Re: CPS / abuse
Lynda Seehusen (lyndas@dordt.edu)
Fri, 29 Mar 1996 14:35:20 -0600 (CST)
> was put into foster care. The OT said anytime there is a spiral fracture they
> automatically think it is child abuse, even though that is the type of
This is not exactly true. There is an increased suspicion of abuse
when CPS sees a spiral fracture because it is the sort of fracture
that commonly occurs when a child's leg has been taken in hands and
twisted. CPS recognizes that these types of fractures can occur by
other means but it does raise a "red flag".
> has been through. She said it is also a good idea to have the name of a good
> attorney handy, just in case.
While doing this couldn't hurt, it does seem a bit extreme. Perhaps it's
because I've worked with CPS so much but I've taken my daughter in, for
example, after she fell off a chair (after I just told her to sit down
of course :) and I wasn't sure whether or not she needed stitches. When
I got to the ER the nurse asked me what happened and I explained. Then
awhile later, a second nurse asked me what happened, and then finally
the doctor asked me as well. I know that they were checking for
consistency in my story. In most of the cases if you
just tell your story and the bruise matches the story, that is the
end of the matter.
> I find this really disturbing, I have friends who are police and they call
> CPS all the time to remove children from horrible situations and they won't.
I've been on this side of things as well unfortunately. It is VERY
frustrating to have a child tell you s/he's been abused, have CPS investigate
and then not have them do anything about it. I understand about the
shortage of funds and foster homes but it's still sad.
Actually in general I am against removing children from homes unless their
lives are in danger. I think it's much more effective to work with the
family in the home situation.
But that's another topic :)
Lynda, mom to 33 weeker Emma, 3.6 and Shannon, 6 months today!
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"We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom in it--and
stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She
will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again, and that is well; but also
she will never sit down on a cold one anymore." Mark Twain
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