He failed to contact the local police despite the fact that the child was obviously in danger.
( Caution
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
O NOT use e-mail to report child abuse or neglect. It causes delays and confidentiality may not be ensured.)
It is important for every person to take child abuse and neglect seriously, to be able to recognize when it happens, and to know what to do next. Care enough to call the state's child abuse hotline:
1-800-25-ABUSE (Illinois)
1-800-358-5117 (TTY)
217-524-2606 (outside Illinois)
WHAT ARE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?
Hotline social workersthis year will handle nearly 125,000 reports of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caretaker, someone living in their home or someone who works with or around children. The mistreatment must cause injury or must put the child at risk of physical injury. Child abuse can be physical (such as burns or broken bones), sexual (such as fondling or incest) or emotional.
Neglect happens when a parent or responsible caretaker fails to provide adequate supervision, food, clothing, shelter or other basics for a child.
WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE HOTLINE?
You should call the child abuse hotline whenever you believe that a person who is caring for the child, who lives with the child, or who works with or around children has caused injury or harm or put the child at risk of physical injury as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Some examples include:
If you see someone hitting a child with an object.
If you see marks on a child's body that do not appear to have been caused by accident.
If a child tells you that he or she has been harmed by someone.
If a child appears to be undernourished, is dressed inappropriately for the weather, or is young and has been left alone.
These are a few situations when you should call the hotline. Use your own judgement and call the hotline whenever you think a child has been abused or neglected.
WHEN SHOULD I NOT CALL THE HOTLINE?
Some situations do not require calling the hotline. Use good judgement. Call only when you think a child has been or will be injured as described above. Some examples of when you should notcall the hotline include:
Situations where a child is causing a problem that concerns you, but the problem is not related to abuse or neglect. In some cases you may wish to call law enforcement or talk to the child's parents or relatives.
Domestic situations where family stress is evident, but the child has not been abused or at risk of abuse. Community service agencies are often available to help.
If you're seeking information about DCFS or its programs, please call your local DCFS office.