Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Step-parent abuse?

My children came to me (non-custodial parent) and informed me of a physical situation between one son and step-parent. He informed me well after the fact. My ex left me (adultry) and moved in with an abusive man when the children were infants and left him for another man (who she got pregnant with and he was still married) who seems to be abusive, based on what they have told me that goes on. I consulted a lawyer who insisted that I ask the children more questions about what goes on in their home (about the abuse they mentioned to me). I have always been torn about questioning them but I am their parent and if they are in a situation that is not good for them then I feel I need to have it evaluated. Sould I question them more? And if so, what sould I do if I learn about more abuse, what would my next step be? My children are now 9 and 10.


Asked on 3/26/08, 9:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Step-parent abuse?

If you believe that there is credible evidence that your children are being physically abused, the matter should be reported to your local CPS(Child Protective Services)agency.

However, one needs to very cautious with this type situation as some of these claims are either pure fabrications on the part of the children or induced my adult counselors with questionable motives, or, as in some cases, a combination of the two.

There was a gentleman down in Edenton, North Carolina, who ran a daycare center there back in the 80's called Little Rascals (or something similar) who was falsely accused of abusing his little charges at the height of this type of hysteria, and not only was he was convicted, but as far as I know is still incarcerated to this very day in a North Carolina penitentiary.

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Answered on 3/27/08, 11:24 am


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