If she's in preschool, I'd talk to her teachers. They should be trained in when and how to report suspected abuse, plus they need to be aware.

CPS may need to be brought in but you don't know the protocol and neither do a bunch of anonymous internet posters. DO NOT take pictures or take her to the pediatrician on your own. Talk to her teachers or someone at her school. They will be better trained and equipped to handle this properly.

Taking pictures might come back to bite you. I'd take her to the doctors and let them examine her so it's documented.

Also take pictures.

Anonymous wrote:Bruising distinguishes normal spanks from abuse. Call CPS and take her to the ped so the bruises can be documented

This. Can't believe this is even being questioned. We are mandated reporters in most (all?) states. You see abuse, you document and report it IMMEDIATELY while the marks are present!!

Anonymous wrote:I dont think I would do anything. Is there anything that would lead you to believe they are abusive in other ways?

Lots of people spank their kids on the bottom with an open hand.
If a belt was used, or it was on the face that would be different IMO.

Nope. I just think DB got mad and spanked her, don't know with what. She has been coming home from school with tiny bruises on her bottom and thighs.... I tell MB as soon as I see them.

Bruising distinguishes normal spanks from abuse. Call CPS and take her to the ped so the bruises can be documented

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people spank their kids on the bottom with an open hand.
If a belt was used, or it was on the face that would be different IMO.

Welts don't come from using a hand though, and it's a two-yaer-old. That's clear physical abuse.

I'm not even in the US but I'm sure it's against the law to spank a child with an implement, especially to the point of leaving welts? And hands don't leave welts.

Speak to the parents as soon as possible and impress upon them that spanking is a. illegal, b. ineffective, suggest other ways of discipline. If you suspect they've done it again call CPS.

I dont think I would do anything. Is there anything that would lead you to believe they are abusive in other ways?

Lots of people spank their kids on the bottom with an open hand.
If a belt was used, or it was on the face that would be different IMO.

Anonymous wrote:Did you ask the child who hit her? What did she say?

I asked who spanked her and she said daddy. The welts aren't bad, just two I can tell is from spanking a bare bottom too hard. A bit bruised too.

Did you ask the child who hit her? What did she say?

If they are clearly there because her bottom has been hit with either a hand or something else, CALL CPS!! Whether or not MB says they use corporal punishment, welts = abuse. Call CPS.

Now, if they could be from something else, I'd probably hold off. That's something you'll have to judge though. If you're a full-time nanny for this child you probably know their activity level and know if the "welts" could be from something else. Honestly though, welts on the bottom of a diapered child would be alarming to me.

A quick google search found this- http://dc.gov/DC/CFSA/Support+the+Safety+Net/Report+Child+Abuse+and+Neglect

Call CPS

It's also to protect them.

What if the people who paid you, were the people your charges need to be protected against?

MB said they don't do corporal punishment. Yet two-year-old charge has welts on her rear end. What would you do?