Child abuse is still as real in our current society as it is in societies of the past. Most people look for physical signs when suspecting child abuse, but emotional abuse and neglect can leave deeper scars; especially when parents are no longer together and there’s a danger that the child may be placed in the custody of the wrong parent.
Private Investigators Can Save a Child’s Life!
Qualified private investigators know what to look for and present the best evidence when considering child safety during a divorce, says Michael Porter with Haywood Hunt & Associates Inc. The parents can, of course, share their concerns and observations but we also know that it is not uncommon for divorcing parties to limit each other’s access to their child or children during a divorce. False allegations can fly from both camp and this makes awarding custody a very muddy process, even to people who have the best intentions.
Ideally speaking, an attorney will work directly with a qualified and licensed private investigator during the pre-filing phase. This is so that they can make sure that all concerns had been addressed before a proper case was filed in court.
Doing this also means a shorter child custody case because all the needed information will be ready and presented the best way possible at the start of the case. Shorter duration for the child custody battle means less emotional scarring for any child or children involved.
More so, the clearer the facts are, the faster a custody battle will be decided, and the sooner the child can be out of any possible danger.
What’s Involved in a Child Custody Investigation?
A lot of things! The private investigator (or child custody investigator) can document any important information during visitation and exchanges to have a record of how the child (or children) was treated when with each parent.
If there are allegations of abuse or mistreatment, the private detective can also question witnesses, interview relatives, and perhaps conduct background checks on both parents.
An experienced private investigator will also go and conduct an on-site assessment of where the child is staying to determine if it is a suitable environment for a child. Cleanliness, who are the other people living in the home, and any danger are all factors that an experienced private investigator will take a note of.
Sometimes, a private investigator will also make use of video surveillance to document if a parent is exposing the child to questionable people, if the child was seen with unexplained bruises or injuries, or if the parent is suspected of participating in reckless behavior.
Why Hire a Licensed Private Investigator?
Any evidence for a child custody case must be acquired legally for it to be admissible in court. Licensed private investigators are fully aware of legal protocols for acquiring information as well as can provide expert testimony if required in court.
If you suspect that your ex might be abusing your child (or children) in any way, substantiating that can be very difficult. A licensed private investigator can assist and guide you plus keep a record of whatever they observe once hired. They can also observe the other parent through surveillance if you suspect the other parent of reckless behaviour or neglect. They can also uncover medical records for treatments your child may have undergone to treat unreported injuries. Lastly, private investigators have the skills and resources to provide useful video and photo evidence that can be used in court.
