Abuse by a Guardian

[meloken]

My question involves child abuse in the State of Texas

I have been accused of child abuse and instead of fighting it, like an idiot, I stayed in a town 8 hours away and kept working. My husbands parents have guardianship of my girls. I found out this past Tuesday that the Grandfather punched my oldest daughter, once in the jaw and once in the head.
When I told his wife that I was calling cps because of what he did, she told me that I would do nothing because the statute of limitations on child abuse is 7 years and she would have me arrested. I need advice very badly on what to do. I want to protect my daughter, but refuse to go to jail for a lie.

[free9man]

If you truly wish to protect your daughter, make the report to CPS and let the chips fall where they may. Her welfare should be more important than you facing a false charge. If the accusation against you is truly a lie, if you are charged get a good attorney.

How do you know he hit her? Did she tell you? Did he admit it?

[PTPD22]

I have been accused of child abuse and instead of fighting it, like an idiot, I stayed in a town 8 hours away and kept working.

What is the “abuse” you were accused of? I am assuming that, when you say you did not fight it, it was brought up in some kind of custody hearing or something? Since, apparently, you were not criminally charged at the time, I’m wondering if what was accused even amounts to a criminal act. I have had to mediate many feuding parents and one accusing the other of “abuse” is not uncommon. But, when the specifics come out, nothing amounting to an actual, criminal abuse ever occurred. Were you accused of actually committing a sexual or violent crime against your child(ren)? Or, did someone simply describe your methods of legitimate discipline as “abuse?”

But, bottom line, free9man is right. If you think that your daughter is suffering inappropriate and violent assault, you should report it regardless of grandma’s threats.