civil

There must be a variety of theories as to why Miranda Rifenburgh abandoned her children on January 14. But regardless of why, the more important question is what now for Rifenburgh? Criminal charges will be the least of her worries.

No doubt New Hampshire's Department of Children, Youth & Families have filed a care-and-protection case against Rifenburgh. What will follow is a case that Rifenburgh is unfit to care for her children. Then, a judge could find her children in need of care and protection, or even terminate her parental rights forever.

The Governor of Massachusetts has made it a status offense for a child to engage in acts of sexual exploitation.

In November, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law “An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People.” The law creates a new category of Child in Need of Services cases for “sexually exploited children”. It also imposes new requirements on DCF and mandated reporters regarding the reporting of children alleged to be victims of sexual exploitation. The law becomes effective February 19, 2012.