Child Protection Unit

The Deputy Attorneys General in the Child Protection Unit prosecute civil dependency/neglect cases, termination of parental rights cases, and Child Protection Registry cases in the Family Court of the State of Delaware. The Deputy Attorneys General in the Child Protection Unit also handle the appeals of these cases to the Delaware Supreme Court.

The Child Protection Unit often works with the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, the Office of Child Advocate, the Children’s Advocacy Center and various law enforcement agencies on cases of child dependency/neglect.

Child Support Unit

The Department of Justice’s Child Support Unit works with the Division of Child Support Services (’DCSS’) to secure approximately $90 million a year for Delaware children. DOJ attorneys represent the DCSS in establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders. The Unit also enforces foreign orders from the other states and various international countries under the Uniform Interstate Child Support Act.

Parents who have questions about child support should contact the Division of Child Support Services. Automated Assistance Lines (AAL) are available toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while Child Support Specialists are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.:

Visit DCSS for more information about available services, how to become a DCSS client, payment options and more.

Juvenile Delinquency & Truancy Unit

The Juvenile Delinquency and Truancy Unit conducts all proceedings involving juveniles in Family Court and truancy issues in Justice of the Peace Courts. The Unit coordinates between police, probation, schools and the courts, and seeks disposition of cases that aim to protect the community while being in the best interest of the juvenile. The Unit recognizes the magnitude and diversity of the issues facing youth today and is committed to crime prevention efforts such as gang-related education, truancy reduction programs, restorative-justice initiatives, cyber-crimes and school crime. For example, statistics show that bullying prevention increases school safety, enhances learning environments, reduces truancy rates and reduces crime. Therefore, the Juvenile Unit has made bullying prevention a main focus by regularly conducting anti-bullying and cyber-bullying seminars to students, school administrators and parents.

School bullying has been a priority for Attorney General Jennings, as well as her predecessors, Attorneys General Matt Denn and Beau Biden. In 2012, then-Lt. Governor Denn partnered with then-Attorney General Beau Biden to persuade the General Assembly to passed two new laws related to bullying in the state’s public schools: Senate Bill 193, which focused on cyberbullying, and House Bill 268, which focused on reporting requirements.

The Department continues to take an active role in bullying and school violence, including through the daily work of its School Ombudsperson, who works with parents, students, and schools to help resolve conflict and protect children.

How do I report child abuse & neglect?
Report child abuse and neglect online, or call the 24-hour report line at (800) 292-9582.

How do I make a complaint of child care violations by a daycare or report an unlicensed child care facility?
To report violations of child care standards, unsafe care or unlicensed care, call (302) 892-5800 for New Castle County or (302) 739-5487 (Kent and Sussex Counties).

Can the Attorney General’s Office intervene in my private custody case because I am not satisfied with a court ruling or my attorney’s handling of my case?
No, the Attorney General’s office does not represent private individuals in child custody cases. The Attorney General’s office is responsible for representing the Department of Services for Children Youth & Their Families and its Divisions (the Division of Family Services, the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, and the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services) in court proceedings.

My criminal case was resolved in my favor or was dropped. Why do I have to deal with a proceeding involving the Child Protection Registry?
A civil proceeding involving the Child Protection Registry is different from a criminal proceeding and has a different burden of proof. The decision as to whether your criminal case and its resolution would bar a civil Child Protection Registry proceeding is determined by 16 Del. C. § 921.

Who is representing me as a parent in my child dependency/neglect case against the Division of Family Services?
You need to call Family Court and ask who (or if someone) has been appointed to represent you in your child dependency/neglect case. Having your Family Court File # and Petition # will help the Family Court in answering your question.

Where can I ask questions about child support?
Parents who have questions about child support should contact the Division of Child Support Services. Automated Assistance Lines (AAL) are available toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while Child Support Specialists are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.:

How old must a parent be to pay child support?
Delaware does not have an age requirement to be ordered to pay child support. A parent, even a minor, has a legal duty to support their child.

If a party is a client of The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), who do I serve legal documents on?
Both DCSS and the DOJ Child Support Unit should be served on behalf of the DCSS client.