Choosing a daycare for a child is one of the first major decisions a parent will make, with a long-lasting impact. A safe, nurturing daycare environment allows a child to thrive and develop the social and motor skills they’ll carry into kindergarten and beyond.
Every parent hopes that their child will be well cared for.
For the vast majority of families, that is exactly what happens. Sadly, there are instances of daycare abuse that occur through neglect and improper staff training that can traumatize a child and their family.
When abuse occurs, there needs to be immediate intervention that begins with alerting the proper authorities and retaining the services of an experienced child injury lawyer. Hiring an attorney is not overreacting. It is putting the best interests of your child first in the hopes of preventing the abuse from continuing and holding all the responsible parties accountable.
Parents need to be vigilant in spotting the warning signs of daycare abuse. The following guide provides vital information for every parent who has a child in daycare.
Recognizing Physical Indicators of Daycare Abuse and Neglect
It’s hard to imagine a kid getting through childhood without the occasional cut, scrape, or bruise. The important thing for parents to know is the reason for those minor injuries.
A child can come home with a Band-Aid on their knee after falling while playing, but if there is no reasonable explanation for the injury or the child can’t remember where it came from, the parent should question it.
Here are the other physical indicators of daycare abuse and neglect:
- Specific injuries like burns from cigarettes or scalding, bite marks, and black eyes.
- Pattern injuries shaped like hands or belts
- Bruising on the stomach, buttocks, or face instead of the knees and elbows
- Consistent unwashed hands
- Constant diaper rashes
- Severe hunger or thirst at pickup
- Untreated injuries
If you spot any unexplained physical injury or inconsistency, you need to bring it to the attention of the daycare for an explanation. If that explanation is lacking, outside intervention may be required. This is where the guidance of an attorney will be extremely helpful.
A lawyer who’s already handled these types of cases will know the right steps to follow for a response.
Behavioral Changes That May Signal Child Neglect
In addition to physical warning signs, you also have to watch out for behavioral changes that could be an indication of neglect. Here are some of the changes to look out for:
- Withdrawal
- Aggression
- Fearfulness
- Low self-esteem
- Sleep disturbances
Environmental Red Flags Within the Daycare Facility
Before enrolling a child in daycare, most parents will ask if the facility is licensed. They might respond, “Yes,” but that isn’t always true. As 6ABC News recently discovered, there is an alarming number of unlicensed childcare providers in Philadelphia. It is also important for parents to look beyond their child and consider any of the following environmental red flags.
- Air & Surface Contaminants: Are there strong chemical smells from cleaners, pesticides, or air fresheners? Have you noticed peeling paint, mold, or musty smells that might indicate dampness?
- Safety Hazards: Look for unsecured toxic materials, such as cleaning supplies and medication, as well as dirty or broken toys and playground equipment.
- Sanitation & Pests: Keep an eye out for dirty, unsanitary, or cluttered conditions. Also, look for evidence of insects or rodents.
- Outdoor Hazards: Be sure to check out any potential unsafe or damaged play equipment that’s outside the center. Also, be aware of the lack of shade and the proximity to traffic or toxic sites.
- Inadequate Emergency Safety: Does the daycare have working smoke alarms? Are there blocked exits or missing emergency evacuation plans?
Immediate Steps Parents Should Take If Abuse Is Suspected
If you recognize any of the above signs of abuse, you need to take immediate action to protect your child, and that begins with removing them from the daycare facility. If the abuse is severe, you should call 911 and report it to the police.
Additionally, you should report what happened to the following agencies:
- PA ChildLine: Call 1-800-932-0313 immediately. This is PA’s 24/7 hotline for reporting suspected child abuse.
- Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS): Call (215) 683-6100 to reach Philadelphia-specific child abuse reporting services.
It is important to document evidence of the abuse with photos and videos of any injuries.
How Philadelphia Daycare Centers Are Held Legally Accountable
Every Philadelphia daycare facility is legally obligated to follow the licensing regulations set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Those regulations also include submitting to mandatory safety inspections.
If serious safety violations are found, there could be a revocation of the license.
Parents also have the right to sue for negligence. That is when you have to enlist the services of an experienced child abuse lawyer. The attorneys at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan have helped many families who have found themselves in dire situations with a daycare facility.
We can help collect the relevant evidence, issue demand letters for restitution, and, if necessary, file a civil complaint against the facility. These are serious matters that demand immediate action.
If you suspect your daycare is acting negligently, we want to hear from you.
Call to schedule a consultation to discuss what is happening. Don’t delay.