How can I tell if my child has been abused?
Some apparent signs of possible abuse or neglect to be aware of are physical injuries such as bruises, broken bones, abrasions, burns, etc. Among the less evident indicators are sudden changes in a child’s behavior; a normally quiet and calm child may begin to lash out or a usually lively child can become withdrawn. A child who abruptly begins to put up a struggle about going to daycare is also a cause for concern and should be investigated.
How can I tell if my child has been abused?
Some apparent signs of possible abuse or neglect to be aware of are physical injuries such as bruises, broken bones, abrasions, burns, etc. Among the less evident indicators are sudden changes in a child’s behavior; a normally quiet and calm child may begin to lash out or a usually lively child can become withdrawn. A child who abruptly begins to put up a struggle about going to daycare is also a cause for concern and should be investigated.
What are the signs of daycare abuse in infants?
Infants are far more likely than older children to be victims of daycare abuse; however, they are often silent victims. Unlike older children, babies are unable to tell an adult that they are scared, hurt, or anxious.
In some cases, a parent may see visible signs of injury such as bruises, burns, black eyes, cuts, or abrasions. Young babies rarely injure themselves, but it is quite normal for older infants to experience the occasional injury as they explore the world. Frequent or severe injuries or injuries in unusual locations may be a sign of physical abuse. There may also be behavioral signs.
A baby that is abused at a Dallas daycare may show a sudden fear of people of a certain gender, or people with a physical appearance similar to the abuser (for example, women with long blonde hair). They may cry when being dropped off at the childcare facility or they may show fear when separated from a parent.
A baby who has been abused by a daycare provider may:
- Show signs of shaken baby syndrome, including glassy eyes, lethargy, rigidity, irritability, decrease in appetite, difficulty feeding, or vomiting
- Suddenly cringe from or shun a parent’s affections; alternatively, the infant may become excessively clingy
- Show a sudden change in personality; an outgoing, happy baby may become fussy or withdrawn
- Have a change in appetite
- Have difficulty sleeping
- Regress to past behaviors
- Lose skills
A baby who has been sexually abused at a daycare may:
- Have bleeding or bruising around the genital area
- Have a sudden fear of bathing or diaper changes
- Cry when put in a seated position or lose the ability to sit (because of pain)
- Experience pain when walking
- Suffer from urinary tract infections
More signs of daycare abuse.
If you have any concerns about the possibility of abuse, don’t delay action. Your child’s well being is at stake. Discuss the injuries with your pediatrician and contact your local police department to discuss your concerns.
When you are ready, contact a Dallas daycare abuse attorney. A lawsuit can help you hold your daycare provider accountable for the abuse and may protect other children. To learn more, request our free guide, Preventing, Discovering & Acting on Claims of Daycare Abuse, or contact Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100.
What are the signs of physical abuse at daycare?
In far too many cases, physical daycare abuse goes unchecked in Texas because children are not able to tell their parents what is happening to them. Because young children often do not have the ability or understanding to report daycare abuse, it is all the more important for parents to look for the signs of physical daycare abuse:
- Your child flinches when you raise an arm.
- Your child experiences sleep disturbances.
- Your child has unexplained bruises or other injuries.
- Your child suddenly becomes withdrawn.
- Your child suddenly changes behavior or becomes aggressive.
- Your child voices excessive fear of going to daycare.
- Your child’s behavior regresses – they become very clingy.
See more: Signs of Abuse in Daycare
What are the signs of sexual abuse at daycare?
Sexual abuse at daycare can be absolutely devastating – and in many cases, parents ask themselves why they didn’t know that there was a problem sooner. Children are often too young to tell their parents about sexual abuse, or else they have been threatened by their abuser not to tell. Be sure to look out for the red flags of daycare sexual abuse:
- Your child suddenly becomes withdrawn.
- Your child’s behavior regresses to infant-like actions, such as clinging.
- Your child begins displaying inappropriate sexual behavior.
- Your child shows an unusual interest in sexual topics.
- Your child shows abnormal sexual knowledge.
- Your child becomes inordinately fearful of certain people or places.
- Your child becomes anxious about attending daycare.
- Your child displays sleep disturbances and nightmares.
What are the signs of emotional abuse at daycare?
While most parents are familiar with stories of physical abuse and even sexual abuse at daycare, they may be less familiar with emotional or mental abuse at a daycare. However, emotional and verbal abuse over an extended period of time can lead to very serious and long-term psychological trauma.
Some behavioral indicators of daycare emotional abuse include behavioral problems (such as cruel behavior toward other people or animals), habit disorders (such as rocking or head-banging), age-inappropriate behaviors (such as wetting or soiling) and behavioral extremes (listless one moment and overly aggressive the next).
Some physical indicators of emotional abuse could include a significant change in weight, developmental disorders, and nervous disorders.
See more signs of daycare abuse.
What is daycare neglect?
While many parents are familiar with the dangers of daycare abuse, fewer families are aware that their children could be victims of daycare neglect. While the signs and consequences of daycare neglect can be more subtle than those of daycare abuse, they can be just as harmful and even deadly. What kinds of actions are considered daycare neglect?
- Your child is not regularly fed or given water throughout the day.
- Your child is not given the medication that he or she needs.
- Your child’s diaper isn’t changed throughout the day.
- Your child is left alone and without supervision.
- Your child’s immediate health needs are ignored.
If your child has been harmed because of daycare neglect, speak to a Dallas daycare neglect attorney today about your case and make certain that no other children are injured by your child’s daycare center.
What are some examples of daycare neglect?
You might read about daycare abuse in newspapers, but you likely hear less about daycare neglect. Unfortunately, although daycare neglect gets less press, it is still a dangerous problem in many Texas-based childcare centers. Here are some warning signs of daycare neglect:
- Your child is unusually hungry or thirsty upon arriving home from daycare.
- Your daycare discourages drop-in visits from parents.
- Your daycare has a very small staff, or high staff turnover.
- Your child often comes home from daycare very dirty or with a dirty diaper.
- Your child has unexplained bruises or injuries.
- Your child suddenly begins to act out or display aggressive behavior.
- Your child suddenly withdraws.
Should I call an attorney if my child has been injured at daycare?
In a daycare abuse situation it is always a good idea to consult with someone who has experience in handling these situations and can advise you of the best course of action. It is best to seek out a knowledgeable attorney (who has handled cases like yours before) as soon as you become aware of the incident so that you do not run the risk of going beyond a time limit for taking action.
Could my child’s head injury have been caused by daycare abuse?
If your child suffers a head injury while at daycare, it is vital that you gain a clear understanding of exactly what happened, how it happened, and why it was allowed to occur. Accidents happen every day at daycare centers around Texas – from minor bumps on the head to more serious injuries that could require medical attention and result in long-term consequences. While some daycare injuries are truly “accidents” in nature, others are the result of daycare neglect, negligence or outright abuse.
If your child has suffered a head injury, be sure to get as much information as possible about the accident. Start by having your child examined and treated by a doctor as soon after the incident occurs as possible. And get answers to these questions:
- What caused the head injury? How did it happen? Who were the witnesses?
- Was my child being properly supervised at the time of the injury?
- Was my child injured due to a hazardous condition at the daycare?
- Is it possible my child’s head injury was caused by a physical assault or physical abuse?
- Does the daycare have a history of neglect or abuse, including formal charges?
- Does the daycare use camera surveillance? If so, was the incident captured on video?
- Did the daycare make an appropriate response to your child’s head injury?
- Has my child suffered a brain injury as a result?
Head injuries can have extremely serious consequences, especially for children. It is imperative that you understand how your child’s head injury occurred and that the person or entity at fault for the injury takes responsibility. Our attorneys can help make sure they do. To learn more about your legal options, contact Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100.
My child has been abused at daycare. How should they be medically treated?
Texas daycare abuse can have a lasting effect on children – both when it comes to medical issues and mental health issues.
If your child has been physically or sexually abused at a daycare, it is vital that you immediately get medical treatment. Even if the child seems healthy, he or she may be suffering from internal injuries, fractured bones, or a head injury. Getting immediate medical care is key in your child’s recovery and also important in establishing medical evidence of abuse.
Your child may also need treatment in the form of therapy or medication for mental health issues that follow daycare abuse and neglect. Depending on the age of your child, psychological issues stemming from the trauma they endured could manifest itself in a number of ways – and could take years to surface. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the signs of post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety in children and to be aware of any developing issues as your child ages.
Are you considering a Texas daycare abuse lawsuit? Speak with a Dallas child injury attorney today to learn more about possible legal action.
What are the long-term consequences of daycare abuse?
The consequences of Texas daycare child abuse or neglect depend largely on the extent of the abuse and the age of the child at the time of the incident. However, many child abuse and neglect victims do suffer both physical and mental health issues in the immediate wake of their abuse and in the years that follow.
Aside from physical scars, children may feel the lasting effects of damage to their developing brain or trauma from remembered experiences. While some children may display signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome soon after abuse or neglect, others may not show signs of emotional trauma until years later when issues surface through struggles with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other mental illnesses.
If your child is a victim of daycare abuse or neglect, it is important to seek the appropriate treatment immediately after the abuse is discovered. Your child may need medical treatment as well as therapy in order to manage their trauma.
Are you considering a Dallas daycare abuse lawsuit? The attorneys at the Rasansky | McKenzie Law can help. Call us today for more information.
How should I report suspected daycare abuse?
It can be very frightening to accuse someone of daycare abuse, especially since you often cannot be certain that it has taken place. But if you have mounting suspicions (or have seen warning signs) that your child is suffering abuse while with a caregiver, there are two important steps to take:
- Visit your pediatrician. A doctor, especially one that is familiar with your child, may be able to spot signs of abuse that you missed and give you more information about the situation and the next step.
- Report daycare abuse. Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 to report your case officially. This will usually lead to a state investigation into the childcare facility or daycare center.
- Speak to a lawyer. Call Rasansky | McKenzie Law at (214) 651-6100 and discuss the facts of your case with our team of attorneys. If we feel that we can help you with your case, we’ll explain the options available to you moving forward.
How can I find a safe daycare?
Ensuring that all workers at a prospective daycare have had criminal record checks and fingerprinting done is a good first step to choosing a safe daycare. In addition, parents should ask about any non-daycare workers that may be visiting the daycare and meet not just the administrators but the teachers, workers and anyone that will be having day-to-day interaction with your child. Double-check that the daycare is licensed with your Children and Family Services Office and that there is an adequate staff to child ratio are also essential steps.