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Allegations of abuse

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masopa

Member
What is the name of your state? WI

Custody is joint. Dad has primary placement.

Last week my son (5 years old) told his teachers at school that mom's boyfriend hits him in the stomach and he is afraid of him. Teacher reported it to CPS in our county. CPS screened the case out.

When I asked my son about the talk he had with Ms. Teacher he denied it took place. Later in the week he came to me and said he wanted to talk about it now. He told me that not only does mom's boyfriend hit him in the stomach but that he also hits him across the face. He says he has asked the BF not to, but he does it anyway. Son also said that mom gets mad at him when he tells her about it and the last time he tried to she locked him in his room. I did e-mail mom about this and she says its impossible and that son "makes up stories."

My questions:
1) Should we ask Ms. Teacher to contact CPS in the county where mom and the BF live? Or is there any inter-county contact about these cases? The reason I ask is because we live in a big city and where mom lives is a small rural community. I feel like they may not be as swamped with complaints and may take it more seriously. It is also the county where the alleged abuse took place.

2) Should I also contact CPS about what my son told me?

3)I am in the process of looking into counseling for my son. He has to go to mom's next weekend and is very scared that he's going to get in trouble with her. After talking with Ms. Teacher, mom said that counseling is good idea (her reason being that everything is MY fault, but at least she consented). Now that she has consented, can I choose a therapist or do I have to get specific approval? (note that mom lives 3 hours away and never comes to our town so meeting with the counselor could be a long time coming. I think it would have to be by phone, and I have a feeling she would really drag her feet).

Thanks in advance.
 


Zephyr

Senior Member
My questions:
1) Should we ask Ms. Teacher to contact CPS in the county where mom and the BF live? Or is there any inter-county contact about these cases? The reason I ask is because we live in a big city and where mom lives is a small rural community. I feel like they may not be as swamped with complaints and may take it more seriously. It is also the county where the alleged abuse took place.
the teacher is required by law to report suspected abuse

2) Should I also contact CPS about what my son told me?
yes- if you suspect abuse, report it

3)I am in the process of looking into counseling for my son. He has to go to mom's next weekend and is very scared that he's going to get in trouble with her. After talking with Ms. Teacher, mom said that counseling is good idea (her reason being that everything is MY fault, but at least she consented). Now that she has consented, can I choose a therapist or do I have to get specific approval? (note that mom lives 3 hours away and never comes to our town so meeting with the counselor could be a long time coming. I think it would have to be by phone, and I have a feeling she would really drag her feet).
I don't believe you need specific approval...enroll the kid, and deal with it if mom objects.....make sure to keep her informed
 

masopa

Member
Thanks-

the teacher is required by law to report suspected abuse
Teacher did report it but reported it in Dane County. Mom and BF live in Clark County.

I don't believe you need specific approval...enroll the kid, and deal with it if mom objects.....make sure to keep her informed
I do plan to keep her informed. I think it will be important in the future that we both have contact with any therapist.

One more question: is it relevant to bring up the BF's past history of domestic abuse and battery when reporting to CPS? Ms. Teacher does not know this info and thus did not report that. Might CPS take an allegation of "child claims mom's BF hits him" more seriously if the BF has had past problems? I don't want to bring it up because I know it will might look like I'm being vindictive, but I really do believe it's relevant.
 

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