§ 40-11-12. Award of custody.
(a) If the court shall find that a child is abused or neglected within the meaning of
this chapter, the court shall by decree duly enter process as follows.
(b) Place the child under the supervision of the department in his or her own home if
the court makes a determination that the child will be safely maintained in the home,
or award the care, custody, and control of the child to the department upon terms
as the court shall determine. The court may place the custody of the child in the
department until such time as it finds that the child may be returned to the parents,
or other person previously having custody or care of the child, under circumstances
consistent with the child's safety.
(c) The court may require the parent, or person previously having custody, to undertake
a program of counseling, including psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment as a prerequisite
to the return of the child to his or her custody.
(d) When a child has been placed in the care, custody, and control of the department pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter or of chapter 1 of title 14, the court shall have the power to appoint a guardian of the person of the child.
(e) No petition for guardianship shall be granted unless it contains the written consent
of the parent or parents previously having custody of the child and of the department
of children, youth and families.
(f) The entry of a decree of guardianship pursuant to this section shall terminate the
award of custody to the department and the involvement of the department with the
child and the child's parents. The court may revoke a guardianship awarded pursuant
to this section if the court finds, after a hearing on a motion for revocation, that
continuation of the guardianship is not in the best interests of the child.
(g) Notice of any hearing on such motion shall be provided by the moving party to the
department of children, youth and families, the court-appointed special advocate,
the parent or guardian, and any and all other interested parties.