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I had my 10 mo dropped off today as usual, nothing was out of the ordinary. When I changed his first diaper, right above the diaper line on his abdomen to the right is what looks to me like a cigarette burn. Its very dry/scabby and perfectly round and red all around it. I've never seen any thing like this on him before and it DEFINITELY wasn't there on friday. I know that I have to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to CPS but wasn't sure how to approach it. I never would have thought that this family would do something like this and am still not sure that's what it is for sure. How do you guys judge this? Have any of you had experience with this? Should I ask the mom about it? I was thinking about asking her about it and telling her I needed a drs note to see what it is because of the suspicion but I don't know how to approach it. Any advice?!
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I would photograph the injury. Document it and put it in the child's folder.
I would NOT call CPS unless I felt there were other signs leading me to think there is possible abuse/neglect. -
I am going to say do not call WHY because it is Monday and it was not there Friday. If it was a burn it would not be dry and scabby.... I would take a picture, document it and call mom and ask her if she saw it and what is it.
a burn would still be red raw and oozy
If it looked like a burn I would call in a heart beat even if it is the first timeIt:
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IMHO, unless you feel that it could be child abuse, call the mom and ask her about it.Comment
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I don't THINK that it is child abuse, but it just looks so strange and suspicious. I am going to ask her about it at pick up and see what she says. Do you guys think it is ridiculous to have her get it checked out by a dr for my records?Comment
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could be eczema or the start of ring worm. can you post a pic of it?Comment
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Eczema I am pretty familiar with, we have another boy here that has it and it never gets so red like that AROUND it. It looks like whatever it is is infected or REALLY irritated. I snapped a pic of it on my cell but its not very clear or detailed. I will try again when he wakes up from nap. Ring worm I haven't seen in years so I don't know if it gets red like that around it but it seems too small for ringworm..Comment
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Unless it was infected, I wouldn't require a doctor's visit.
I would however, document what you see and know. Have mom sign and date something stating you asked her about it and what her reply was. If mom signs and dates the documentation it proves you DID bring it to her attention and were concerned. I think that covers your basesComment
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Sounds like a dead wringer for ringworm which is extremely contagious.
I'd have mom or dad get him in to see his doc asap.Comment
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At the seminar, they said to call CPS and write down the date, time you called, and who you spoke to about it. Even if you want to remain anonymous give them a fake name (Suzy Q) so if child abuse is occurring and it appears as though you never reported anything, you won't be in trouble. You can quickly call to their attention the date, time, and alias name you called in under.
Otherwise, you can be in a great amount of trouble if those parents are convicted of child abuse in the future because you never reported anything yet you had them for large quantities of time throughout the week.
I would tell Mom to take DCC to the Doctor.
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. Exactly what it looked like.
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