My question involves criminal law for the state of: Tennessee
I have been falsely accused of sexual abuse against my 5 year old daughter, who has since been adopted by my mother and step-father. I've not been criminally charged with anything yet but, DCS came to my house ( i do not live with them) and drug screened me and the people that I live with and also interviewed everyone within the household.
A detective has called me several times to get me to come in to get "my side of the story". I've been advised by several attorneys to not make a statement even though I'm innocent. I believe that this came about because my parents who had temporary custody of my daughter, got angry with me for making a comment about me not liking the way that my step-father (who abused me both sexually and physically as a child) disciplined her. I was in jail when she was born for some stupid things I did as a teenager, nothing like this at all, mind you. I'm completely dumb to this sort of thing. I'm curious how the investigation works and if they have absolutely no physical evidence...can I still be charged? My parents took the child halfway across the state and kept her there a week before even reporting anything to ANYONE. I believe this was so they could coach her into the right things to say. Since all this came about, nothing has really happened. I got a call recently saying that DCS had put a restraining order against me for my daughter. This was directly after I told the detective I wouldn't be coming in to make a statement. I'd really hate to lose everything in my life over a bunch of lies. I know this situation is very serious. I've been in counseling for awhile getting help for what my step-father did to me. Honestly, I don't have the mentality to ever hurt a defenseless child after all the things I have been through. I'm saddened that my family has to go to extremes like this. I've tried to cooperate with the police as much as possible...I even gave them a DNA sample. I've not had any contact with my other daughter since all this came about. I've pretty much done everything thats been asked of me besides give a statement. Just curious what the procedures are and if I'll ever be able to have my life back? Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

