517) 546-8668

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Michigan - Department of Human Services


WHAT HAPPENS IF A NEGLECT and/or ABUSE PETITION IS FILED?

The basic purpose of child protective proceedings is to protect children and prevent abuse or neglect, rather than to punish abusive or neglectful adults.  If the Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services worker (or other person) presents a petition to the Family Division of the 44th Circuit Court, the court must follow certain procedures when deciding whether to take jurisdiction over the child and place him or her outside of the home.   If the child is placed out of the home the court prefers a relative placement. 

If the court authorizes the filing of the petition, a trial will be held, unless the parent enters a plea of admission or no contest, to determine whether the court will take personal jurisdiction over the child.  This stage of the proceedings is known as the adjudicative phase.

If the court takes jurisdiction over the child, the case moves into the "dispositional phase."  During the dispositional phase, the family must participate in court-ordered services and counseling designed to improve the conditions leading to court jurisdiction to reunify the family (unless ordered otherwise).  If, at the initial dispositional hearing, regularly held review hearings, or a permanency planning hearing, the court determines that the family should not be reunified, a hearing on termination of parental rights will be held.

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Livingston County Juvenile Court
204 S. Highlander Way, Suite 3, Howell, MI  48843
Phone 517.546.1500   -   FAX 517.546.3731

Juvenile Court email: juvenilecourt@co.livingston.mi.us

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Last updated: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 Updated by: L.Coffman