Child abuse???

Question

I have a little cousin, she is four and I'm really suspectign child abuse.
My aunt is disabled and she's on a wheelchair, she's got two kids, agirl, 4 and a boy who's 13. They live with my grandmother and I suspect the girl is being abused, maybe her brother, but my aunt and grandma seem to ignore it, more than ignore it I think they want to believe that's notpossible although there are some signs.

Sometimes if they are alone in the same room for a couple of minutes maybe watching tv, the girl would start yelling or crying without a reason and she won't tell us what's wrong. She is generally weird, speaks very littel and always, always looks sad.

I feel like I have some responsability cause my aunt and grandma really can't cope by themselves ( economically they are fine, but I think they are not watching the children close enogh), but they won't listen either.

Is there anything I can do or should I leave them with their own family issues.

Well the problem is that there is more, both are adopted and the boy knows it and he know she's not his real sister. But the hard part is that they were adopted ilegally (both their mothers were gonna get an abortion and my aunt convinced them not to do so). Should I call social services even though, they could go to jail??? I feel Like there's nothing I can do, no matter what, someone might end up hurt.

Answer 1

Don't ignore this. The child needs you. Report this to the children's aid or some social worker to investigate it all. You could be the one person to save her from a life of hell.

Answer 2

Even though you do have the responsibility, accusations of child abuse are very serious ones. You need to talk to the girl and if I were you I would also talk to the grandmother. The problem is that if your accusation is unfounded, family relations can really come to a screeching halt. Talk to your mother to see what she thinks.
Child abuse occurs when a child is disciplined to the point where it is bruised or otherwise physically harmed, medically neglected, starved---anything that has negative physical consequences for the child.

Reading what you wrote there I think that you suspect sexual abuse.
No advice is really good here. Consult with your mom, consult with your grandmother. I am not saying to look the other way. I am saying be careful, and if you find that you have sufficient reason to believe that she is being abused, inform your local Children's Services and let them handle the rest....good luck

Answer 3

You CAN"T leave this alone. You protect children even if they are not yours and are being possibly abused even by a little brother. Call CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES in your area immediately. You can remain anonymous if need be. This cannot wait. I would also secretly spy on them once you leave the room as well to get a better understanding. 4 yr olds are old enough to like the attention to even do it by crying and acting up. Especially if she feels like that's the only way to get attention. Does the boy get into trouble when she screams? I would peek in on them and call CPS. They are open 24 hours a day. They will ask you alot of questions and assess weather or not they should come out. If they come out they will interview the kids seperatly and the adults and try to help them. DO IT!

Answer 4

Some signs of abuse are just what you expressed (shyness, crying and the sadness) when your cousin is crying is the 13 year old boy in the room? You must rise to meet the challenge, if you help her then you may save her years of trauma, if you don't then you are doing a great injustice to her. I was molested and I wish there was someone I could have told. I am an adult now, but I carried the guilt inside for years that it was my fault and I was around the same tender age. I* urge you to look deeper and consult with a professional as well.

Answer 5

Call the police. Protect the child, not the adults. Obviously, these adults are more concerned about possibly being inconvenienced than to do what's right for the child. It'll be a hard road, but if you have a chance to help this girl, please do.

If the aunt and grandmother go to jail, remember it's because of the bad choices they made, not because of anything you did. You're a strong, caring cousin for wanting to help this little girl. Thank God for you.

Answer 6

If you leave them alone with their own family issues and you are right, and she is being abused would you be able to live with yourself?

Your only option is to report this to social services, they arent perfect as anybody can tell you but they will have experts available to talk to everyone involved.

If you are right then you may have helped your cousin, if not then your family are going to be mad at you for 'interfering'. However they will still be mad at you (probably) if you report this and you are right.

I dont envy you your position but you have to put the welfare of the child before any family issues.

Try calling the people at the site below...

Answer 7

I think I would talk to child protective services. If it is happening then something can be done to stop it. You can make an anonymous phone call if you are concerned that it might cause family problems. I really feel for you. I hope you choose to make that call because the most important thing is to protect that innocent child.

Answer 8

Yes let Social Services know before something happens. That little girl will know someday that her cousin saved her. Sorry for what will happen to your Grandmother and Aunt hope nothing to bad. You may want to discuss this with your mom before you do anything. If there is abuse or molestation. And you are the one to stop it God will reward you richly. May God Bless You.

Answer 9

I think you need to offer to spend a day alone with your cousin. Ask her open ended questions, but be careful not to lead her in any answers. Tell her that you love her very much and if she ever wants to talk to you about anything at all, she can. Casually ask her what her and her brother do together, start with asking her what fun things they do, and then ask her if she ever gets mad at him...does he ever hurt her..ect...just make sure that you don't put any idea's in her head. If she opens up to you, don't panic...be calm and don't accuse to quickly. Talk to your mom about the situation.....bottom line, if this little girl is being abused, it needs to be stopped. But it is also a very serious allegation, so you need to be sure. Good luck, and my prayers are with you and your family.

Answer 10

It think of the two one in all them choose extra interest, animal abuse, and newborn abuse. for my area they are the two as undesirable a one yet another. No residing creature could bypass in the process the abuse some bypass by.