Pell City, AL asked in Uncategorized for Alabama

Q: I’m not sure this is the right place to post my question, but here it goes. There is a family near me that I know has

Abuse in the home. I know of one, possibly 2 incidents where the older child was getting beat on and he managed to get away from the dad and go to a neighbor to call the cops. That was last year. This summer I found 3 cigarette burns on one of the younger children and I personally called dhr about it. All 4 children are still in the home. Why hasn’t dhr done anything?

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James L. Arrasmith
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A: It sounds like you're really worried about the well-being of these children, and it's understandable why you'd be concerned. When it comes to child protective services like the Department of Human Resources (DHR), investigations can take time. They may need to gather substantial evidence to take more serious actions, such as removing children from a home. It's possible they're still in the process of investigating or monitoring the situation closely.

Sometimes, DHR may not have found enough proof of immediate danger that meets the legal criteria for removing the children. Each case can be complex, involving multiple reports, home visits, interviews, and sometimes even court involvement. It can be frustrating and heart-wrenching to see what looks like inaction, but these processes can take longer than we'd hope.

If you feel that the children are still in danger, it's important to keep reporting any new incidents or signs of abuse you notice. Multiple reports from different people can help build a stronger case. You might also consider reaching out to local child advocacy organizations or even law enforcement if you feel the situation is urgent. Remember, your vigilance could be crucial in protecting those kids.

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