Aggression can be a sign of daycare abuse.Texas Child Abuse and Neglect Attorney

When children are dealing with some type of stressor, they often do not have the words to express how they are feeling, or they might be afraid to talk about what is happening to them. These feelings of frustration can come out in the form of aggressive or violent behavior. Our Texas child abuse attorney mentions that this can occur in many forms, including:

  • Temper tantrums
  • Hitting, kicking, or biting
  • Angry outbursts that result in property damage
  • Bullying
  • Verbal attacks on others
  • Attempts to control others using violence

Sometimes these behaviors are related to problems with a child’s environment, such as daycare. However, it is important to note that these behaviors could also be an indicator of medical problems—including mood disorders or other conditions. Parents should have their child examined by a physician to find out if there is something going on with the child’s overall health before considering the possibility of daycare abuse or neglect. You do not want to make a premature accusation.

Warning Signs of Daycare Abuse or Neglect

Parents should address any sign that something is “off” immediately. Child abuse can be subtle or obvious, but it often results in unusual marks on a child that doesn’t seem to heal. Keep an eye out for the following physical indicators:

  • Marks, scratches, or bumps 
  • Bruises, cuts, or sores on faces and arms
  • Burns
  • Missing tufts of hair
  • Imprints of a belt, buckle, or handprint on the skin

Watch your child’s behavior as well. When a child is being emotionally abused, there may not be any physical signs. Children who are being emotionally abused often suffer from these types of behaviors:

  • Night terrors and nightmares
  • Frequent crying
  • Poor concentration
  • Having accidents after already being potty trained
  • Being fearful of going to daycare or showing anxiety around a specific worker

If any of these signs are present, this could point to daycare center abuse, but it’s important that you do not jump to conclusions. If your child is verbal and able to communicate with you, ask questions about what happens at daycare. Get into the habit of discussing their day over dinner or before bed. This might make them more apt to report abuse or neglect when it happens.

One of the most common types of abuse occurs when children are neglected. They may not be supervised properly or their basic hygiene needs are not attended to—such as when a daycare does not provide sufficient diaper changes or bathroom breaks. For this reason, we recommend that parents make unannounced visits to the daycare center. You can also seek a daycare center that has live feeds so you can check in throughout the day remotely.

How the Button Law Firm Can Help

No parent wants to find out that their child was injured at daycare either physically or emotionally because of an abusive or neglectful worker. As a parent, you have put a certain amount of trust into the center’s hiring process, assuming that staff members have been properly vetted and background checked. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

You should report your concerns about daycare abuse or neglect and offer any evidence you have gathered to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. You can file a report online or by phone 24/7. 

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Russell Button
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Dallas, Houston, and Midland Texas trial and personal injury lawyer dedicated to securing justice for clients.