Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in Washington

If your parental rights have not been terminated, you should have the right to visit him in the hospital. Talk to the caseworker.

Also, if you still have your parental rights, you have the right RCW 13.50.100(7) to get the records regarding your child. Here is Form 17-041 (Rev. 08/2011). (Here it is in Word format you can fill in on your computer.) You actually don't need the form but most social workers don't know that; so to make it easier you should use the form. Don't let them lie to you that your attorney has to request it. According to RCW 13.34.090(4), they have to give it to you within 15 days of your written request. Make sure to walk your request into the CPS office and get a copy with their received stamp on it. Also, give a copy to your case worker along with a copy of the statute that requires her to give it to you within 15 days. You might also want to print this off and show her as well. If they don't get it to you within 15 days, ask your attorney to file a motion for contempt.

Even if you have lost your parental rights, you can make a public records request to the local DSHS office for the records of the foster home. To do that you need only send a signed letter requesting the information, identifying the foster home and saying it is a public records request.