[anilorak13ska]

Is this automatic, like I think it is? I take it those who have been falsely accused simply can never adopt in spite of lack of evidence, bc the authorities automatically believe a child over an adult. But if anyone has been a victim of false accusations and then was able to go on to adopt, please let me know!

[ruth74]

I am not an adoption social worker or adoption lawyer, so you may want to contact a professional. However, I was told that accusations of abuse or neglect would not necessarily prevent me from adopting, but a finding by child protective services would. It's like if you were to apply for a job at a bank and had been convicted of embezzling funds. The bank would have no way of knowing, outside of the conviction, whether you had actually committed the crime, so it would be irresponsible of them to take the chance. If new evidence has come to light that the finding was incorrect you can contact child protective services to attempt to clear up the issue. I do know someone who that happened to (kids had been pressured/ threatened by the other parent to support the allegations, and my friend was later able to find evidence of this as well as the children telling child protective services the truth) who was able to get a finding overturned.

[Nevada Jen]

Many states also have a procedure for removal from records. I think you would need to ask your social worker before you started the process. I can see situations where a founded report would not mean that you were an abuser particularly if the founded incident was over a foster child. For instance, you could have a founded that you used abusive punishment but that punishment not have been actually abusive but simply a violation of fostercare rules (withholding food, forcing food, spanking etc. . )