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NEWS4U JUNE 2022 | LOCAL HAPPENINGS

Attorney Ask an WITH LANE SIESKY / SIESKY LAW FIRM, PC

Focusing on personal injury, civil litigation, whistleblower claims and workers' compensation law, Siesky Law Firm strives to provide excellent legal services while remaining client and community centered. The Evansville-based trio of top attorneys - including Lane Siesky, Daniel Gearhart and Douglas Briody - boasts years of invaluable experience inside and outside the courtroom. Highly-respected with an impeccable track record, the firm's aggressive representation of its clients continues to benefit the community in myriad ways.

Q: I am very concerned that my child is being neglected and/or abused by my child care provider. What are the warning signs that I should be looking for?

A:Allowing a stranger to care for your children can be very stressful and scary for a parent. A parent’s worst fear is the possibility that a childcare provider could neglect or even physically or sexually abuse a child. This fear is especially true when the child is too young to explain to a parent what is going on. So, as parents, we must be alert and pay attention to signs that a child may be being mistreated or abused. Even older children, at the pre-school or school age, may not tell you what is happening out of fear or shame. Knowing what to look for will make spotting abuse a lot easier.

SIGNS A CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED, MISTREATED, OR NEGLECTED:

- Unchanged diaper - Dirty hands and face - Unusual hunger or thirst - Unexplained bruises, scratches, pinches, etc. - Unusually aggressive behavior exhibited by child - Unusually withdrawn behavior exhibited by child

BEHAVIORS THAT MAY POINT TO A CHILD BEING ABUSED:

- Reluctance to go to daycare - Unexplained injuries - Sleep disturbances - Flinching in response to your movements - Becomes aggressive towards siblings or pets - Becomes clingy or fearful around others - Becomes shy or withdrawn - Unusually excessive crying Sexual abuse can be even harder to identify as sexual abusers are master manipulators and will often threaten their victims to keep them from speaking up. As a parent, you must be in tune with your child.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR:

- Unusual anxiety and fearfulness - Displaying inappropriate sexual behavior or knowledge - Sleep disturbance or nightmares - Painful urination or bowel movements - Regression to infant-like behavior such as bedwetting or thumb sucking - Becomes unusually shy or withdrawn - Becomes unusually angry or aggressive

At Siesky Law, we have handled child abuse cases that involve physical abuse and child molestation. We offer free consultations that are confidential.

Disclaimer: The above information provided by Siesky Law Firm, PC, is not legal advice and should not be taken as legal advice. Application of the law is highly fact sensitive and readers should consult with an attorney on legal matters.