WHAT IS CHILD
ABUSRE AND
NEGLECT?
DEKALB COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE
SERVICES INFORMATION
“Any recent act or failure to
act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in
death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse
or exploitation (including sexual abuse as determined
under section 111), or an act or failure to act which
presents an imminent risk of serious harm” (42 U.S.C.
5101 note, § 3).
Mailing Address:
Types of Abuse:
Phone:
Street Address:
2301 Briarwood Ave South
Fort Payne, AL 35967
PO Box 680049
Fort Payne, AL 35968-1601
(256) 844-2700
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Physical
Neglect
Sexual
Emotional
Abandonment
Parental Substance Abuse
Human Trafficking
Sheriff’s Office for After Hours and Emergencies:
(256) 845-3801
CHILD ABUSE
AND NEGLECT
Signs and Responsibilities
Signs of Abuse in
Children:
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Sudden change in behavior or
grades
Suddenly withdrawn
Does not want to go home
Seems to prepare for bad
happenings
Unexplained injuries—
especially after an absence
from school
Scared, anxious, or depressed
mood
Change in eating habits
Difficulty walking or sitting
Reports nightmares or
bedwetting
Delayed development
Standards for Reporting:
“the reporter, in his or her official capacity,
suspects or has reasons to believe that a child
has been abused or neglected”
the reporter has knowledge of, or observes a
child being subjected to, conditions that would
reasonably result in harm to the child.”
Who Must Report?
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Signs of Neglect in
Children:
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Frequent absences
Begs for or steal food or money
Consistently dirty or has severe
body odor
Lacks appropriate clothing for the
weather
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Hospitals, clinics, sanitariums,
doctors, physicians, surgeons,
medical examiners, coroners,
dentists, osteopaths,
optometrists, chiropractors,
podiatrists, pharmacists, physical
therapists, and nurses
Public and private K–12
employees, teachers, and school
officials
Peace officers and law
enforcement officials
Social workers
Daycare workers or employees
Mental health professionals
Employees of public and private
institutions of postsecondary and
higher education
Members of the clergy
Any other person called upon to
render aid or medical assistance
to a child
(Ala. Code § 26-14-3 )