A Bartlesville, Oklahoma couple was arrested on charges of neglecting two very young children.
According to police, they responded to the family's residence in reference to a domestic abuse incident. DHS investigators were called, and they found an eight-month-old child with rashes over large, multiple areas of her body, along with red dots that appeared to be bug bites. Officials also found a two-year-old child in the residence. They observed a roach infestation on, or near, the child's bed. The two victims were taken to a family member's home.
The investigators requested a child maltreatment assessment examination. Upon close examination, the physician said the younger child had severe skin breakdown and yeast growth to both the groin and neck region. There were no signs that the areas had been medicated previously. The doctor concluded the children had both been neglected.
The couple were also unable to produce documentation that they had had the children checked by a physician recently. Investigators found that the children's last known doctor appointment for the victims was either April or May of last year. Ty Loftis "Bartlesville Couple Arrested on Child Neglect Charges" https://m.bartlesvilleradio.com/pages/news/406522024/bartlesville-couple-arrested-on-child-neglect-charges (Jan. 11, 2024).
Commentary and Checklist
The CDC defines child neglect as "the failure to meet a child's basic physical and emotional needs." These needs include food, clothing, education, access to medical care, and having feelings validated.
The two children in the source article were very young, a two-year-old and an eight-month-old. Relatives of the family may not have been aware of their situation because investigators discovered the children's situation when they responded to a domestic incident report.
There are individuals who are mandated by law to report incidents of child abuse and neglect. However, all safe adults can and should report actual or suspected child abuse and neglect to authorities.
What do safe adults need to know about reporting to authorities?
- If a life-threatening emergency exists, dial 911.
- If not a life-threatening emergency, contact a child protective services agency or local law enforcement immediately.
- Get a name, title, department, phone number and email address from your law enforcement and/or child protective services contact. Take notes and preserve your communications with law enforcement and/or child protective services.
- Tell the law enforcement and/or child protective services contact the facts that form the basis of your reasonable suspicion of child sexual abuse. Be prepared to provide dates, times, and names of witnesses. Do not speculate or provide information that you know is false or misleading.
- Follow the directions of law enforcement and/or child protective services contact on preserving the safety of the child.
- If applicable, let your employer know that you have made a report to law enforcement or child protective services.
- Provide emotional support to the child when possible.
- Do not argue, blame, or interrogate the child.
- Do not try to convince the child he or she is mistaken.
- Do not direct any anger or retaliation toward the child.
- Allow law enforcement and/or child protective services to interact with parents and/or caregivers.
- Follow-up with law enforcement and/or child protective services on your report.
