No one ever wants to suspect child abuse or neglect. There are times, though, when you must follow your instincts. If you suspect abuse or neglect, your call can save a life. Read the following scenarios and answer the questions.

1. Scenario 1: “Tyrone, you know this song. I want to hear you singing it right now,” Cassidy barks over the sound of the CD playing in her classroom. Tyrone continues to look at his feet and play with the Velcro on his shoes. “Tyrone. Stand up. Get up here.” Cassidy pulls Tyrone to his feet, grabs him by the arm, and jerks him to the front of the carpet. “Sing so we can hear you.” Tyrone looks shy and scared. He starts to move his mouth. “You are being disrespectful. Go sit at the table. Now. Put your head down.” She pushes him toward the table.

   1. Is Cassidy’s behavior appropriate? Why or why not?
      No, Cassidy’s behavior is not appropriate. This behavior definitely makes us suspect that Cassidy is capable of emotional and physical abuse. She has unrealistic expectations for Tyrone’s behavior. She excludes him from the group, and she physically moves him from place to place.

       
   2. What steps would you take to respond to this situation?
      Immediately make a report to your administrator. Cassidy’s behavior is harmful. It must be addressed. If you feel safe, you can have a conversation with Cassidy. Protecting a child is worth risking your relationship with your co-worker. You could say, “Cassidy, music time did not feel safe yesterday. I’m worried about your relationship with Tyrone. It seemed like you got really frustrated. Can we talk about ways to work with him?”

       

2. Scenario 2: Your relationship with Tish, your co-teacher has been rocky since the beginning. She does not always show up to work when she is scheduled, and she calls in sick more often that you would like. Today she has seemed really distracted. She knows she is not supposed to have her cell phone out, but she has checked it at least ten times this morning. You’ve asked her if everything is ok, but she just nods and keeps to herself. On the playground, she looks at her phone one more time and goes back inside without a word. You are now alone with 18 children on the playground. While you are summoning help, you see a scuffle in the play house area. A new three-year-old has bitten a playmate. Children are throwing rocks to get her to stop.

   1. Is Tish’s behavior an example of neglect? Why or why not?
      Yes, Tish’s inaction has put children at risk. She is not providing any supervision or appropriate care to the children. She left you out of ratio, and children are getting injured.

       
   2. What steps would you take to respond to this situation?
      Immediately call for help. Do your best to keep children safe. Go to the three-year-old. Use positive guidance strategies to stop the biting and rock throwing. Comfort the victim and apply first aid as needed. Report the situation to your administrator.

       

3. Scenario 3: Inez has been acting strangely lately. She panics every time her mom drops her off in the morning. Lately, her mother has had to carry her in screaming. Inez’s mom is so upset. She clearly has to fight back her own tears as she leaves. You can’t quite remember when Inez’s behavior started, but you know that it has gotten worse. Inez’s mom shakes her head as she holds her and looks at you for help. She tells you, “She starts screaming as soon as the Child Development Center is in sight. Last night we drove by on our way to dinner, and she sobbed and screamed. I don’t know what is going on.” You reach out your arms and ask Inez if you can help her say goodbye to mom. She willingly comes to you. Just then, a staff member brings in breakfast. You feel Inez’s entire body go tense in your arms. She buries her head in your shoulder as if she is trying to disappear. You remember your field trip to the nature preserve two weeks ago. That staff member had been with your class the whole time. You vaguely remember the chaos of getting the children’s hands washed and using the restroom before lunch. Is it possible the staff member had been alone with Inez? What could have happened?

   1. What evidence makes you suspect child abuse or neglect?
      Inez’s behavior has changed. She seems frightened of school and of a particular staff member.

       
   2. What steps would you take to respond to this situation?
      Write down all of the evidence. Immediately report your suspicions. Be prepared to refer Inez’s family to counseling and support groups.

       

4. Scenario 4: Clark walks in to pick up his son, Dakota, from your classroom. “Dakota, get your fat, lazy butt in gear. Your brother’s got a soccer game tonight. We need to get moving.” As he shuffles him out the door, you hear him say again, “Could you get any slower? Man, if I were as lazy as you, my dad would have beat the lazy out of me.”

   1. What evidence makes you suspect child abuse or neglect?
      Clark uses very negative language towards his son. He belittles him. He calls him names. He describes Dakota as lazy. He seems to threaten beating Dakota. At the very least, it sounds like Clark has a history of receiving beatings as a child.

       
   2. What steps would you take to respond to this situation?
      Write down exactly what you heard and said. Write down the time and date. If you see a pattern of abusive or hurtful language, you should make a report. If the behavior seems to escalate and you feel that Dakota is at risk for harm, make a report immediately. If the behavior becomes physical (Clark grabs, shoves, or hits Dakota), make a report immediately.

       

5. Scenario 5: The phone rings endlessly when you call Pablo’s house. He hasn’t been at your program for the past 3 weeks, and you have not been able to contact his mom. Your supervisor is asking whether Pablo’s family has moved or withdrawn from the program. As you are about to hang up, Pablo and his mother walk in. You are very surprised to see Pablo’s 3rd grade sister with them. School started hours ago. When you ask Pablo’s mom where they have been and if everything is alright, she just shrugs. You ask Pablo’s sister how school is going. She just says, “Ok,” and looks at her mom. You suspect this girl has not been in school for weeks.

   1. What evidence makes you suspect child abuse or neglect?
      There is no explanation for Pablo’s absence. It also seems that Pablo’s sister has not been attending school. Allowing a child to miss school for long periods of time without an explanation can be considered neglect.

       
   2. What steps would you take to respond to this situation?
      It is important to learn more about this situation. Do your best to talk to Pablo’s mother. Make a referral to community agencies or your Military Family Advocacy Program. If you see any other signs of abuse after an absence (fading bruises, burns or cuts in various stages of healing), make a report immediately.

       

6. Scenario 6: Cheyenne’s mom, Brandi, has just returned from a lengthy deployment. She was injured in the line of duty and has not been able to return to work. Cheyenne lived with her grandma during the deployment, but she has now returned back to live with Brandi. Since Brandi’s homecoming, Cheyenne’s attendance at your program has decreased. When Brandi does drop Cheyenne off at school, Brandi seems detached and rarely says more than a word or two to you. Brandi does not offer Cheyenne any goodbye hugs or kisses; she simply walks out of the classroom. You have also noticed that Cheyenne is coming to school very dirty and very hungry. This was not the case before Brandi’s deployment.

   1. What evidence makes you suspect child abuse or neglect?
      Brandi’s behavior has changed since returning from deployment. She does not seem interested or connected to her daughter. Cheyenne does not seem to be taking baths or eating enough food at home. The stress related to deployment, injury, and reintegration puts Brandi at higher risk for child abuse or neglect. It is possible that she is experiencing depression and isolation.

       
   2. What steps would you take to respond to this situation?
      Record your observations and make a report immediately if you see a pattern of behavior that indicates neglect. In the meantime, talk to your supervisor about the resources available in your community to help Brandi adjust to life as a single mom after deployment. Encourage Brandi to contact a Military Family Advocacy Program for support.