quote:


I notice no-one has answered my question here.


Here is what would happen in the UK if a third party (ie not the child) reported abuse:

- first thing is that Social Services would check with other agencies (eg the child's school)
and then call at the house to see the mother and the child. If there was no-one home, they'd call
back, or leave a card

- if there was someone home, they'd say that there had been a report of abuse/neglect and
talk to them about it

- if they thought there was immediate danger to the child, the police would be called and the
child would be taken into protective care

- however, this is rare, because there would have to be clear and obvious signs (like
total neglect - the child being filthy, unkempt, injured or gravely ill)

- if no immediate danger was present, but the Social Services were still concerned, they'd
advise the mother as to steps that needed to be taken, and schedule another visit, very soon

- they'd leave


If this is what also happens in the USA, it seems to me in this instance that unless the boy pipes up and speaks against his step-father (for abusing him) AND his mother (for neglecting him) he would not be taken into care on that day, but left in their care, AT SERIOUS RISK.

Social Services cannot and will not take a child away based on what a third party says, UNLESS they see/hear evidence of it themselves (or unless that third party is the police).

That is why I advocated being extremely careful how this is handled. It's not enough IMO to just tell Social Services, unless you can be 100% that the boy will be removed on the first visit. Otherwise he could just be left there to suffer more. I cannot see that they would take him away just because of his tonsils (which, after all, appears to be the only actual evidence - everything else is hearsay - unless the OP has actually witnessed any violence, etc, or unless the boy actually says something, which IMO he is unlikely to in front of his mother)

In the UK, the Social Services have the MOST power if someone has called the police first - ie there is clear evidence that a child is at so much risk that it's a police matter. If the police are called in, and are convinced, they have the power to tell Social Services to come in right away.

Is it any different in the USA?

quote:

ORIGINAL: MyMasquerade
This is basically how it is here. I really don't think anyone would do anything. As someone pointed out the doctor didn't report it. I called the police because we live in a small town and I knew they would answer all my questions. They said in a case like this there isn't much they can do.

Calling social services really wouldn't do any good I don't think. I don't think they would do anything for him because it isn't obvious harm.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MyMasquerade
The dad and mom both have drug habbits but that isn't something I can prove so there isn't anything I can do with that information. They both have meth problems and she drinks all day every day.

quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59

quote:

ORIGINAL: MyMasquerade
The dad and mom both have drug habits but that isn't something I can prove so there isn't anything I can do with that information. They both have meth problems and she drinks all day every day.

Is it a criminal offence over there to be drunk or high on drugs whilst "in charge of children"?

Also, do you ever see drug dealers coming to the house? Or do they go out to score? (How do you know about their drug problem?)

quote:

If drugs and violence are suspect then an investigator may take law enforcement or even the drug unit with them on the initial interview to speak to the parents. Obvious evidence can lead to search warrants and criminal investigations. All children and parents are interviewed separately and without others watching on. While there are those children who will lie to protect their parents out of fear or loyalty others may be anxious to share their secrets. There are so many senarios that may or may not take place depending upon what investigators find. The purpose of CPS is child protection.

In theory.

In my experience, CPS is way more worried about the method good parents use to spank their children than drug use and porn viewed in the presence of children in another home. Yes, seriously.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

I think that has been pretty well outlined. Her helping like she already is, contacting the schools and things along those lines.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

I think that has been pretty well outlined. Her helping like she already is, contacting the schools and things along those lines.

So you're saying contact the schools, doctor, etc. and let them determine of social services needs to get involved, rather than contacting them herself?

quote:

ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

OK. I agree with you that getting CPS involved via that route is the best.

But CPS is the organization that is supposed to be brought into a situation for instances like this. If she isn't supposed to get CPS involved, then who IS she supposed to get involved to get these children taken care of? That's what I'm asking about.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

quote:

ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

OK. I agree with you that getting CPS involved via that route is the best.

But CPS is the organization that is supposed to be brought into a situation for instances like this. If she isn't supposed to get CPS involved, then who IS she supposed to get involved to get these children taken care of? That's what I'm asking about.

The CPS system is broken. If you keep using something that is broken, chances are that it'll get worse.

Church, family, neighbors, friends should be how this family is helped.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TorchHeart
OK. So all of you who are advocating NOT getting social services involved with this family's problems because of your own personal conflicts with your local chapter, what ARE you suggesting this woman do?