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I was not a mandated reporter, but yet I have reported more than a few times. One was a relative because her parents just didn't have the strength to take the child from her. She wasn't abusive, just neglectful - unable to provide basic care - as in changing an infant's diaper only once or twice in a day!
The child was removed and placed with the grandparents - and that gave the grandparents enough backing that they were able to deal with their daughter.
I have reported anonymously when a pregnant woman I know was buying & using drugs and neglecting her other kids. In this rare case it actually worked as she was forced to take drug tests, complete parenting classes and her kids were with their grandparents who were a good influence. I saw her recently and she is not using illegal drugs and she should have her kids back soon.
OP - if you know a child is being abused or neglected WHY WOULDN'T YOU make a call to CPS? What if YOU were that child?
Now, what may be frustrating is that you will have no idea of what is happening or the timeline involved.
In my area, CPS will triage the situation. In a true emergency the police are called and the child may be removed within minutes of the first call and probably the adult will be immediately arrested and taken to jail for child abuse. Now, in critical, but not real emergency situations, CPS makes a visit within a specific time period, perhaps 24 or 48 hours of the call. In more routine situations, perhaps where more neglect is involved rather than suspected physical abuse there is another timeline for the first visit, perhaps 72 hours or even a week.
And after you report you will not receive any feedback. There may be many things going on behind the scenes, such as additional evaluations, spot visits, requirements for parenting classes, etc. that you may never learn about. If it is a "questionable situation" (ie. not real clear cut) there may be weeks of additional assessment.
Now, what may be frustrating is that you will have no idea of what is happening or the timeline involved.
In my area, CPS will triage the situation. In a true emergency the police are called and the child may be removed within minutes of the first call and probably the adult will be immediately arrested and taken to jail for child abuse. Now, in critical, but not real emergency situations, CPS makes a visit within a specific time period, perhaps 24 or 48 hours of the call. In more routine situations, perhaps where more neglect is involved rather than suspected physical abuse there is another timeline for the first visit, perhaps 72 hours or even a week.
And after you report you will not receive any feedback. There may be many things going on behind the scenes, such as additional evaluations, spot visits, requirements for parenting classes, etc. that you may never learn about. If it is a "questionable situation" (ie. not real clear cut) there may be weeks of additional assessment.
They called me 7 times yesterday for more information. They were having difficulty finding the mom. Moms rights were terminated and I don't have the fathers full name or address. So they were trying to connect the too.
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