sexual allegations

This is in regards to my 5 1/2 yr old stepson. One yr. ago this child made sexual allegations against my husband and I. After an investigation, which was unfounded, the child and parents did not receive counseling or other services from DCFS. The child did not make anymore allegations, until around December. These allegations first focused on his father, then the child was making statements about people who did not exist.(i.e the child said "a boy named dog from a neighboring city". the confusing part about this statement is no one on either side of the family,
knows anyone in this city, and has never been there.)
  Prior to and during all of this, my husband and I have been involved in a custody suit.  8 months prior to the allegations against us, the child made statements to his father and I that his mom's boyfriends son age 12 was touching him. at that time the child resided with us.
  Some other facts that may be helpful. When the child first made allegations regarding us, he was on a visit with his mom.He had been residing with us for 2 yrs. (she brought him over for a visit, left the state and country. then 9 months later showed back up wanting the child back.) At the time of the allegations, and with the custody suit we decided to let his mom have "one more chance". Since then he has resided with her, (it will be one yr. in april). This child has always had alot of aggression and behavioral problems.(acting out for attention, stealing, lying,
severe temper tantrums ect). When he rueturned to live with his mom, she was pregnant, so the child lived with his mom just 6 months before the new baby. Then a month later the child started kindergarten. He was having major problems, behavior, speech and academic, so in January he went to a different school / teacher,
half day instead of full.
I'm sorry if I sound confusing or rambling.I'm trying to give you as much info as possible. My husband and I are worried and really don't know the best way to address these issues. We know that this child has always acted out to get his mom's attention, and are wondering, is the child just continuing these statements,
(the absurd ones) to get his mom's attention? His mom wants to cease all visitation with EVERYONE,including school, so she "tell" if something is going on. The child stated last week he did not have a bed at his mom's. We confirmed that last night when we went to get him. Another factor is that he has always called his moms boyfriend "dad" just the same as his father. When the allegations were made against my husband, he stated "dad", we know that DCFS did not question as to which dad.
So with all of that..... should we notify DCFS about the statements, even though he has not made them to us? When his mom notifies us of these statements, we don't want to discipline this child for lying, and when we question him he just rambles. Should we be questioning the child? I am very worried for this child. I also want to get to the bottom of this once and for all for the childs sake. What emotional effects could all of this have. Any suggested reading and /or articles? Once again, I'm sorry this is so long  and confusing. Thank you for your time in reading this.
                                  Kelly  












  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Kelly,

It would be irresponsible of me to speculate about what might be occurring or why your stepson is behaving in the manner that he is.

Suffice it to say that he is displaying serious signs of emotional disorder, and is in need of professional intervention.

It would be very sensible to approach DCFS on a voluntary basis, not so much to lodge any complaint or allegations, but to request help for this boy and the family. Hopefully, part of the process can be a thorough clinical and psychosocial evaluation. Continuation of such inter-family conflict will result in even more serious dysfunction than has alraedy occurred.