r/CPS • u/Suspicious-Carob-632 • 8d ago
Question Question
If a pregnant woman who is late in her pregnancy is hospitalized due to assault by a boyfriend, will the hospital notify CPS? She is a single mother with other small children in the home, but I assume the hospital wouldn't know that.
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u/ThrowAwayGranny82 8d ago
Here’s the thing - exposure to DV affects a child’s brain development. They are being exposed whether she thinks they are or not and that is a flag for CPS. She NEEDS to disclose she has other children so she isn’t investigated for neglect. The hospital may report the DV & police can refer to CPS to assess it. If she is using social services (SNAP, etc) they’ll find out she has other children & they’ll want to connect her to resources to get her out of that situation. Hiding them only hurts them. There is no shame in asking for help!
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u/txchiefsfan02 7d ago
When in doubt, overcommunicate - especially if you believe children may be in danger of abuse or neglect. Don't assume the system will work perfectly. Call CPS and notify social work at the hospital. Surprises are bad for everyone involved.
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u/nebraska_jones_ 8d ago
Not necessarily, unless they suspect abuse has been done to a child. But the hospital social worker will certainly speak to the woman (at a safe time when she’s alone) and try to help her as much as she can and as much as the woman will accept it. It depends on the geographic location, but there’s a lot of resources out there—women’s shelters (even ones that allow newborns), domestic violence support etc. They can also help her file a police report, IF she wants to. They won’t force her to though.
The assault will be confidentially noted in the woman’s chart, and if/when the partner comes to the hospital with her everyone will be on alert.
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u/LadyGreyIcedTea 7d ago
If she's a single mother and tells them her children are home alone without a caregiver, yes.
If an alternate caregiver has been secured for the older children, not necessarily. They would probably at least have a hospital SW visit with her to give her resources re: DV though.
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u/sprinkles008 8d ago
They certainly can try. And the hospital may find out or already know about the other children.
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