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What Is a CYS Investigation?

Luff Strenfel LLP Aug. 30, 2018

CYS stands for Children and Youth Services. Depending on where you live they may be called something different. In Philadelphia they are called Department of Human Services (DHS). No matter what they are called they all do the same thing. Their main job is to keep children safe. If they believe that a child is being harmed in any way they will open an investigation. Once an investigation is open, they will begin to conduct interviews. Depending on the allegation, these interviews can either be quick and painless or they can feel very intrusive and intimidating. The investigators may ask to speak to you multiple times before they conclude an investigation. They may ask to speak to people you work with, or people you interact with on a daily basis.

Once they have concluded their interviews they will either find that the allegation was indicated or not indicated. Indicated means that they have found some evidence against you, or that they believe the victim’s story that something happened. This indication is nothing like a criminal case. It does not need to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt or even a more likely than not standard. The investigator uses their own personal judgement to say whether or not they believe the story or there is enough evidence to believe the story. Not indicated usually means that the alleged victim has recanted their story or there is nothing to back their story up. If you find yourself in the midst of an investigation with CYS you should immediately contact an attorney. Trying to navigate through this system can be scary and confusing. It is important that you have someone on your side that knows the system and can fight for your rights. If you or a loved one is involved in a CYS investigation, please reach out to LHS Law Firm and let us tell you how we can help.