1. Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD
Reporting
It's not just what's right...
IT'S THE LAW!
Child Abuse

2. Child Abuse and Neglect
What the Law Requires
Warning Signs of Abuse
Warning Signs of Neglect
Reporting Procedures

3. Report of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect
Child Abuse and Neglect
Report of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect
TX Statue requires a person having cause to believe that a child’s physical, mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person to immediately make a report.
The person shall make a report no later than the 48th hour the professional first suspects the child has been or may be abused or neglected.
A professional may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report for them.
TX Statue declares a person commits an offense if the person has cause to believe that a child’s physical, mental health, or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect and knowingly fails to make a report. An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, 180 days in jail, or both.

4. Child Abuse and Neglect
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is a physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, such as bruises, fractures, or death. It can also include a genuine threat of harm, even if there is no visible injury.
Warning Signs
Frequent injuries
Burns or bruises in an unusual pattern
Injuries that appear after child isn’t seen for several days
Frequent complaints of pain without obvious injury
Fear of going home or seeing parent
Frequent absences without reasonable explanation
Wearing unseasonable clothes
Lack of reaction to pain
Reluctance to sit down
Passive, withdrawn, and/or emotionless behavior
Change in behavior

5. Child Abuse and Neglect
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is an action that results in a marked impact on a child's growth, development, or psychological functioning. Emotional abuse includes extreme forms of punishment such as confining a child in a dark closet, habitual scapegoating, or belittling to the point that it results in noticeable effects on the child's daily functioning.
Warning Signs
Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong
Shows extremes in behavior
Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver
Acts either inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile

6. Child Abuse and Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare. This includes fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or producing pornography.
Warning Signs
Difficulty in sitting or walking
Physical signs of sexually transmitted disease(s)
Physical signs of injury to the genital area
Pregnancy in a young girl
Extreme fear of being alone with adults, especially of a particular sex
Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behavior
Knowledge about sexual relations that is not age appropriate
Drawings/writings with strong or bizarre sexual themes
Sexual victimization of other children

7. Child Abuse and Neglect
There are various types of neglect including:
Neglectful supervision
Medical neglect
Physical neglect
Abandonment and refusal to accept parental responsibility
Failure to protect a child
Warning Signs
Obvious malnutrition
Torn and/or dirty clothes
Lack of personal cleanliness
Obvious fatigue and listlessness
Begs for, or steals, food
Unattended for long periods of time
Needs glasses, dental care, or other medical attention
Frequent absence or tardiness without reasonable explanation

8. Child Abuse and Neglect
CPS Reporting Procedures
Any person making a report to DFPS is immune from civil or criminal liability as long as the report is made in good faith.
The reporter’s name is confidential.
Call the Texas abuse and neglect hotline at
Non-emergency reports can be made online at
Be specific and provide as much information as possible, including demographic information.
Document the date and time of the report and the case number.
Follow up with a counselor and/or administrator any time you feel it would benefit the child.

9. Child Abuse and Neglect
What Happens When a Report is Made?
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) takes the information from the person reporting. They will take as little or as much information as you can provide.
It is helpful if you can provide name, age, address of child and/or siblings, parent contact information, brief description of situation, current injuries and your contact information.
CPS may choose to do nothing with the information.
CPS may choose to send the information out for investigation. When this happens they will speak to the child and family within 10 days. They may also contact you for follow up questions.
Your identity is confidential and is not revealed to the family when a report is made.

10. Child Abuse and Neglect
What If I Am Unsure of What To Do?
Come speak to a counselor! We are all available to give you guidance on whether certain situations need to be reported to CPS or not.
Trust your instincts—if you are not comfortable with the information you learned, it probably needs to be reported to CPS.

11. Suicidal Ideation

12. Suicidal Ideation Suicide Warning Signs
Sudden disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs (illegal or legal)
Behavioral problems
Withdrawing from family and friends
Sleep changes
Changes in eating habits
Begins to neglect hygiene or personal appearance
Emotional distress brings on physical distress (aches, fatigues, migraines)
Hard time concentrating and paying attention

13. Suicidal Ideation Suicide Warning Signs (Continued)
Risk taking behaviors
Complains more frequently of boredom
Does not respond as before to praise
Declining grades
Loss of interest in schoolwork
Not all of these warning signs will be present in cases of possible suicidal ideation. Just because one of these symptoms is present does not necessarily mean that a student is experiencing suicidal thoughts.

14. Suicidal Ideation Indications of a Suicide Plan
The following are things that may indicate someone is contemplating or planning suicide:
Making statements like…“I’m thinking of committing suicide” or “I want to kill myself” or “I wish I could die”
Using verbal hints such as: “I want you to know something, in case something happens to me” or “ I won’t trouble you anymore”
Giving away favorite belongings, or promising them to friends and family members
Throwing away important possessions
Showing signs of extreme cheerfulness following periods of depression
Creating suicide notes
Expressing bizarre or unsettling thoughts on occasion

15. Suicidal Ideation Seeking Help
Suicide warning signs are serious calls for help. Acknowledging these warning signs and seeking help for the problem can help prevent suicide.
School Employees who identify a student as expressing the desire to harm themselves or others are REQUIRED to IMMEDIATELY contact the intervention counselor, counselor or administrator.
The student is to remain under adult supervision at all times.
If you can not reach a counselor please contact an administrator and they will notify the appropriate personnel.