Pandemic impact on child abuse and neglect cases

Pandemic impact on child abuse and neglect cases

New at ten -- staying at home instead of returning to school classrooms next month could put the lives of many alabama children at risk.

Compared to last summer -- the number of child abuse and neglect prevention reports is down in the state.

It's a trend officials credit to the coronavirus pandemic... and fear it could worsen as students start the school year virtually instead of in-person.

It's important to note that traditionally fewer child abuse and neglect cases are reported during the summer.

In fact -- between 2017 to 2019 -- reports in alabama dropped an average of 25 percent from may to june.

However, in those same years -- reporting increased by 28.3 percent from july to august.

But as we look at 2020 -- not only is the reporting down compared to last year -- but also there's a concern it won't increase by august.

Waay31's megan reyna learned more about what's causing this downward trend and what you can do to spot neglect.

Nats smith says:"abuse and neglect did not take a vacation during this pandemic" every year in alabama -- thousands of kids face neglect and abuse and end up in foster care.

And even as the world faces a health crisis -- this type of crisis hasn't gone away... according to karen smith.

She oversees alabama's children and family services.

Smith says:"it's still there, it's still prevalent, there has been a decrease in abuse and neglect reporting, that doesn't mean that it's not occurring."

In fact, if you compare march... april... and may of this year to last year... reporting has decreased by about 26 percent.

The most drastic drop in april.

Smith says:"isolating or remaining in their home, that has limited children's access to outside resources, to church to day care, to school, to baseball teams, to coaches, the extracurricular activities they usually participated in."

But smith is also concerned about this upcoming school year.

Educators are among the list of mandated reporters -- and with some districts choosing to start the year off with remote learning -- that could mean less reporting.

Smith says:"you have bus drivers, you also have the janitorial staff, the lunchroom staffs, it goes beyond in a school setting just teachers."

However -- anyone can report neglect or abuse.

Some things to look out for are drastic mood changes in a child or a decrease in hygiene.

Smith says:"just looking at the overall picture, has this child changed?

We reached out to all three school districts in madison county to see if they are talking with teachers about how to spot neglect or abuse during the first nine weeks of virtual learning those systems have planned.

We only heard back from huntsville city schools.

In a statement the school said quote "the huntsville city schools student welfare and social services department will continue to serve as a liaison between students, their families, and local social service agencies.

Social workers will continue to provide wraparound services for students and families in addition to serving as a