Miles v. Child Protective Serv. Dept

Miles v. Child Protective Serv. Dept.,
6 P.3d 112, (Wash. App. Aug. 18, 2000)

Parents filed a complaint,
on behalf of themselves and their children, against the child welfare agency
which took custody of the kids and against the hospital and doctor that cared
for their children. The parents claimed that child welfare workers were negligent
in their investigation which focused on suspicion of Munchausen Syndrome by
Proxy. The Court of Appeals held that the caseworker’s investigation of the
children was proper even though the investigation did not include interviews
with the parents and children and a second medical opinion with regard to moving
the children from their parents. The Court also held that even if the caseworker’s
investigation was found to be negligent, she was immune from liability. The
parents’ claim of negligent diagnosis against the physician and hospital was
dismissed as not supported by any proof of causation.