HB243

RE: HB243 - Relative to the Penalty for False Reports of Suspected Abuse and Neglect Made to the Division or Children Youth, and Families. Mr. Chair, Members of the Committee, As our elected policy makers, you have the greatest ability to reform outdated laws to better protect children and families. I rise in support of HB243 False reports to DCYF, law enforcement or any other agency not only harms the accused, it diverts critical resources that should be used to protect children from real abuse and neglect. This misallocation of time, money, and services undermines the system’s ability to respond promptly and effectively to legitimate cases, ultimately putting children at greater risk of harm. Just as important false reports can violate a parents due process rights leading to wrongful investigations, legal proceedings, or interventions that deprives individuals of their liberty or property without proper legal justification. While individuals are free to speak, knowingly making false report can cross into defamation or abuse of the system. False report further harm a child and parents first amendment right to speech, the ability to communicate with each other and also obstruct the right to maintain a familial relationship with one parent during any investigative process. I support the amendment to include a penalty for professionals that fail to report. Often in separation or divorce cases one parent engages school professionals, therapists and any number of third parties that side with one parent. This bill must pertain to judges, attorneys, guardian ad items, therapists, DCYF professional that refuse to do an intake for a child, stating “it’s a court matter,” as well as the OCA that refuses to do their job, after noting DCYF should have done and intake. Also when OCA asked how old the minor child is, and a parent responds 15, the answer should never be well they will contact you in 3 years. Possibly if they are not further harmed, dead or incarcerated. Former commissioner of DCYF testified there are just north of 20,000 calls to central intake, per year, 10,000 are screened out 10,000 are reviewed for programs and services and they count in the hundreds how many actually go to court. This statistic has also been shared with CFL committee in the past, “According to federal statistics, roughly 83% of child abuse or neglect reports that are investigated ultimately prove to be unfounded or unsubstantiated. Among only those reports that are made anonymously, the number rises to a whopping 96%. This means only 1 out of every 25 anonymous calls leads to credible evidence of abuse or neglect. And many of the other 24 are knowingly false reports, used to “weaponize” the system.” Please vote yes and support this important legislation, to better protect New Hampshire Children and Families.

I submitted testimony on this on the past. I support this and so should this committee.

I support the passing of this bill, I know of direct experience of a family member that was unfairly accused of child abuse without justification from the accuser. Please pass this bill to correct this injustice

Please pass this bill. No one should be able to file a false police report. Children and families are being harmed by this happening in NH.

I support this bill fully as my aunt, Stacey Mottram was falsely accused of child abuse and there needs to be repercussions for those who falsely accuse. Stacey is a loving and caring person who has given her life to her grand kids and deserves to be a part of their lives. I’ve seen these admirable qualities first hand as she helped my mother raise me and my two brothers and was there whenever we needed her during my childhood and throughout my adult life. This bill comes down to holding people accountable and creating a a fair and just process so that my aunt and others alike won’t ever have to endure the pain and heartache of being kept away from their loved ones. Again, I fully support this bill.

Telling the truth is important. Thou shall not bear false witness is one of the Ten Commandments.

I have been made aware of many times the Manchester circuit family court has moved forward with false police reports regarding child abuse. People need to be held accountable and children need to protected. Bills such as this need to be in place in order to prevent abusers from trying to benefit from their child's fear of them.

Dear Committee Officials I support House Bill 243 after what happened to my friend Stacey Mottram. In 2022 DCYF placed Staceys granddaughters Nova and Arya in her care when her daughter Shelbie was deemed unfit. The children were in her custody and care for 9 months . During that time they were loved and cared for by Stacey who is an amazing grandmother . Nova and Arya are so loved by their Mimi and their extended family. Unfortunately Shelbie has decided to cut ties from her entire family including her Mother. Stacey went to court to get visitation to see the girls even if it was an hour a week to make sure the girls were being cared for and to know that she loves them . Her daughter Shelbie made a false claim and police report against Stacey that she was neglectful and abusive towards Nova and Arya the claims were investigated and proven to be false. I believe that Grandparents should have rights , to be able to get visitation and even custody that is court ordered by a judge . Stacey is a wonderful Mimi her granddaughters adore her and she adores them all she wants is to see them and have in person visits. I beg the committee to pass House Bill 243 not just for Stacey and her granddaughters but or all grandparents and grandchildren that have been separated from each other . Sincerely Jonathan West Long time friend of Stacey and her family

Dear Committee Officials I support House Bill 243 after what happened to my friend Stacey Mottram. In 2022 DCYF placed Staceys granddaughters Nova and Arya in her care when her daughter Shelbie was deemed unfit. The children were in her custody and care for 9 months . During that time they were loved and cared for by Stacey who is an amazing grandmother . Nova and Arya are so loved by their Mimi and their extended family. Unfortunately Shelbie has decided to cut ties from her entire family including her Mother. Stacey went to court to get visitation to see the girls even if it was an hour a week to make sure the girls were being cared for and to know that she loves them . Her daughter Shelbie made a false claim and police report against Stacey that she was neglectful and abusive towards Nova and Arya the claims were investigated and proven to be false. I believe that Grandparents should have rights , to be able to get visitation and even custody that is court ordered by a judge . Stacey is a wonderful Mimi her granddaughters adore her and she adores them all she wants is to see them and have in person visits. I beg the committee to pass House Bill 243 not just for Stacey and her granddaughters but or all grandparents and grandchildren that have been separated from each other . Sincerely Emily West Long time friend of Stacey and her family. I babysat her daughter Shelbie and son Darrin when they were young children

Too many time grandparents are stuck in the middle of their child and spouse breaking up and or having relationships issues and they spouse or partner lashes out by trying to keep the kid’s away from the others family members which is not fair! We need to ensure that good grandparents are able to have a living relationship with their grandchildren!!

Just like the Biden administration weaponized the Justice Department, people have weaponized the child abuse laws and DCYF against relatives to gain a tactical advantage in the family court system. And although they may be caught the courts seldom hold the offenders in contempt. Additionally the broken DCYF rarely presses charges against these false accusers frequently citing lack of manpower. With this bill, manpower will be freed up because of the harsh penalty looming for anyone breaking this law. It will also save the accused tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees and lost work while they defend themselves.

I support House Bill 243 100%

I am in support of this law because a very dear neighbor of mine and friend Stacey Torosian. Stacey has lost her visitation rights to her three beautiful grandchildren. Stacey took parental rights for them because of her daughter Shelby overdosing on heroin over two years ago…. The care, the unbelievable nurturing love and relationship that she has with these three girls is unsurpassed. These children came to her undisciplined and no structure, Under Stacey‘s care they were starting to become happy, being adventurous, listening and becoming respectful young women.. Her daughter Shelby‘s lies and disgusting allegations of there being any type of abuse with Stacey is just horrifying to myself and to anyone who knows the relationship that Stacey had with her beautiful grandchildren…. This law should be passed And Shelby needs to be held accountable for her lies, and the abuse that she has put her children through by brainwashing them against Stacey Torosian. Susan Mandrey

A good friend of mine was falsely accused of child abuse when I know, firsthand that my friend was an amazing grandmother to her grandchildren. My friend got custody through the Court & DCYF of her granddaughters (4 & 5 yo) due to her daughter, overdosing on heroin with fentanyl with the children present and has been incarcerated numerous times,( once it was for child, endangerment) this isn’t the first time my friend cared for her grandchildren or else they would’ve went into foster care.I spent a lot of time with them and helping my friend with her young granddaughters bringing them bike riding, pushing them on the swing taking them for walks . My friend is such a loving and caring grandmother , you can see the love they have for her .. Her daughter was being vindictive, and this was a form of retaliation When she would not allow my friend to see her grandchildren when she was reunified with her kids. She was so angry that her mom would not give her the benefits that she was receiving when she had custody of the girls. When my friend went and filed a petition for grandparent visitations that’s when a false report of child abuse was filed in order to block her mother from ever seeing the girls again . This HB 243 is very important. It needs to be passed. There needs to be consequences the repercussions for knowingly filing a false police report or any report with DCYF in retaliation or anger of the other person. Please pass Bill 243 now hate to see this to continue happening to so many good parents and grandparents.

I have a daughter who is 33 years old and I have seen her a total of 70 minutes in the last 26 years because of false allegations. I support this bill because it is the responsibility of the court to find the best interest of the children. Having a child suffer because of angry parents is not in the best interest of the children!

Parents can be vindictive against each other.

I Angel Hannaford support this bill 100 % as I want to make it against the law to accuse someone of child abuse as it is one of the most devaluing thing to do to a good person. I have a good friend/neighbor, whom it my eyes is one of the most wonderful grandmother you can ask for. Not only did she take her grandchildren into her care when they needed it most because the mother was in no position to be caring for children. While the girls were in my neighbor's care, you could tell how loved and happy they were as there was so much love given to them. You can hear their laughter everyday because grandma was always playing with them, taking them to activites like swimming at the pool and you hear them exchange "I love you girls" and "I love you mimi" constantly. They were well taken care and you could tell how much they loved each other. It broke my heart when I heard the girls were taken back to their mom because they were thriving and nuture under the care of their grandmother only to be put back in a negative enviroment in which at one time, they happily living in a positive one under grandma's care. After all her sacrafice, love and care, only to then be accused of abuse is beyond my belief and unfair! The daughter whom falsely acccused her of such accusations shoud be held accountabilty as it is not only criminal but destroyed an innocent person's relationship with her grandchildren which in turn is an abuse to the children and grandmother as well. Falisifications and child abuse should be taken seriously as it does damages in so many ways for the innocents invoved!

Grandparents need to have more rights and say about their grandchildren overall. Especially, when the parents have backgrounds of drug and alcohol abuse along with a history of prison time. Please PROTECT our children of New Hampshire!!

I have personal knowledge of a false police report filed on my mother Stacey Torosian and sworn testimony in the Manchester circuit family court that was false with no repercussions or accountability to my sister Shelbie Anderson. She was being vindictive to my mother Stacey due to my mom , getting Social Security benefits and foster care benefits from the state while she had temporary custody due to my sister Shelbie overdosing on heroin with fentanyl numerous times. And her children, Nova and Arya being placed in my mother’s custody through DCYF . Shelbie did not want my mother to have any contact with her children when she was reunified due to our mother not giving her Nova’s SSDI benefits and foster care benefits ( shelbie stated in a phone conversation to our mother when she had custody that if she did not give her the benefits now because she needed them more than our mother did that she would never see the children again when she got them back ) After my mom filed a petition for grandparent visitation in the Manchester Court my sister Shelbie then went and filed a false police report to keep my mom away from her grandchildren Nova and Arya . If my mom wasn’t granted visitations due to child abuse allegations then nobody, including myself could see my nieces again. And the entire family has had no contact with my nieces in 2 years now , House bill 243 needs to be passed to protect the innocent accused and most importantly the children . . I urge the committee to pass this bill .. please pass this bill now!

I know a family member who has been falsely accused of child abuse by her daughter. Her daughter has had DCYF in her life for neglect as well as drug and alcohol abuse. This individual also lost custody of her daughters while she served in jail. Custody was given to the grandmother. After this individual received her children back she made several false accusations against the grandmother as a form of punishment. The children lived with their grandmother a year. When the mother got her children back she isolated the children from grandmother and family. There has to be some accountability for accusing an individual of such horrible behavior. It’s also a defamation of character. If the grandmother was so bad why would the courts give her custody when the child was neglecting her children. Individuals are using the children as emotional weapons to get revenge on loved ones while manipulating the system. These individuals have no respect for the courts and think they have the upper hand. I support this bill very much. This is an ongoing situation in our country with dysfunction adults raising families. There need to be accountability. Children need there grandparents in many ways. It is the foundation of a family. Especially when children are in problem families. Thank you.

I have personal knowledge of a false report made against a close friend.

My sister, Stacey, had a false claim of child abuse charges filed against her by her own daughter, my niece, Shelbie. These charges were completely bogus and were only used as a spiteful act to keep my sister from seeing her grandchildren. Stacey was granted custody of the children by DCYF due to Shelbie overdosing several times in the presence of the children and being found unfit to care for her children. Once Shelbie obtained her children back she retaliated by filing a false claim of child abuse. She should undoubtedly be charged with the criminal misdemeanor offense of false report as these accusations were completely unfounded. This should not be allowed and those who try to falsely accuse for their own benefit should be held accountable and charged.

I Darrin Mottram have personal knowledge of a false police report filed on my mom Stacey Torosian and sworn testimony in the Manchester circuit family court that was false with no repercussions or accountability to my sister Shelbie Anderson. She was being vindictive to my mother Stacey due to my mom , getting Social Security benefits and foster care benefits from the state while she had temporary custody due to my sister Shelbie overdosing on heroin with fentanyl numerous times. And her children, Nova and Arya being placed in my mother’s custody through DCYF . Shelbie did not want my mother to have any contact with her children when she was reunified due to our mother not giving her Novas SSDI benefits and foster care benefits ( shelbie stated in a phone conversation to our mother when she had custody that if she did not give her the benefits now because she needed them more than our mother did that she would never see the children again when she got them back ) After my mom filed a petition for grandparent visitation in the Manchester Court my sister Shelbie then went and filed a false police report to keep my mom away from her grandchildren Nova and Arya . If my mom wasn’t granted visitations due to child abuse allegations then nobody, including myself could see my nieces again. And the entire family has had no contact with my nieces in 2 years now , House bill 243 needs to be passed to protect the innocent accused and most importantly the children . . I urge the committee to pass this bill .. please pass this bill now!

I Charles Torosian have personal knowledge of a false police report filed on my sister Stacey Torosian and sworn testimony in the Manchester circuit family court that was false with no repercussions or accountability to my niece Shelbie Anderson. She was being vindictive to her mother Stacey due to my sister, getting Social Security benefits and foster care benefits from the state while she had temporary custody due to her daughter Shelbie overdosing on heroin with fentanyl numerous times. And the children, Nova and Arya being placed in Stacey’s custody through DCYF . Shelbie did not want her mother to have any contact with her children when she was reunified due to her mother not giving her Novas SSDI benefits and foster care benefits ( shelbie stated in a phone conversation to her mother when she had custody that if she did not give her the benefits now because she needed them more than her mother did that she would never see the children again when she got them back ) After my sister filed a petition for grandparent visitation in the Manchester Court my niece Shelbie then went and filed a false police report to keep my sister away from her grandchildren Nova and Arya . House bill 243 needs to be passed . I urge the committee to pass this bill .. please pass this bill now!

On 7/6/2023 I filed a petition for grandparent’s visitation after my daughter withheld visitation. Previous to filing the petition, the NH court and DCYF placed both my of my youngest granddaughters Ayra Anderson-Mottram and Nova Anderson with me for 9 months due to my daughter Shelbie Anderson overdosing on heroin (This was not the first or second documented case of drug use or neglect and she is no stranger to the Manchester/Derry law enforcement officers) Nor was this the only time DCYF or law enforcement has place my granddaughters in my care. Family members and close friends whole heartily supported my decision to take care of my granddaughters because I was there for them always regardless of the circumstances. The girls thrived in my care on all levels and I fully supported the reunification with their mother when the time was right. My daughter had other ideas and was livid that I was receiving benefits from the state and Social Security while my granddaughters were in my care and I claimed the girls on my taxes since they were living with me more than 6 months . Shelbie wanted the benefits and felt they were hers. The DCYF case worker tried to reason and explain to Shelbie that the benefits are provided to Stacey for the children. Shelbie specifically stated to the case worker that Stacey will suffer consequences ( This is documented with a North Hampton NH Police report that Shelbie fraudulently filed on myself and my boyfriend for child abuse) . The officer who took the report did his due diligence with interviews, investigation protocols within NH law. My boyfriend and I asked to file charges on Shelbie for knowingly filing a false police report and the officer would if he could but advised us there is no NH law/RSA in place that allows for filing charges against someone who makes a fraudulent police report regarding child abuse allegations. This is without reservation utterly shocking. It is beyond comprehension that there is no accountability for someone who deliberately files false allegations of child abuse. The real victims are my granddaughters because of the lack of accountability of their mothers actions. and the other is the serious fallout if someone has to defend against these allegations, it incurs costs,reputation, possible loss of job and family connections ect. HB 243 is long overdue and needs to be enacted NOW. A copy of the North Hampton NH Police Report will be provided/emailed to committee members. Respectfully Stacey Torosian