Frequently Asked Questions About Child Abuse and Neglect

Read through some of the most frequently asked questions about child abuse and neglect that our law firm receives. Some of your own questions may be answered and you will find out more about child abuse and neglect law and legal recoveries.
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  • How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in San Diego County California?

    Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family—it may even save a child's life.

    To report suspected child abuse or neglect in San Diego County California, 

    Call - 858-560-2191 or Toll Free - 800-344-6000 

    Cities in San Diego County California:
    Carlsbad
    Chula Vista
    Coronado
    Del Mar
    El Cajon
    Encinitas
    Escondido
    Imperial Beach
    La Mesa
    Lemon Grove
    National City
    Oceanside
    Poway
    San Diego
    San Marcos
    Santee
    Solana Beach
    Vista
    4S Ranch
    Agua Caliente Springs
    Alpine
    Ballena
    Barrett Junction
    Blossom Valley
    Bonita
    Bonsall
    Borrego Springs
    Bostonia
    Boulevard
    Camp Pendleton North
    Camp Pendleton South
    Camp
    Canebrake
    Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
    Crest
    Dehesa
    Del Dios
    De Luz
    Descanso
    Dulzura
    Elfin Forest
    Eucalyptus Hills
    Fairbanks Ranch
    Fallbrook
    Fernbrook
    Flinn Springs
    Four Corners
    Granite Hills
    Guatay
    Harbison Canyon
    Harmony Grove
    Hidden Meadows
    Jacumba
    Jamul
    Julian
    La Presa
    Lake Morena Village
    Lake San Marcos
    Lakeside
    Lincoln Acres
    Live Oak Springs
    Mount Laguna
    Oak Grove
    Ocotillo Wells
    Pala
    Pine Hills
    Pine Valley
    Potrero
    Pueblo Siding
    Rainbow
    Ramona
    Ranchita
    Rancho San Diego
    Rancho Santa Fe
    Rincon
    San Diego Country Estates
    Santa Ysabel
    Shelter Valley
    Spring Valley
    Tecate
    Tierra del Sol
    Valley Center
    Callecitos
    Warner Springs
    Winter Gardens
    Wynola 

    If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect, or families of children who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at https://www.keanelaw.com 

  • How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in San Francisco County California?

    Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family—it may even save a child's life.

    To report suspected child abuse or neglect in San Francisco County California, 

    Call - 415-558-2650 or Toll Free - 800-856-5553 

    Cities in San Francisco County California:
    San Francisco
    San Jose
    Oakland
    Fremont
    Santa Rosa
    Hayward
    Sunnyvale
    Concord
    Santa Clara
    Vallejo
     

    If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect, or families of children who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at https://www.keanelaw.com 

  • How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in Alameda County California?

    Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family—it may even save a child's life.

    To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Alameda County California, Call 510-259-1800.

    Cities in Alameda County California:
    Alameda
    Albany
    Berkeley
    Dublin
    Emeryville
    Fremont
    Hayward
    Livermore
    Newark
    Oakland
    Piedmont
    Pleasanton
    San Leandro
    Union City
    Ashland
    Castro Valley
    Cherryland
    Fairview
    Sunol
    San Lorenzo 

    If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help children who have suffered from child abuse or neglect, or families of children who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at https://www.keanelaw.com 

  • Are there any special qualifications for child abuse expert witnesses?

    There is a new board-certification which pediatricians can obtain.  It is a certification in the sub-specialty of child abuse pediatrics.  You can read about the requirements to sit for certification here.

  • CPS - child protective services - failed to remove a child from a dangerous home. Now the child is severely injured because of abuse. Can I do anything to sue CPS - child protective services - and hold them responsible?

    Yes, but it depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.  If child protective services CPS was ordered to remove a child to an emergency shelter by the juvenile court, but failed to do so in a timely manner, then you can file a lawsuit against child protective services in California and hold the county and CPS workers responsible for failing to comply with the mandatory duty to remove the child.  Or, if the CPS workers  increased the endangerment to a child before the severe abuse - by filing false reports or failing to make required inspections - then a federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 USC 1983 may be an option for that particular situation.  Bottom line - it depends on the facts.  Call or e-mail our State of California child abuse lawyers for a free analysis to see if we can help you help the child. 

  • How do I report child pornography or a child sex offenderto authorities?

    You may contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, U.S. Department of Justice - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, your local police department special victims unit and the U.S. Postal Service.  Here is a link to a website that explains how to report child pornography to legal authorities: http://www.justice.gov/criminal/ceos/childporn.html

  • What are some of the causative agents that can cause decreased level of consciousness and/or coma in children?

    Some of the causative agents that can cause decreased level of consciousness or coma in children include alcohol, acetaminophen, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, carbon monoxide, caffeine, chloral hydrate, chlorpromazine, dihydrocodeine, ethylene glycol, flunitrazepam, gamma hydroxyburate, heroin, insulin, phenytoin, pine oil, sedatives, water intoxication and salt.  

  • Can bleedingin the head cause fever?

    Yes, bleeding in the head can cause fever. So it is possible that a child will have a fever as part of the symptoms of head trauma. It is important to remember that fever is consistent non-accidental or abusive head trauma (otherwise known as shaken baby syndrome).   

  • Whatexamination findings are indicative of non-accidental or child abuse injuries to the head of a child?

    Healthcare providers should look for clinical findings such as bruises, contusions, abrasions and lacerations to the head. The scalp should be evaluated for bogginess or swelling. If swelling is present the injury is recent. If a skull fracture is present with no or minimal swelling, the injury may be older. Healthcare providers should also check for blood behind the tympanic membrane which may indicate a basilar skull fracture. Obvious trauma involving the outer ear structures are indicative of abuse and are known to rarely occur accidentally. Subconjuctival hemorrhage or petechiae are consistent with strangulation or blunt trauma. However, retinal hemorrhages are consistent with abusive head trauma and an ophthalmology consult should be ordered for better visualization and evaluation of the retinas. A provider should assess for dried blood in the mouth, on the lips, and nose.  Injuries to the oral mucosa, including tongue, gums, and frenula of the tongue and lips are indicative of blunt trauma or suffocation injuries. Tears of the fenulum are indicative of forced objects in the mouth, like a pacifer, bottle or toys. These types of injuries are created by excessive force to the tissues and may indicate force into the oral mucosa (to stop an infant from crying) prior to shaking or abusive head trauma.  

  • What tests should beordered in casesinvolving children with head trauma?

    For children with head injuries a CT scan of the head, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ophthalmological consultation should be ordered. Other tests may be ordered based on the physical findings and history obtained during the examination.