Sistema de ,1aoejo de la Información l\fiocom ( �lll\iS)

Allegation of Harm #12/62

a) DEFINITION

A bruise, cut or indentation in the skin caused by seizing, piercing, or cutting the skin with human teeth.

b) TAKING A REPORT

1) Acceptable Reporter/Source

Any person who has reason to believe that a child sustained a human bite as the result of abuse or neglect may be the Reporter or Source of the CA/N report. 2) Usage

The Reporter/Source has reason to believe that the human bite resulted from one of the following:

A) A direct action of the parent, caregiver, immediate family member, other person residing in the home, the parent’s paramour, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare. (ABUSE)

B) The failure of the parent, caregiver, immediate family member, other person residing in the home, the parent’s paramour, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare to make reasonable efforts to stop an action by another person which resulted in a human bite. (ABUSE)

C) Blatant disregard of parental (or other person responsible for the child’s welfare) responsibilities which resulted in the child sustaining a human bite. (NEGLECT)

c) INVESTIGATING A REPORT

1) Documentation/Evidence Needed to Support Finding

A) Verify that the child currently has human bites or has sustained them in the past. Documented supervisory approval is necessary to indicate a case based on human bites not observed by the investigator (past human bites). B) Secure evidence that alleged perpetrator meets criteria of being a caretaker

Appendix B – Procedures 300

C) Verify the typology of the injury including the exact location of the human bites, age, pattern, color, percent of body affected, and source. Identify possible/plausible etiology (cause) based on available information. Document parent/caretaker explanation including scene observation and mock demonstration. Carefully document child’s statement. Use other professionals (forensic dentist) to help “match” injury with explanation especially if injuries are attributed to another child.

D) Secure evidence that the human bites are a direct result of some action by an eligible perpetrator (abuse) or the failure of a caretaker to stop the action of another person that results in human bites (abuse), or blatant disregard by a caretaker that results in human bites (neglect).

E) If police have conducted an investigation, the final finding must be obtained and documented. If the police report is not available, a case note must be included indicating the report has been requested along with documentation of the verbal statements. The supervisor must review the police report when it is received to ensure findings do not conflict with previously documented information received verbally.

F) If multiple possible perpetrators are identified, circumstantial evidence which identifies the most likely perpetrator.

G) Photographs (A ruler should be placed along the side of the injury to document the size of the bite.

2) Requirements for Initial Investigation

A) Data check and Soundex of members of the family and other subjects regularly frequenting or living in the home.

B) Thoroughly read and review prior investigations.

C) Interview reporter, source and OPWI identified in the current report or related information.

D) In person, individual interview with alleged child victim(s), assessment of physical injury including photographs or body chart, and completion of CERAP.

E) In person or phone interview with Law Enforcement, if the report was first investigated by police. This contact is to help establish the need to move to formal investigation phase.

F) Interview DCFS or private agency caseworker if a service case is currently open.

G) In person, individual interview with parents/caretakers. Parents should be contacted as soon as possible following contact with child victim(s). If CERAP is marked unsafe, parents must be interviewed immediately to ensure the child’s safety, and a formal investigation must be commenced. H) Notify Guardian ad litem if alleged child victim is DCFS ward or ward of

the court (e.g., a child home with a parent under an order of protection). I) Waiver of any of the above contacts must be given by the supervisor and

documented on a SACWIS Case Note.

3) Requirements for Proceeding to Formal Investigation

A) Determination that the child victim has human bites and there is reasonable cause to believe that the injury may have been the result of a direct action by an eligible caretaker (abuse), the failure by a parent/caretaker to protect a child from human bites caused by another person (abuse) or blatant disregard by an eligible caretaker (neglect); and the alleged victim is under the age of 18.

B) Apply “Factors to Be Considered” to determine if the current information supports moving to a formal investigation.

C) The decision to proceed to a formal investigation must be made within 14 days from the receipt of the report and documented on a SACWIS Case Note.

4) Requirements for Formal Investigation

A) In person, individual interview with parents/caretakers. If CERAP is marked unsafe, parents must be interviewed immediately to ensure the child’s safety.

B) In person, individual interview with alleged perpetrator.

C) In person, individual interview with all other adults and verbal children of the victim’s household. Non-verbal children must be observed.

D) In person, individual interview with all other adults and verbal children of the perpetrator’s household. Non-verbal children must be observed.

E) Interview all physicians with knowledge of reported injury.

F) Interview all identified witnesses who are reported to have knowledge of the incident that resulted in human bites.

G) If the family or the subjects identify two or more possible collateral contacts, at least two must be interviewed either by phone or in person.

Appendix B – Procedures 300

H) Interview DCFS or private agency caseworker if service case is currently closed but has been open within the past two years.

I) Interview other community professionals who have knowledge of the incident.

J) For children under age 12, interview school teacher or child care provider who has knowledge of the child and/or the level of care provided to the child.

K) Interview primary care physician or physician who has seen child in past six months.

L) Interview child protective services in other states in which the family members have resided in the previous five years. If history of maltreatment is uncovered, attempts must be made to gather abuse/neglect history for an additional five years.

M) Waiver of any of the above contacts must be given by the supervisor and documented on a SACWIS Case Note.

5) Required Medical Information and/or Consultations

A) The worker must ensure that the child receives an immediate medical exam if evidence exists the child is in need of urgent medical care.

B) Medical records (if medical attention has been sought or there is past history of medical attention). Expert opinion to match injury with a potential cause (etiology) if nature of the injury is unknown or contested. C) A second opinion is required when:

i) the treating physicians are unable or unwilling to offer an opinion regarding the cause of the injury; or

ii) there are conflicting opinions among treating physicians; or iii) the case has been staffed with a supervisor and, based on the

totality of the information gathered, the CPI is unable to make a well supported finding.

Note: The opinion of the physician with the most relevant specialization and experience should be given the greatest regard.

6) Law Enforcement/State’s Attorney Notification and Involvement

A) Law enforcement and the State’s Attorney shall be notified if protective custody is taken, or the alleged perpetrator is a paramour.

B) The State’s Attorney shall be notified if the current report is a second, or more, indicated report of abuse.

7) Assessment of “Factors to Be Considered” to Support Case Finding Not applicable to this allegation.

8) Notification of Findings

A) Verbally notify the family of the recommended finding.

B) Verbally notify the mandated reporter of the recommended finding.

C) With parental consent, notify collateral contacts that were interviewed if the case is unfounded.

D) Notify the Guardian ad litem of investigative findings if the victim is a DCFS ward or a ward of the court (e.g., a child home with a parent under an order of protection).

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