July 24, 2003
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Sunburn = Child Abuse???
Apparently a teacher at my son’s school tends to think so!
Yesterday, my Mom sent a note with my son stating that if they were going to be in the wading pool that he would need to keep a shirt on due to a sunburn that he has on his left shoulder…and she included an extra shirt for this very reason.
A few minutes after my son stepped off the bus and into the house, a police officer showed up at my front door! He told my Mom that the teacher had reported child abuse to Child Services regarding the “burn” on Caleb’s shoulder!
The police officer was very nice and after seeing the “burn” stated that it was clearly a sunburn and not an afflicted burn. (well duh)
After the officer left the house, my Mom called me at work to tell me what had just happened. I was floored! Since when is a sunburn (clearly a sunburn) a form of child abuse??? And why, (for the love of God) did this substitute teacher not contact me first regarding this matter before reporting me to Child Services claiming that I’ve abused my son??!
I’m still beyond angry about this matter…I know that everything is “okay” legally as far as any questions regarding whether or not I abuse my child, BUT…my parental rights have been violated and the thought of ANYONE (especially a teacher) thinking for a second that I would ever intentionally injure one of my children (especially Caleb) drives me insane! It’s completely absurd!! I would NEVER!!
Even with all that my Jonah does…I would still never purposely “injure” him. In fact, I sent him to his Dad’s so that I wouldn’t have to discipline him SO much!
What is wrong with people now and days, when they can’t even call the parent and inquire about something as simple as a sunburn? That they feel the necessity to report the parent to Child Services instead?
I don’t understand…but what I DO understand is that this teacher may not be teaching much longer. Parents have rights too…and dammit, I’m a GOOD Mom!
~Maria
UPDATE
11:15am
My Mom went in and talked to the substitute teacher this morning and found out that it wasn’t her that reported to Child Services…it was a man who is a visiting Speech Therapist from the district! He was VERY rude to my Mom and refused to call and speak with me!
He stated that if I wanted to converse with him that I would have to come down to the school to do so. (hello…idiot) He also stated that he didn’t need to explain his reasons for calling Child Services to my Mom or anyone for that matter! He said that the cause of the “burn” was not clear (apparently he can’t read AND is BLIND!).
My Mom (I’m proud of her for not killing him) handled herself quite well and did manage to get his business card with his information on it. I will be contacting my son’s Case Manager (appointed to him by the school and state) regarding this incident and will be filing a complaint (and whatever else I can file)!!
Apparently the man that made the call didn’t even inform the main teacher that he was doing so, she was in shock when my Mom told her this morning.
What a LOSER!
Comments (12)
OMG, Maria! That’s horrible! What an idiot that sub is!!! I can totally understand your being upset!
That is horrible!!! HOw dare they do that! WOW.. A sunburn?? Ridiculous. I hope you reported her and told the school a thing or two!
I would be absolutely LIVID!! Damn, some people have no brains I swear to god!!! Did you call and speak to her?
Good grief!!!! That is pathetic of that teacher!!! I would be really upset too!
and {{{hugs}}}
OH, that is even more ridiculous!! I hope he gets fired for that. Doesnt he know that even though you are innocent to any abuse, that it still leaves its mark! He absolutely should have called you! God, one would hope the teacher would at least call the parent first for a FIRST time accusation. SHEESH.. This really get me going.. Grrrrr…
What a ridiculous thing to happen to you . Here there was a case last week in our very warm weather when a school would not let a child put on sunscreen when out playing
Yikes, that’s awful. Sorry you guys had to handle that, I hope you can get it taken care of somehow… a little justice, you know…
Oh my goodness, I’d have gone ballistic. I’m so impressed that your mother managed to keep her cool because I know it wouldn’t have done any good to go down there and knock the guy’s teeth in, but boy it would’ve been fun.. what a bastard. I’m so sorry you had some loser like that spoil your day for you, darl, he’s clearly an idiot
Sadly I keep hearing about this type of thing happening over and over again. Too many people that feel the government should own the children. Parents are really not in charge anymore. I am glad my children are raised! Sorry you had to go through this but I feel that it is important that he be reported!
Oh my gosh, this is just the most obsured thing I have heard, for the love of pete, people need to get a grip of themselves, I wonder if he would report something that was really worth reporting. OFF WITH HIS HEAD, take care and God Bless.
I don’t know what else to say about it, honey– except that I know you’re an excellent mother and would never hurt your children.
Guy’s a dork and should be removed from our reality.