After researching daycare centers and finding a facility to care for their child, most parents drop their children off every day without ever imagining that they could become victims of child sexual abuse. However, daycare abuse in Florida does occur more often than parents realize.
Different types of abuse that can occur in daycare facilities include:
- Workers allow children to beat up another child
- Workers injure children and inflict broken bones and other physical injuries
- Workers neglect the children they are supposed to be caring for
- Workers hit children
- Workers throw children
- Workers don’t monitor children, which allows older children to touch and abuse younger children
- Workers sexually abuse children
- Workers’ children sexually abuse the children in the daycare
- Workers fail to report sexual abuse and neglect
While teachers have been guilty of daycare abuse in Florida, most cases of child abuse typically involves teacher’s aides, supplemental staff, and older children. Anyone at a daycare can interact with children and be potential abusers. For this reason, parents should always be aware of child abuse warning signs, which include:
- Outburst of anger
- Sudden depression
- Extreme emotional behaviors
- Avoiding affection or being extra clingy
- Acting aggressive
- Unexplained headaches and stomachaches
- Unexplained scratches, bruises, and broken bones
- Expressing their private parts itch or burn
If you believe your child is being abused at a daycare center, there are several actions to take. It is important to talk to your child’s other parent to see if he or she believes that your child’s behavior or injuries are suspicious. Additionally, it is a good idea to talk with other parents at the daycare center to see if they have noticed anything with their children, workers, or other children at the daycare. If your child is injured or if you suspect sexual abuse, it is best to seek medical treatment immediately. Then contact an experienced Sarasota child abuse attorney at Mallard Perez at 888-409-3805 for a complimentary consultation.