Signs of Neglect

Signs of Physical & Medical Neglect:

Signs of Emotional & Educational Neglect:

A child who is emotionally or educationally neglected may:

 

As with emotional abuse, it frequently takes numerous reports of chronic child neglect before CPS will screen a family and investigate. This is because the neglect must not just be a cultural phenomenon or a lifestyle choice. For example: heating with wood, washing in a stream, lighting a home with kerosene lamps, or lighting a home with candles can be lifestyle choices.

It also must be proved that the neglect is harming a child physically or emotionally or is placing the child's safety at extreme risk. Furthermore, the situation must not be temporary due to a life crisis, but rather a chronic situation. For example, one year I had a child who was living in a tent with no running water for several months. However, the family had just moved to the area and was in the process of building a house. The child always came to school fed, clean and adequately clothed, and besides, the parents showed an interest in his well being and education. So although poverty and an inadequate living situation were present, the situation would not be considered a case of neglect because it was temporary and the child’s basic needs were being met.

In order to get action on long-term neglect, it is important to document situations. Being able to give specific examples, such as: “On 1/17 she wore sandals with no socks to school when the temperature was 27 degrees outside,” will get better results than general statements such as, “She is never dressed in warm clothes.”  CPS cannot act on reports of domestic violence or drug and alcohol abuse unless it can be shown that the parent’s actions are putting the child’s safety at risk. If a child is injured during an incident of domestic violence or while a parent is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, then CPS can address the domestic violence or drug and/or alcohol use. However, if there is known domestic violence or drug and alcohol abuse in the home, it is important to include this fact in your report.

Documenting attempts to discuss the problems of neglect with the parents is also necessary. CPS must rule out lack of parental knowledge in order to show neglect. If a child failed a vision test twice but you did not actually speak directly to the parent about the situation, it would not be considered medical neglect. However, if a child had an abscessed tooth that was causing her extreme pain at school and you not only notified the parent, but also provided information on where and how to get free dental care and the parent did not take action, that could be considered medical neglect. 

The difference is that:

  1. The parent is aware.
  2. Attempts to provide services have occurred.
  3. The child is in pain and in danger of further infection.

When considering whether to make a report of possible neglect, you must first consider the protection of the child. Ask yourself, “Is this child in danger?” and “Is the situation affecting the child's physical, emotional or intellectual well being?” If the answer is yes, then a report needs to be made. Assess the current physical, emotional and developmental damage to the child. Consider also the possible cumulative effects of the situation not only on the child’s development, but also on the risk of injury or impairment. Ask yourself what conditions and circumstances exist that affect the risk of future neglect or harm. Keep in mind the parental functioning and motivation to care for the child. Also, remember that the poverty of the parents cannot be the sole basis for filing a report. Families can be poor and still provide adequate care for their children.

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