Protecting the well-being of a child is the primary concern and duty of any parent or guardian. In cases of a split family or home, this can prove to be much more difficult. A concerned parent can find that they have limited tools and resources to determine if their concerns are justified. Many turn to professional private investigators for child custody investigations to find the answers.
Private investigators focus on gathering objective, legally admissible evidence to evaluate a parent’s fitness and ensure a child’s safety and well-being. During child custody investigations, professionals look for evidence and behaviors like:
- Parental Behavior and Safety: Documenting signs of neglect, lack of supervision, reckless driving, or substance abuse (such as alcohol or drug use) during parenting time.
- Living Conditions and Stability: Assessing whether the home is clean, safe, and appropriate, or if there is overcrowding, hidden individuals living there, or constant relocation.
- Exposure to Harmful Individuals: Identifying dangerous or disreputable people who spend time around the child.
- Custody Violations: Tracking missed or late custody exchanges, denied visitation, or situations where a parent drops the child off with others for extended periods of time or the entire duration of their scheduled time.
- Employment and Financial Status: Verifying whether a parent actually holds a steady job, works the hours they claim, or has hidden assets/income relevant to child support.
- Social Media and Digital Footprints: Reviewing online posts, untagged or tagged photos, and checking activities that contradict a parent’s public claims or court testimony.
- Witness and Background Checks: Interviewing neighbors, teachers, counselors, or family friends, and running criminal or public record background checks.
If you have concerns about the well-being or safety of your child, you may want to initiate an investigation to document the child’s status while with the other parent or obtain other specific documentation.
If there’s a problem, it is always best to discover it early. Don’t delay. If you need help or would like to learn more about child custody investigations, please contact Access Investigative Services, Inc. at 407-447-6053.