“Sometimes You Just Need a Hug” – Virtual Visits Between Parents and Their Children

COVID-19 has changed every court in North Carolina in one way or another. In abuse, neglect, and dependency court, the most consistent concern I have heard from parent attorneys over the last few months has to do with COVID-19 fallout affecting visits between parents and their kids.

Suspension of Visits

Since the beginning of the coronavirus, many counties have made heavier or exclusive use of remote technology in lieu of in-person visits. For the people responsible for arranging or supervising visits during an epidemic, the upsides are obvious: for one, less face-to-face interaction means a lower chance of virus transmission. From DSS’ vantage point, virtual communications may be less taxing of resources and time.