Be careful not to inflict your personal standards on the situation. Dirty or torn clothing may be from poverty, but not rise to the level of neglect.

Abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, and mental injury to a child. It can happen when the parent or caregiver specifically injures the child or consistently fails to protect the child from being hurt. [2] X Research source Use of a child under the age of consent for sexual gratification is abuse, even if there is no physical injury. [3] X Research source Neglect occurs when the parent does not supply the child’s basic needs. It can be physical, such as inadequate food and failure to provide medical care. It can also be mental and emotional, including neglecting education and the child’s emotional development. Chronic truancy can be considered child neglect in some circumstances. [4] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U. S. Children’s Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source

Use your common sense to determine if a situation is an emergency. 911 is not for suspicions of child abuse. It is for situations where you believe someone needs assistance from police, fire, or ambulance services. For example, if you see or hear a child being beaten or if the child calls for help. If you find a child that has been abandoned or believe children have been left alone at home for an unreasonable time. If you see or hear someone threaten a child with a weapon. A child that is visibly injured. A child who is sick beyond normal, for example, you believe the child is starving. If a child tells you they have been sexually abused or you see signs, such as blood in his underpants.

Give as much information as you can. If you have it, give the child’s name and age. You must be able to give an address, including the city and county. Other good information is the name of the parents and a brief and succinct description of what you have seen or suspect. Be as specific as possible. Affix proper postage and mail the report to the agency.