What do you do when you know a child is being abused but you have no proof?

Question

I know in my heart as a mother this is happening. She not even two years old and has large bruises on her butt that I know could not be from falling. Her mother is known to have a temper and to spank her too hard, and her boyfriend is just as bad and worse with his temper and discpline.
But, what if I call it in and mom says her child fell?

Answer 1

You can make an anonymous call to Child Protective Services. They will interview you on the phone (or in person if you wish) and you can tell them your suspicions in detail. They will take the case under advisement and check it out. It is your responsibility and it is the law to report suspected abuse of a child or elderly person. The investigation itself may be enough to get the mother to stop and seek help or get rid of the boyfriend.

Answer 2

Have you ever seen this mother spank her child? Being known for spanking and actually spanking is two different things. IF you are going on gossip reports with that you could be making a mistake. How did you see these bruises? Did you change her diaper and see them? Are they visible around the edges of her diaper. Have you seen the boyfriend spank her? Have you seen his temper personally or are you going on gossip? You have to be very careful when you start making accusations about child abuse and calling the authorities. You can ruin someones reputation and cause them all kinds of grief. If you have proof, not just some feeling that this is happening then you should call. She could also have a health condition that causes these bruises so you need to get your facts straight before you start making accusations. If she does have a health condition that causes these bruises they would be all over her body, have you noticed any other bruises? You never know the body is a weird thing sometimes. I know you want to help her, and you should, just make sure you have facts before you call someone, OK. Feelings can get you in trouble. And you will be asked questions like this when you call, so think about it.

Answer 3

Please see the link below under the "Source" section. The page has advice if you need it and phone numbers at the bottom for you to make a call.

Professionals can tell very well whether an injury is from an accident or an attack. Try not to worry about what may happen; it is up the experts to deal with everything once it is brought to their attention. You're part is done in making the call- and just making that call can do a tremendous amount of good.

Another thing: don't listen to people who tell you to ignore obvious or even probable signs of abuse. Often they are doing a little abusing themselves and need to be exposed. More than a few studies also show that many child abusers are simply bullies and cowards who are afraid to face an adult, and so take out their frustrations on those weaker than themselves. See http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/stats.htm

One more thing: God bless you for caring! The world is made a much, much better place though people like you. :-)

Answer 4

You can call with the allegations and let CPS do the investigation. They are trained to look at location of bruises and bruise patterns. They also know how to interview people to get answers. Why anyone would spank a child under 2 is a beyond me!!!

Kev's Wife makes a great point, though. I didn't know anything about that until my neice was born (she's biracial). I'd still say call because it sounds like they need some parenting classes at the least!

Answer 5

This is what many people say who are turned in... it won't matter- she will then be on the "watch list", and the situation will have at least been investigated. Even if you can't prove anything, you don't have to. Basically, the parents have the burden of proof to prove that they haven't done anything. I am a childcare provider, and as such, I am also a mandated child abuse reporter. If I suspect that a child may be in a situation that needs intervention, I HAVE to contact CPS or risk fines and imprisonment. I don't have to prove anything... I just have to report it if I have a suspicion. Any marks on her body will be investigated and documented. How is it that you came to see these marks on her bottom? If you are a caregiver, you are also a mandated reporter, so you need to report this. Bottom line... let CPS decide if the call is warranted or not- just call. You could be the one person who changes this child's life if something IS happening to her.

Answer 6

If you have personally seen the bruises on the child, then you have every right to report it. I was raised on spanking and I will spank my children too when needed, but my parents never once bruised me. Once you report it, it's up the child services or the police to make the decision to believe the mother's story or not. Wait until you know the child has a visible bruise and report it. Best of luck to you. You're doing the right thing.

Answer 7

This is tough...
Call Department of Human Sevices. You have the obligation to call and report suspected /actual child abuse being in the daycare field. Period.
You should also start documenting each and every incident and back it up with photographs. Details are important.
The problem is, the child is 2 and cannot speak for herself. Be her advocate and do what needs to be done. I know you may feel uncomfortable if this isn't the case, however how will you feel if it actually WAS the case and you did nothing.
Tough call, I agree... Enlist some assistance if you have any and the best of luck to you !!!!!!!

Answer 8

You are the eyes and voice of that poor child. You need to take photo's of the bruises if possible and write out the date, time, name of child, etc of when you saw it. You also need to call your local law enforcement and ask who you report this to. They may come and take a report, but it's better if you ask for social rehabilitation services. They're more the experts in the area. Actually, that's if your local police department doesn't have a crime unit which specializes in this area. Two year olds are exceptionally difficult as they don't actually "talk" yet and can't tell the officer what happened. Again, your the eyes and voice of that child.

Answer 9

The Mom will definitely say the child fell and Child Protective Services knows/expects that so after they investigate they will also do follow up visits to ensure that the child is not "falling" too often.

Call it in. The moment you were let into that childs life you were given a responsiblity to protect it. Maybe it's the purpose of your ever coming into contact with this family.

Answer 10

Call the authorities. Bottom line is Pediatricians know what they are looking for. If it is abuse then it will be found out. I hope that this is resolved. I hate to hear when someone is abusing their child.

If the child is an African American child there is a mark that they are born with and can stay all their life that is on the lower back down to the bottom. They are born with this and sometimes they go away at about 2 years of age. Just a thought.