I called CPS yesterday :( ~~WEIRD UPDATE POST 103~~ - Page 3

[sugarmoon]

I don't usually post here, but yep, I totally hear you steph, on the benefits of keeping the kiddo in daycare -- a lot of times, in fact, for a 'marginal' case, DCF's solution is to pay for daycare for the very reason you explained.

But, this is clearly medical neglect, and you absolutely did the right thing. I hope you get a good update on tuesday, but if you don't, keep calling! That poor baby needs to be treated (and loved!!!)

[Peacemamalove]

this is why some people should not have children

[melizdean]

I am a social worker, and I agree wholeheartedly that you needed to call. I see families all the time that struggle because their hands are tied about calling CPS (e.g., as the PP mentioned, grandmas don't want to lose the only connection they have to their grandchildren to be helpful, but feel so frustrated that others involved are not reporting on the family, or they have called, but because they are family and not authorities, they are not taking as seriously). Your report will definitely have some impact on this family in a positive way especially if they already have worker! I am glad you got good communication with the police and hopefully the current worker will do what is right for this child. What unnecessary suffering she has endured! How stressful for you to have to watch her suffer!

Keep up the good work and I think you should feel good that you ABSOLUTELY did the right thing!

[DoingDoing:Julie]

Please update ASAP. I have been soooo stressed out for this little girl. I almost didn't post anything because I was so upset and knew there was nothing I could do for that little one. My heart is aching for her, PLEASE let us know!

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by DoingDoing:Julie

Please update ASAP. I have been soooo stressed out for this little girl. I almost didn't post anything because I was so upset and knew there was nothing I could do for that little one. My heart is aching for her, PLEASE let us know!

Thank you, everyone, for your concern. I will know more tomorrow and will update then. I don't work until 3 tomorrow, but I'll stop in tomorrow morning for some other stuff so I'll see if I can get an update then.

[turtlewomyn]

Thank goodness you called CPS. This made me think of a horrible case involving eczema (warning infant death mentioned):

http://www.smh.com.au/national/paren...7.html?page=-1

You may have saved that babies life.

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by turtlewomyn

Thank goodness you called CPS. This made me think of a horrible case involving eczema (warning infant death mentioned):

http://www.smh.com.au/national/paren...7.html?page=-1

You may have saved that babies life.

That's just sick. If the parents really did believe in homeopathy, as opposed to conventional medicine, then why would they rush the mom to the hospital for gallstones instead of trying homeopathy first? Sounds to me like they were either really really ignorant to how bad the baby's condition was or they just didn't give a d*mn. Either way, a sad sad story

[kathrineg]

I hope this baby is doing well...I am really glad you called CPS. That baby is blessed to have you (and her grandmother) in her life.

[calpurnia]

i hope that little girl is okay. i don't normally get worked up about cps threads that i see here, but it totally sounds like you did the right thing.

[Storm Bride]

It's very rare that I say this, but I'm glad you called CPS - definitely the right thing to do in this case.

[Lauren710]

Poor baby.. I'll be waiting for an update, I really hope that little girl is put into a better situation. That's so sad that she doesn't even cry anymore, I can't imagine how much pain she's been through to get to that point

My little girl has a lactose allergy and reflux, it took us 2 months to figure out both issues, and in both cases it wasn't an overnight fix. It's so utterly heartbreaking to hear your little one cry in pain and not be able to make it go away immediately, it's disgusting that those parents would have the tools to help their baby and just choose not to do so

[Sasharna]

Really hoping baby is okay...

[Ironica]

I bet I know why the social worker doesn't know how bad it is... in a lot of jurisdictions, the case loads are such that, if you do *all* the client visits you're supposed to, and *all* the paperwork you're supposed to, you'll work 80-100 hours a week. :-/ So, some workers skimp on paperwork, and some skimp on the visits. Perhaps the last time their case worker saw them, the girl was getting treated and was healing, so the SW thought they could let this one "slide" for a few weeks while they catch up with other people. Which is more the fault of an overburdened system than an individual... but anyway.

I'm glad you called. It sounds like these parents are very dysfunctional. I hope they get the help they need.

[Momma Moo Martin]

Thank you for making the call. I will keep that sweet baby in my thoughts.

[SAHDS]

Saw this on the new posts and wanted to post.

Bless you, Steph, for standing up for that little girl!

[UptownZoo]

Originally Posted by StephandOwen

However, I did not tell anyone else at the daycare that I called. Sad to think that I do have my job I don't want to risk I did tell the police and CPS what daycare it is though so who knows if they'll call on Tuesday.

Well, you don't have to tell anyone. I've made most of the CPS calls I've made in secret. That was usually to avoid the parents finding out who had called (a big, angry dad threatened me one time), but I've worked for a few directors who were more concerned with business than with children. Sometimes they don't want to sound the alarm, even when it's obvious what's needed. You're a mandated reporter, though (of course, your director is, too; she could be prosecuted for not reporting an obvious case of medical neglect), and it would be illegal for you to be fired for reporting. Not that your boss couldn't find some other way to show you the door if she felt like it, but a director with integrity wouldn't do that.

Has your director considered that your license could be at risk over this? Active staph infection in a center is definitely not OK, and might even be reportable. Obviously that's not your issue as a teacher, but as a director I'd be all over this situation. FTR, I'm all for keeping kids in daycare as many hours as possible when I know that things at home aren't very good, but this could be putting the rest of the kids and staff at risk.

[StephandOwen]

Quick update... not much to update. The little girl was at daycare today- the grandma dropped her off and picked her up (which is very unusual since the parents almost always do all drop offs and pick ups). Nobody at the daycare said anything about it so I'm assuming the parents/grandparents didn't talk to anyone about it at the daycare. I didn't say anything about calling to anyone.

The little girl's diaper area looked much much better today so at least some good came from this weekend. Her cheeks were looking a little better but the rest of her body was not. By this afternoon (when I came in) her socks were stuck to her wounds (from them opening and oozing) I know it won't be an instant change but I'm hoping by the end of the week she's looking much better. She did smile a little today so that's a GREAT sign!

[sugarmoon]

That poor baby! I get that kind of excema and it is so painful.

Maybe she is staying with the gramma now? I hope so!

[~Shanna~]

I know this is a little OT and that the baby's parent are not likely to find this information helpful, but my son has eczema that would probably get this bad if we didn't know what the issue was. It turns out for him it's a food issue (digestion, particularly) and we control it and are trying to heal it by following the GAPS diet. I couldn't not share this, even though it sounds like they aren't as worried about it as they should be.

Poor, poor baby

[cowboyjunki]

That is just terrible! I am a home daycare provider, and I think you definitely did the right thing. I'm fortunate that I've never witnessed any neglect or abuse in my daycare children, but we are often the only advocate for the children in our care. Luckily, at least this child also has a concerned grandma.

I hope that they get the poor baby the care she needs so she can heal.