By Rebeca Dorna | Communications
Case by case our services make possible that low-income individuals reach justice. Here is another example.
J. Martinez is the custodial father of six-year-old KDMB, since he was six months old. The child, according to school authorities, has always attended school well dressed in good hygiene and displays leadership among his friends. He was recently registered in the Special Education Program with a diagnosis of combined attention deficit disorder.
The non-custodial mother filed a complaint with the Department of the Family (DF) alleging that the father did not fulfill his educational responsibilities and limited the child's contact with her. After an investigation, the DF’s Specialized Investigations Unit (UIE for its Spanish acronym) charged the father with negligence for failure to comply with mother-child relations and educational negligence for not regularly doing schoolwork at home. They concluded that the father had comprehension difficulties, which affected his ability to understand the minor's academic requirements.
Upon receiving this determination, Mr. Martinez visited our Humacao Service Center to seek legal representation to appeal the decision.
The claim was presented to the Adjudicative Board, an office within the DF that considers and resolves appeals initiated by applicants and participants of the DF benefits and programs. The examining officer's concluded that there was no visitation negligence, nor educational negligence. It was shown that the young father responsibly studies with his son and supports him in completing his homework, using studying techniques that he had learned as a special education student himself. In addition, he has sought the related services that his son needs in response to his diagnosis.
The Adjudicative Board revoked the UIE’s action since it was shown that Mr. Martinez was not negligent and ordered the Administration of Families and Children to remove his name from the Central Registry of abuse cases. This decision represents a recognition of this young father efforts in the academic development of his son, despite his own limitations.
We will continue to support those in need of our services and thank you for helping us do so.
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