How to pursue suspicion of a parent falsely obtaining/creating doctor's notes to excuse a child from school?

Question

School receives a fax or photocopy of what appears to be an official and valid doctor's note indicaticating illness of the child, with a signature appearing to be that of the doctor. Suspicion of fraud is based on high frequency of these notes and the apparent readiness of the doctor to submit them to the school for minor symptoms (with which most children still come to school). Parent is suspected of having Munchaussen by Proxy (kind of like hypochondria about someone else's perceived/imagined illness), thus keeping the child home for excessive and unnecessary absences. Handwriting on Doctor's notes does not seem suspicious. I wonder if there is a legal way to contact the doctor's office to verify that these notes are originating from the doctor and are not being fabricated by the parent who could have illegally obtained the doctor's note pad...

Answer 1

If you are concerned with the legality of speaking with the doctor's office, don't be. It is quite appropriate to bring suspicious activity to their attention.

If you, in any way, suspect the doctor's note may not be authentic, you should contact the physician's office. Speak directly with the doctor, his/her nurse or the office manager to try to maintain the student/patients and parent's privacy. Advise them you need to confirm the authenticity of the note in question. They are not violating the patient's privacy confirming their presence in the doctor's office on the dates in question, because the patient has already provided this information to the school.
The physician should know this is occurring. If the notes are legitimate, there should be no harm.

Is there a possibility of requesting the original document from the parent?

Answer 2

When a doctor signs a note saying that his patient is sick and can't come to school the principal has the right to verify that the note is authentic. It is like saying "If you have any questions, please call me."

My concern is that you are quick to judge a parent who may or may not have a very serious and dangerous disease such as Munchaussen by Proxy.

My questions are:
Who suspects the parent of this and why?
Has the parent been diagnosed by a doctor?
Do you suspect this because of something you heard thru the grapevine or is this a valid concern?
Where did you get the idea that this parent"stole" a doctors note pad?
Do you realize how difficult that is to do these days?
Have you contacted the parent yet and asked for verification that the notes are valid?
Have you spoken to the child, spouse, friends of the family or other family members such as grandparents?
In other words, have you done your research?

I am also worried about the fact that people are so quick to tell you to call Children's Services without all of these questions being answered.

I went thru HELL as a state child. I was sent to numerous homes that were abusive beyond what my parents ever did to me. Granted my parents deserved to have us taken, but I know people who had there children taken because of vindictive, hateful and spiteful people who were clearly trying to seek revenge on the parent for some wrong they supposedly did.

The kids had to pay, not just the parents, by being seperated from all they knew and loved for no good reason!!

My heart cries for this family who may be targeted by hateful people who are attempting to get back at this parent.

Before you call, do your research!! PLEASE!!
Remember, the law states that a person is innocent until PROVEN guilty!!

Answer 3

We all know.. or those of us who 'know' know.. that this is most likely a silly question.. So, before I get thumbs down, I want to say that my little one played hooky one day last week too... but ended up getting sick the day after... so Karma got us.. I guess.. Anway, I would say that she stuck a crayon up her nose.. she's young enough that they would believe it.. and it would still be a cute creative excuse.. Gawsh.. I can't even think of good things to say.. all these 'hatin' parents'.... Lighten up.. the kids go to school 180+ days a year... let them have a day off once in a while!!

Answer 4

Call the doctor's office, the number should be on the pad. Otherwise,request the parent come in for a required meeting and request an encounter form also known as a HCFA 1500 form. It's kind of like a doctor's reciept for the visit. All doctor's must fill one out BY FEDERAL LAW! If you feel the child is in true life-threatening danger, then call DCFs, Department of Child and Family Services to report truancy and possible child abuse.

Answer 5

You absolutely have the right to contact the doctor to verify the information. It isn't like you are attempting to obtain personal information about the child, only the validity of the note.

Answer 6

How old is this child? How do you know that it's not the child who is faking these doctors notes?
If you suspect the parent is endangering the welfare of a child, then child protective services should be contacted.
If there's a chance it's actually the child who's faking these notes, then it should be investigated by the school through the parent(s).

Answer 7

Do your research carefully.How do you know it was the parent and not the child.?.The parent and child may both be innocent victims in all this.Get the truancy office to verify the note from the medical practice.

Answer 8

Have the truancy office contact the doctor. The doctor can't tell you anything about the patient but can tell you if that is his signature.

Answer 9

Schools do verifications all the time.

Also, Child Welfare can be called, especially if the parent is suspected of abuse. Munchaussen by Proxy IS abuse.

Answer 10

I would have the school nurse call and confirm. also if there is a question of a doubt then the principal and the superintendent need to take care of the situation and report it to the proper authorities.