Frequently Asked Questions About Child Abuse and Neglect

Read through some of the most frequently asked questions about child abuse and neglect that our law firm receives. Some of your own questions may be answered and you will find out more about child abuse and neglect law and legal recoveries.
  • Page 7
  • How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in Riverside County California?

    Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family—it may even save a child's life.

    To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Riverside County California, 

    Call - Toll Free - 800-442-4918 or 877-922-4453 

    Cities in Riverside County California:
    Banning
    Beaumont
    Blythe
    Calimesa
    Canyon Lake
    Cathedral City
    Coachella
    Corona
    Desert Hot Springs
    Eastvale
    Hernet
    Indian Wells
    Indio
    Jurupa Valley
    Lake Elsinore
    La Quinta
    Menifee
    Moreno Valley
    Murrieta
    Norco
    Palm Desert
    Palm Springs
    Perris
    Rancho Mirage
    Riverside
    San Jacinto
    Temecula
    Wildomar
    Aguanga
    Alberhill
    Anza
    Belltown
    Bermuda Dunes
    Cabazon
    Cherry Valley
    Chiriaco Summit
    Coronita
    Desert Beach
    Desert Center
    East Blythe
    Eagle Mountain
    Eagle Valley
    East Mernet
    El Cerrito
    French Valley
    Glen Avon
    Highgrove
    Home Gardens
    Homeland
    Ilyllwild
    Lake Tamarisk
    Lakeland Village
    Lakeview
    Lost Lake
    Mead Valley
    Mecca
    Mesa Verde
    Midland
    Mountain Center
    North Shore
    Nuevo
    Pedley
    Pine Cove
    Ripley
    Romoland
    Rubidoux
    Sage
    Sedco Hills
    Sky Valley
    Sunnyslope
    Thermal
    Thousand Palms
    Valle Vista
    Winchester
    Whitewater
    Woodcrest
     

    If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect, or families of children who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at https://www.keanelaw.com 

  • How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in Sacramento County California?

    Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family—it may even save a child's life.

    To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Sacramento County California, 

    Call - 916-875-5437

    Cities in Sacramento County California:
    Citrus Heights
    Elk Grove
    Folsom
    Galt
    Isleton
    Rancho Cordova
    Sacramento
    Antelope
    Arden Arcade
    Carmichael
    Del Paso Heights
    Elverta
    Fair Oaks
    Florin
    Foothill Farms
    Gold River
    Hagginwood
    Herald
    La Riviera
    Laguna
    Locke
    Natomas
    North Highlands
    Orangevale
    Parkway-South Sacramento
    Rancho Murieta
    Rio Linda
    Rosemont
    Vineyard
    Walnut Grove
    Wilton 

    If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect, or families of children who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at https://www.keanelaw.com 

  • How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in Alameda County California?

    Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family—it may even save a child's life.

    To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Alameda County California, Call 510-259-1800.

    Cities in Alameda County California:
    Alameda
    Albany
    Berkeley
    Dublin
    Emeryville
    Fremont
    Hayward
    Livermore
    Newark
    Oakland
    Piedmont
    Pleasanton
    San Leandro
    Union City
    Ashland
    Castro Valley
    Cherryland
    Fairview
    Sunol
    San Lorenzo 

    If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect, or families of children who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at https://www.keanelaw.com 

  • Are there any special qualifications for child abuse expert witnesses?

    There is a new board-certification which pediatricians can obtain.  It is a certification in the sub-specialty of child abuse pediatrics.  You can read about the requirements to sit for certification here.

  • CPS - child protective services - failed to remove a child from a dangerous home. Now the child is severely injured because of abuse. Can I do anything to sue CPS - child protective services - and hold them responsible?

    Yes, but it depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.  If child protective services CPS was ordered to remove a child to an emergency shelter by the juvenile court, but failed to do so in a timely manner, then you can file a lawsuit against child protective services in California and hold the county and CPS workers responsible for failing to comply with the mandatory duty to remove the child.  Or, if the CPS workers  increased the endangerment to a child before the severe abuse - by filing false reports or failing to make required inspections - then a federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 USC 1983 may be an option for that particular situation.  Bottom line - it depends on the facts.  Call or e-mail our State of California child abuse lawyers for a free analysis to see if we can help you help the child. 

  • How do I report child pornography or a child sex offenderto authorities?

    You may contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, U.S. Department of Justice - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, your local police department special victims unit and the U.S. Postal Service.  Here is a link to a website that explains how to report child pornography to legal authorities: http://www.justice.gov/criminal/ceos/childporn.html

  • What are some of the causative agents that can cause decreased level of consciousness and/or coma in children?

    Some of the causative agents that can cause decreased level of consciousness or coma in children include alcohol, acetaminophen, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, carbon monoxide, caffeine, chloral hydrate, chlorpromazine, dihydrocodeine, ethylene glycol, flunitrazepam, gamma hydroxyburate, heroin, insulin, phenytoin, pine oil, sedatives, water intoxication and salt.  

  • Can bleedingin the head cause fever?

    Yes, bleeding in the head can cause fever. So it is possible that a child will have a fever as part of the symptoms of head trauma. It is important to remember that fever is consistent non-accidental or abusive head trauma (otherwise known as shaken baby syndrome).   

  • Whatexamination findings are indicative of non-accidental or child abuse injuries to the head of a child?

    Healthcare providers should look for clinical findings such as bruises, contusions, abrasions and lacerations to the head. The scalp should be evaluated for bogginess or swelling. If swelling is present the injury is recent. If a skull fracture is present with no or minimal swelling, the injury may be older. Healthcare providers should also check for blood behind the tympanic membrane which may indicate a basilar skull fracture. Obvious trauma involving the outer ear structures are indicative of abuse and are known to rarely occur accidentally. Subconjuctival hemorrhage or petechiae are consistent with strangulation or blunt trauma. However, retinal hemorrhages are consistent with abusive head trauma and an ophthalmology consult should be ordered for better visualization and evaluation of the retinas. A provider should assess for dried blood in the mouth, on the lips, and nose.  Injuries to the oral mucosa, including tongue, gums, and frenula of the tongue and lips are indicative of blunt trauma or suffocation injuries. Tears of the fenulum are indicative of forced objects in the mouth, like a pacifer, bottle or toys. These types of injuries are created by excessive force to the tissues and may indicate force into the oral mucosa (to stop an infant from crying) prior to shaking or abusive head trauma.  

  • What tests should beordered in casesinvolving children with head trauma?

    For children with head injuries a CT scan of the head, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ophthalmological consultation should be ordered. Other tests may be ordered based on the physical findings and history obtained during the examination.