Sexual Abuse of One Child by Another

[jacesmom]

My question involves child abuse or neglect in the State of: TN, Oh


My husband has my his son for visitation 2 weeks of the month. The other two weeks he lives with his maternal grandmother. His mom has supervised visits only. She lost custody due to her drug use, neglect, and exposing the child to domestic violence. The child is 4.

My husband and I have two children together age 2 (boy) and 3 (girl). My husband works second shift so I care for the kids while he is working. His son is on the medication clonidine to settle him down. The grandmother is claiming that he is ADHD.

During visitation last week I was cooking dinner and all three kids were in the bedroom playing. I went in there to check on them and noticed my step son had my daughter bent backwards over a bed fondling her privates and trying to french kiss her. Of course it shook me up and I grabbed my daughter and took her in the bathroom looked her over and had a talk with her. She told me that he had not done it before. I also questioned him and he told me it was no big deal they were just sexin and that his mom and her booyfriend do it all the time.

I asked if anyone does it to him and he said yes that his moms boyfriend and his brother have both done that to him. I asked him where he was and he said at grandmas and at mommys.

Knowing that grandma leaves him alone with mommy when she doesnt have a babysitter I panicked and called child protective services and now my child has to go for a forensic interview. I dont know what that is.

I am afraid that cps will come in and take my kids because they were in my care when that happened. Do i need an attorney? The case workers told me that I did the right thing by reporting it immediately but I dont want anything to happen to my baby. Some Advice would be appreciated.

[LawResearcherMissy]

You can read about forensic interviews here, here and here.

And yes, whenever dealing with CPS, it's in your best interests to have an attorney present. As I've said to other posters, you should do this, if for no other reason than to have a professional there to explain what is happening, and to keep overzealous social workers from overstepping.

I've dealt with CPS on both sides of the line - as a kid removed from my home, and as a parent accused of neglect because we are not Christian (among other ridiculousness). CPS is obligated by law to investigate and document every single complaint, and it's very easy for the social workers to put on blinders and assume that everyone involved is abusive.

This is why you need the attorney.