What happens when you report child abuse to Child Protective Services?

Question

I was his gf and travelled with him and his three kids this summer a lot.
He hit his kids hard with the hard part of his palm on the lower back of the head. This happened a few times, and he admitted to doing it often.
He turned around, while driving on the highway, and pulled their hair hard while yelling at them.
Hi hit them as hard as he could on the legs several times (again, while driving) until they were all screaming in pain and humiliation.
He took them, for fun, on several dangerous excursions, such as climbing a boulder on the beach that was at least two stories high. They walked very near a steep edge without any assistance or equipment. They are twin boys aged only 9!
He screamed to his 11-year-old daughter, "you're a *****, just like your mother!"
They acted like I was not legit because I'm an ex and bc it happened 2 months ago.

But I had agreed not to report him if he got therapy, and I gave it time. I am not convinced that the therapy is working because I think he has bsed the therapist. She's acting all angry with me bc I don't trust her methods. I thought about it more and thought I should report it, but the caseworker I talked to seemed so skeptical. What will they do? Does anyone know the inner workings of CPS and what will happen to the kids and the father? I submitted it anonymously, but I'm sure he'll know that I did it bc I warned the therapist that I would take further action. Now I'm afraid he's going to take revenge on me by charging me with harassment or something. All I'm doing is thinking of those kids.

I reported it this evening.

Actually, the reason we broke up is because I confronted him on it and told his ex-wife about the abuse. I thought that action would be enough to stop the abuse, but have now thought better of it.

Now that I've reported him, I'm really scared. I'm afraid he's going to come after me with a lawsuit or (less likely, but still possible) his gun. I can't sleep.

Answer 1

As I said earlier you have to report him. Also if you don't report him and someone else does then you can go to jail for failing to report it.

Once a report is made they will make a report in the system and a social worker will be sent to the home address to start the investigation. Depending on what the social worker finds further investigation may take place. If the social worker feels the children are in danger she/he can remove the children into protective custody until the courts decide what will be done. If the social worker sees no evidence of abuse then a report will be made and put on file so if any more reports come in they will be alerted. Once you have a report on file they are suppose to take every other report more and more serious as this gathers evidence for them for a case. They will talk to the children and ask questions usually with a child psychologist in the room and never with the parent (or suspected abuser) in the room. You can give the information without your name and if you do give your name they are not allowed to tell the abuser who gave the information.

Answer 2

You should have had the option of reporting the claim anonymously. Even if you do leave your name and number, that's only for the use of the caseworker. They will not and can not tell the accused who reported him. I think sometimes the accused can figure it out, though. I've heard instances where a copy of the report was given to the accused, and they could tell by what was said who reported them.

If you're concerned, call your local police dept and ask them what they suggest. Maybe you can get a temporary restraining order, stay with friends or family for a bit, or at the very least, stay on the alert. Keep your car in the garage, and all of your doors and windows locked, even when you're home. Install a security system or even just some outdoor flood lights that are motion-activated. Sleep with your cell phone nearby, just in case you wake up and think there's someone in your house.

Answer 3

Very easy solution. Anonymous phone call. You don't have to tell them how you know of the situation. Don't expect the kids to be taken away but if someone from social services shows up at the door to talk to him and the kids maybe it might be a slap in the face that hes doing something wrong and he will change. Worst case scenario they walk out of his home without doing anything. But they will keep an eye out to make sure the kids are not being induced. What you mentioned is not classified as physical abuse but its certainly not healthy and I hope you..or rather his children get some results.

Answer 4

They are required to investigate the report. I hope they do not live with him full time. I hate to sound mean but you should have reported it when it happened. I am curious if you reported it now because you 2 are no longer together or if you did it because you suddenly became concerned. I guess better late than never.
I may sound mean but I have always believed that if you know abuse is happening and you do nothing then you are just as guilty as the person that did the abuse. It is our responsibility as adults to protect children.

Answer 5

Just think of what those kids have gone through and have scarred them for life. No child should ever go through that.They are probably in fear since you left. You might have saved them a beating or two. The child protective service will take your claim about the situation and investigate without his knowledge of who said it. They will talk with the kids without him there and look for signs of problems. You can also call the school and have them investigate for problems at school. Perhaps the counselor will investigate and that may be your chance for child services to actually get off their *** and do the right thing.

Answer 6

When Children and Family are called in on alleged abuse of any kind against a minor they will investigate within 48 hours, depending on the severity of the allegations. And, if the allegations are thought to be true the children will be taken into state custody until they can finish their investigation or until a suitable family member can be found for the kids to placed in their home/s. . (the kids will go into foster care or they'll find a family member who wants them.) If what you say is true then that will happen, and he will probably serve some jail time.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What happens when you report child abuse to Child Protective Services?
I was his gf and travelled with him and his three kids this summer a lot.
He hit his kids hard with the hard part of his palm on the lower back of the head. This happened a few times, and he admitted to doing it often.
He turned around, while driving on the highway, and pulled their hair hard...

Answer 8

When a clamin like that is made, social services will come in and investigate things. In some cases, if it is though to be severe enough, the children will be put in foster care until things have been investigated. Unfortunately, all of these things are things that can't be proved without conrete evidence, such as bruises on the kids. It might be difficult for these kids to get out of that environment. It;s a good thing you got away, though before he started doing things like this to you!

Answer 9

They go after the wrong people all of the time. Instead of going after the real people who abuse their children. First, you have to call around and see if any lawyers are doing pro-bono cases. If not, In every state they're services that are going to assist you for free, just ask any lawyer that you talk to for a local office where they help people without fees. Good Luck

Answer 10

All I can say is that you need to report him. He is causing a lot af harm to these poor children, and it isn't just the physical things that you are seeing. The deep emotional scars that he is creating will take years of healing. He has to be reported. The investigators will take a report from you, and I believe they do it in confidence. They will look into it and talk to other people that you can give them names of and continue to investigate . They will possibly block him from having any further interaction with the children, and it sounds like that really would be best.