Supporting the transfer of legal custody (TLC) to a caregiver during an open investigation regarding that caregiver was the fact that the worker was unaware of the current open investigation.  This was influenced by the many reports made by the mother against the father that had previously been unfounded.  This supported the worker to believe that an investigation resulting from these reports would not be opened for an investigation.  

Additionally, new Judges, County Attorney's, and Child Protection (CP) staff impacted the fluidity of communication making it known that an open investigation existed at the time of the TLC.  Furthermore, increased turnover within CP further impacted communication between the investigation and field units resulting in field staff being unaware of the open investigation at the time of the TLC.  

Further supporting the TLC with this father during the time it was opened for an investigation was the push to engage fathers at the, federal, state, and local levels.  Additionally, the Judge in this case ordered protective supervision of all of the children to this father (caregiver), which further supported the agency moving forward with the TLC.
