Reporting suspected abuse is the most important step you can take to protecting our children. If you suspect abuse, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.252.5400 or if the child is in immediate danger CALL 911.

If possible, please gather the following information:

The more information provided, the more effective Child Protective Services (CPS) can be when investigating the case; so provide as much information as you possibly can.

• Locating information
  • Address-Home and where child can best be located (school, sitter, etc.)
  • Phone numbers home and work
    
• Identifying information
  • Child's age or birth date
  • Child's current condition, including injuries
  • Any emotional, behavioral, or physical problems the child may have
  • Same information about child's sibling

When you call the child abuse hotline at 1.800.252.5400.

• This number is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• It is not long distance
• It is located in Austin, where a group of caseworkers answer and take all the child abuse reports for the state. BE PATIENT!
• Be specific
  • Tell exactly what happened and when
  • Child's specific condition and sibling's, if known
  • Identify the person responsible for abuse/neglect, if known
    
• DO NOT tell the child's parent or person responsible that you are reporting
  • This could endanger the child
• CPS considers the following factors when determining substantial risk of harm:
  • Extent and severity of the injury
  • Location of the injury on the child's body
  • The child's age (the younger the child, the higher the risk)
  • Frequency and duration of the same behavior or similar incidents
  • Previous history of abuse or neglect
  • How the injury occurred or was inflicted