Has your child suffered abuse while attending a daycare facility in Iowa? Call us today at 1-877-403-9378 to discuss your legal options moving forward.
Daycare abuse is a serious problem all over the United States. In spite of the regulations that control licensed daycare centers in Iowa, abuse still occurs on a daily basis. The only way to control the problem is for parents and caregivers to make themselves aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and to act on their suspicions by reporting them to the proper authorities.
A daycare abuse attorney may be able to help you and your family file a civil claim against the daycare in question in order to recover money damages for any and all related losses, such as medical bills, therapy/counseling, the parent’s lost wages, the cost of alternative child case, as well as pain and suffering.
Iowa Daycare Abuse Cases in the News
When it comes to daycare abuse, Iowa certainly has its share. One daycare provider was sentenced to time in prison after she pleaded guilty to separate counts of child endangerment. The daycare provider was sentenced to up to five years (and two years on another charge) in June of 2017 when her husband reported she was abusing the children in her care. Her husband turned over hidden surveillance video that showed her abusing a child, leading to her arrest.
In a another day care abuse case in Pleasant Hill, a mother and daughter who were running an in-home day care were arrested following an incident on August 1st, 2016. The arrest resulted from allegedly neglecting a nine-month-old infant in their care. According to court documents, this lack of supervision caused the child to suffer bite marks all over her body from another child. Apparently the providers were in the living room, and the children were left alone, neglected in their cribs upstairs from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Not only was the child not treated for her injuries by daycare staff, but the daycare reportedly did not even notify the mother. After the mother brought the child to the emergency room, the hospital notified the police and the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Types of Childcare in Iowa
Licensed daycare centers usually care for dozens of children. There are approximately 1,400 licensed daycare providers in the state of Iowa. These centers are required to follow a substantial number of rules and regulations, including at least one unannounced monitoring visit every year from the Department of Social Services. It is possible to locate the most recent consultant report on each center’s website.
The state of Iowa also has approximately 3,600 licensed child development homes. Any person who desires to provide childcare in their home can apply for a license. Registration is required for anyone providing child care to more than five children. There are also people who provide childcare services in their homes but care for five or fewer children. These homes are not legally required to be registered with the state, which is troubling to say the least.
Requirements to Report Abuse
The important thing for parents to be aware of are the warning signs of child abuse at daycare. Make sure to report all suspected daycare abuse to the proper authorities. It is not your obligation to investigate your suspicions; all you’re asked to do is make a report so that authorities can investigate. Even if you are not certain, there is no harm in making a report.
There are several types of professionals who are legally required to report suspected cases of abuse. The following professionals are legally defined as “mandatory reporters.”
- Social workers
- Private or public health care workers
- Psychologists
- School employees
- Employees and operators of licensed childcare centers, head start programs, registered child development homes, and other types of state regulated childcare centers
- Employees of substance abuse programs
- Employees of a Department of Human Services institution
- Employees of juvenile detention or juvenile shelter facilities
- Employees of a mental health center
- Police officers
- Counselors or mental health professionals
- Employees who are providers of services to children who have funding under a special federal approved program of medical assistance and under a community-based waiver
Do I Need a Lawyer?
The answer to this question really depends on the facts of your case. If your child suffered from abuse at a daycare facility in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, or anywhere in Iowa, call us for a free consultation at 1-877-403-9378. We’re happy to look into the facts of your case and advise you of your options moving forward. If we feel as though you have a valid claim, we may even be able to handle your case on a contingency basis (no-win, no-fee).