Child Abuse in Day Care, need answers?

Question

My son decided to tell me today about abuse he recived at day care a little over 4 years ago. He was kicked in the nose by the sitter, but on the day I picked him up she told me that he had just had a little bloody nose that day. I didn't think much of it because it was winter and the air was dry.
I don't know why he didn't tell me about it back then, but I feel like something should be done. What if she's doing this to other children. My son had just turned 5 at the time, but she watches several children including infants.
How long after a crime can I file a police report? Is it too late
now?
Please give me some advise on how to handle this situation as I can't stand the thought of others getting hurt.
Would anyone take my sons word for it even??? He's a very honest young man and would never fabricate a story like that just to hurt someone. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

In New Jersey, when a child is entrusted to an authority figure and something happens that is chargable the charge is automatically upgraded to an aggravated charge. When an allegation involves an authority figure there is no statute of limitations.

Granted, four years have passed between the action and your son's current explaination of the action. Charges would not necessarily be filed, but a report can be filed which will initiation an investigation. Based on the results of the investigation, charges could be filed.

Presuming this was a licensed day care facility, it may be wiser to contact the Institutional Abuse Unit of your state's Child Protective Service. You may get more action this way than through the police.

Answer 2

Two 4 year old boys were laying on their mats to take a nap.
They were several feet away from each other facing in opposite directions, so they would not play, or disturb others.
One decided to jump on the other, the jumper was removed straight away and the other boy told to remain on his mat.
No one was injured, so no need to report. Forgiven an forgotten.
Later that night, the care giver recieved a call saying that
the boy had told his parents that the care giver had hit him in the neck while he was taking a nap. Shocked, she assured the parents that this was not true.......leaving them to make a big decision. What to do??Call the police??Report abuse??
The boy was not lieing, so was very believable to his parents.
The problem is, it just didn't happen that way.
The parents had a meeting with the care giver, having trusted her for years with the care of their child. Feeling that she was being honest also....they had a meeting with all the other parents .
Conclusion..everything was okay at day care. What to do??
Putting the whole story together, the parents reassured their child that they believed him, but that he may not have all the facts straight. Explaining to him how they felt it had happened,
being as he was not in a position to actually see who had hit him.
They saw relief on his face, and all was well. They also learned that it was not the first time the other boy had jumped on him.

Sometimes our children tell us things through 4 year old eyes.
They are not lieing, just doing the best they can. It is very important for them to feel believed. Also very important, as the
parents to research the facts and make sure things are as presented. Remember this is coming from 4 years ago, how good a child can remember , it depends on the child. I think
even one year is a long time for a kid...
Going to the police without facts..not good.

A care giver should have a license..there should be a posted license in their place of business, with a phone number for such reports. If you call it, they can give you answers on how to procede.
I guess it's all about how much trust did, or do, you have in the person you assigned to be care giver of your child. Good Luck
Most honest care givers are not upset by having been reported.
It happens more that you would think, over very little things.

Answer 3

Is she a licensed day care provider? You can call the local licensing board and and report her. If not you can call your states social services department and report her for babysitting without a license and tell them what happened.

Most agencies take these things very seriously. If you dont do anything they will never know until something happens. You really need to report her. At least they can investigate and keep a file on her.

Good luck hun. I have worked in the childcare business a long long time. I could tell you stories that would make your hair curl.

Hugs
Jo

Answer 4

Your sons statement alone will not be sufficient to press charges, but it may be enough to start an investigation against the person. The police can ask other parents and if more than one incident is reported, it will start to form a pattern that could consitute proof in a court of law.

You definitely need to contact the police and file a report. Even if no investigation is started, the person may do it again and your son's report will be important if that happens.

Answer 5

Normally the time to press charges against someone is 5 years so if it's been 5 years then it's too late. You weren't there so you don't know what happened. If it's not too late and it does go to trial the defense may try to put your son on the stand and twist everything he says especially if he was only 5 years old at the time.

Answer 6

You can certainly file a police report. While your case is old enough that I doubt it would go to trial, there MIGHT be other police reports about this person. Perhaps an investigation could be done.

After all, I don't know what sort of motive your son could POSSIBLY have to get this woman busted now...other than it being the truth.

Even if it isn't going to do anything to the woman, it will show your son that you take him and his welfare very seriously. I say go for it.

Answer 7

I would take your son to the police to report the crime. Leave it to them to decide what to do.

It's important to do something because:
1) You want your son to know that when he has a problem you will act on his behalf.
2) The cops will keep an eye on this woman, and at the very least send a social worker to look at the day care.
3) There needs to be something on record in case something else comes up - this shows a history.

I am curious about why this has suddenly come up after so many years. Does your son still have contact with this woman? Has something happened to him recently that has caused him to tell you about this? He may be testing the water with you to see your reaction, before he tells you something else.

Sorry - I didn't want to alarm you, but it's a possibility I just couldn't leave unsaid.

Answer 8

The only way you will find out if you can still press charges is to contact a state attorney's office and ask about the statute of limitations that applies to your case.
They will also tell you IF you have a case, should the statute not have expired.
Share your story with other mothers and encourage them to get their CHILDREN's version of what happened each time they appear hurt, not just the sitter's.

Answer 9

It is not too late...call the authorities today and make a report. Then when child services opens back up on Tuesday call them & make a report! It is never too late to try to save a child!

Answer 10

first off, i think that the time limit is 30 years, so you are well inside that window. that said, it is unlikely that your sons testimony would hold up in court. if criminal charges are acquitted, then file lawsuit. you could prob nail the sitter then. also talk to other parents at the daycare center. let them know, and get together and have her fired. one less sitter on their payroll is definately a more desirable course of action for the center then losing all of their customers.