To report a example, please use theMDCPS Report Child Abuse online organization or by downloading the MDCPS Report Child Abuse mobile app through ane of the following links:

In accordance with Section 43-21-105 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, "Abused Child means a kid whose parent, guardian or custodian or whatsoever person responsible for his intendance or support, whether legally obligated to do and so or not, has caused or allowed to be caused upon said kid sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, emotional abuse, mental injury, non-accidental physical injury or other maltreatment. Provided, however that physical subject field, including spanking, performed on a child by a parent, guardian or custodianin a reasonable style shall non be deemed abuse under this section."

Whatsoever person who knows or has reason to suspect corruption or neglect of a child by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person(s) responsible for the child'due south intendance, is required by constabulary to make a report to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. See Department 43-21-105 and Department 43-21-353 of the Mississippi Lawmaking for more than information.

Be prepared to provide (as known):

  • Victim'southward name, accost or location, school information, approximate age, race and sex.
  • Description of the situation and marks or bruises that may be present.
  • Person responsible for victim's care, alleged perpetrator name(s), and witnesses to the situation.
  • Other relevant information that would expedite an investigation such as; manufacturing of drugs in the home, possession of weapons, domestic violence, etc.

Telephone call local law enforcement agency or 911 if the situation is a life-threatening emergency.

A situation where a child is at immediate gamble of corruption/fail that could outcome in decease or serious damage is considered an emergency. If you have any doubt about your referral being an emergency, please call Mississippi Centralized Intake instead of using the online referral system.

Call Mississippi Centralized Intake at i-800-222-8000 (Nationwide) or (601) 432-4570 if:

  • You adopt to submit the report verbally.
  • The situation you lot are reporting is an emergency.
  • The suspected abuse/neglect you are reporting occurred outside the state of Mississippi, and you practise not know how to contact the country where information technology occurred.

If none of the above applies, delight click the post-obit link to make a non-emergency report:

Report Kid Abuse/Neglect Online

Indicators of Abuse

Emotional or verbal abuse is anything said or done that is hurtful or threatening to a child and is the most difficult form of maltreatment to identify. Examples include:

  • Proper name calling ("You're stupid")
  • Belittling ("I wish yous were never born")
  • Destroying child's possessions or pets
  • Threatens to damage child or people they intendance about ("I'm going to choke you" or "I'll pause your arm")
  • Locking a child in a cupboard or box
  • Rejecting a child
  • Isolating a child

Sexual abuse is any inappropriate touching past a friend, family unit member, anyone having ongoing contact with the child, and/or a stranger. Examples include:

  • Touching a child'due south genital expanse
  • Any blazon of penetration of a child
  • Allowing a child to view or participate in pornography
  • Prostitution, selling your child for coin, drugs, etc.
  • Forcing a child to perform oral sex acts
  • Masturbating in front of a child
  • Having sex in front of a child

Concrete abuse is any type of contact that results in bodily damage, such as bruising, abrasions, broken bones, internal injuries, burning, missing teeth, and skeletal injuries. Examples include:

  • Hitting or slapping a kid with an extension string, hands, belts, fists, broom handles, brushes, etc.
  • Putting child into hot water
  • Cut the child with a knife or any other precipitous object
  • Shaking or twisting artillery or legs or yanking a child by the arm
  • Putting tape over a kid's mouth
  • Tying a child up with rope or cord
  • Throwing a child beyond a room or down the stairs

Neglect means non meeting the basic needs of the child and is the near mutual form of maltreatment:

  • Medical – not giving a child life-sustaining medicines, over-medicating, or non obtaining special treatment devices deemed necessary by a physician
  • Supervision – leaving kid/children unattended or leaving kid/children in the care of other children also young to protect them (depending upon the maturity of the child)
  • Clothing and Hygiene – dressing children inadequately for weather or persistent pare disorders resulting from improper hygiene
  • Diet – lack of sufficient quantity or quality of food, letting a child consistently complain of hunger, or allowing the child to rummage for food
  • Shelter – having structurally unsafe housing, inadequate heating, or unsanitary housing conditions