Five Daycare Abuse Warning Signs

Daycare abuse comes in many forms. It could be physical, verbal, mental, sexual, or emotional. All these types of abuse are equally harmful to both children and their families. If not dealt with right away, such issues could also cause long-term damage. The good news is that children are very resilient, so prompt and proper action usually addresses the problem.

So, never give a Rockford daycare center the benefit of the doubt. There is simply too much at stake. If you see any of the warning signs listed below, and you have any questions whatsoever about the daycare center’s explanation, contact a lawyer.

Mood Swings/Personality Changes

Most children are rather outgoing and, as they get older, yearn for more and more independence. Abused children sometimes have the opposite emotions. Children are not very good at keeping secrets. So, when something is going on that troubles them, they sometimes become very withdrawn.

Sometimes, these changes are permanent and sometimes they come and go. Therefore, parents and caregivers need to be particularly diligent in this area. Personality changes are one of the biggest red flags regarding child abuse. However, they are also one of the easiest signs to miss or explain away.

Anxiety or Fear Towards a Daycare Employee

Many children are very clingy at times. Others fake stomach aches and other maladies to avoid certain activities. Look for a pattern of behavior. If the child only expresses these feelings about the daycare, there may be a problem. Simply switching daycare centers is not the answer. Such a move stops the abuse but does nothing to repair the damage that’s already occurred. Only extensive therapy and other interventions can do that.

Unusual Interest in Sexual Matters

If your child suddenly knows a lot more about sex, your child learned that information from somewhere. If it wasn’t at home, daycare is the most likely source. If there is any inappropriate conduct at the child’s daycare center, it’s important that you put a stop to it. Your child is not the only one at risk. Most likely, the daycare’s environment will not change until someone takes legal action.

Regression

This warning sign is a lot like the personality changes discussed above. Many small children wet the bed, suck their thumbs, are afraid of the dark, and so on. If your child moved past issues like these and they suddenly reappear, that could be a sign of emotional or verbal abuse. Once again, it’s better to take prompt action. Your child, and your family, have too much to lose.

Nightmares

Children are usually fairly good at expressing themselves. But when something happens that troubles them, especially if the perpetrator is someone they trust, children often bury these feelings. But they do not stay buried for long. Instead, they erupt in some form, often nightmares or night terrors. Resist the temptation to interpret the dream or rationalize the nightmare. When your child’s emotional stability is at stake, it’s best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Work with Dedicated Attorneys

Daycare abuse is every parent’s nightmare, so it’s important to know the signs. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Rockford, contact Fisk & Monteleone, Ltd. After-hours visits are available.