In a case of first impression, a split state appeals court held that a woman who entered an accelerated rehabilitative disposition program after being charged with child endangerment was wrongly denied an evidentiary hearing before the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to dispute the facts recited in two abuse reports.

The Commonwealth Court panel in J.F. v. Department of Human Services ruled in favor of the mother, J.F., who was ordered into ARD following her arrest for child endangerment.