Child Abuse Legal Steps

Summary

In Illinois, any form of physical abuse can be considered child abuse. Documenting incidents is crucial. The State Attorney prosecutes criminal cases and can get involved in child abuse cases if charges are pressed. Cooperate with DCFS if contacted.

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Illinois,my son's dad and I have an agreement in place no spanking however my son is * and was play fighting with Dad he now has a handprint across his face
Hello Marie. It's important to understand that in Illinois, any form of physical abuse can be considered as Child Abuse:
- It's against the law to cause harm to a child's health or well-being.
- A written agreement of no spanking can support your case.
- You can report this to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Is ok we didn't press charges but documented
Hello Marie. Documenting the incident is a good step. If there are further incidents, you might want to consider reporting them. Remember, the welfare of the child is paramount.
The cop said he will call dcfs
Hello Marie, if the police contact DCFS, they will likely conduct an investigation into the incident. Cooperate with them and provide any information they need. The welfare of your son is the top priority.
What does the state attorney do
The State Attorney in Illinois has several roles:
- Prosecuting criminal cases.
- Providing legal advice to county or state officials.
- Representing the state in legal proceedings.
- They can get involved in child abuse cases if criminal charges are pressed.