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As a Colorado Springs child abuse lawyer, it is not uncommon for me to hear from parents who suspect another family member or caregiver of child abuse.  Suspicious bruises on their child, unusual behavior, or an unusual amount of anxiety in their child would give any parent a reason to wonder if their child is being abused.  But proving it may be very difficult, especially if the child is very young.

Here are some steps you can take to begin investigating your suspicions before you get in touch with an attorney.

• Talk through your feelings and suspicions with your partner or a trusted friend.  Or, if your child attends a day care facility, ask other parents if they have noticed anything unusual with their children.
• In the case of a daycare provider, speak with the provider in person, and bring another adult with you as a support person.  By listening to the caregiver’s reaction, you will be able to gather a lot of valuable information.  Even their non-verbal signals may be valuable in assessing the situation.  Is he or she feeling defensive, hostile, concerned?
• If you have reason to believe that further investigation is needed, it makes sense to contact a Colorado Springs child abuse lawyer for a consultation.  An attorney will advise you to report your suspicions by calling your local Child Protective Services agency, and let you know what type of evidence will be needed in order to bring charges against the alleged perpetrator.  
• A social worker from Child Protective Services will need to interview you and your child, and will make sure your child is examined by a physician who can fill out a detailed report on your child’s physical condition.  In some cases, the social worker will also recommend that your child meet with a psychologist.

If a case can be made for child abuse, a Colorado Springs child abuse lawyer will guide you through the steps that need to be followed, and will file all the necessary petitions with the appropriate Colorado courts. 

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Family Law LLC, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Family Law LLC is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.