• Meet Our Team
  • Advertise on SCDN
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, July 1
Scioto County Daily News
  • Login
  • Register
Subscribe For $1/week
  • Public Safety
    ppd 124

    🚨CPS CALLED AFTER CHILD THREAT—INTERPRETER HELPS CONNECT CRUCIAL DETAILS 

    Cops Recover Missing 14-Year-Old Girl in Portsmouth After High-Stakes Search 

    Back on the Radar: Troubled Woman Arrested Again After Report of Public Defecation — When Will Portsmouth Act? 

    scioto county rehabs in the news

    💥 Gunshots, & Chaos: Recovery Facility Feud Explodes Again in Lawrence County 

    Sheriff sticker

    🚨 Sunday Surge: Stabbings, Fires, and False Alarms Mark a Chaotic Day for Scioto County First Responders 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 06/30/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    SCDN File Photo

    Heroes in Uniform: First Responders Step Up During Mental Health Emergency in Wheelersburg

    Sheriff night 2

    🚨Crowbar Chaos in West Portsmouth! Ex-Boyfriend Brawl Leaves One Injured, Suspects on the Run🚓 

    Scioto County Dog Shelter

    Help Fill the Scioto County Dog Shelter with Love: Sponsor a Dog Kennel Today! 

    Sheriff sticker

    Busy Day for Scioto County First Responders: Medical Runs, Alarms, and Crime Reports Stack Up 

    William Kerns

    🔥Flasher, Firebug & Free Again? Paroled Arsonist William Kerns Arrested (Again) After June 26 Parole Violation 

    dog animal cruelty

    Animal Hoarding Horror: Shock Sentences That Have the Town Talking! 😱🐾 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 06/27/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    police ppd banner

    Grace Under Pressure: Portsmouth Police Calm Chaos at Marathon Without Making Arrest 

    CASA Program Cut: What Happens to Scioto County’s Foster Kids Now? 

    Sheriff sticker

    🚨 Busy Wednesday in Scioto County: Medical Runs, Burglaries, Fires, and Road Woes Keep First Responders on the Move 🚓🚑🔥 

    Naked Woman

    📱Nude Nightmare: Woman Targeted in Vicious ‘Revenge Porn’ Attack by Ex 

    Family’s Clash with Scioto County Deputies Sparks Allegations of False Charges and Legal Missteps 

    New Dog Bite Law Could Strain Already Maxed-Out Scioto County Shelter and Court System 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 06/26/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics
    No Kings

    Scioto Dems Snort at “Well-Funded” No Kings Protest Claim

    Cathy Coleman Still Fighting: Family Shuts Down Hospice Rumors, Says Recovery Still Underway

    County May Tap Opioid Settlement Funds to Finish MARCS Tower Project 

    Cathy Coleman

    ‘Small Steps, Big Faith’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Edges Closer to Recovery 

    ‘Praise God!’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Remarkable Progress After Harrowing Weeks

    Cathy Coleman

    Cautious Hope and Harsh Realities: New Details Emerge on Commissioner Cathy Coleman’s Condition 

    Scioto County Commissioners Cancel This Week’s Meeting 

    Robert Horton

    Sudden Twist: Horton Court Dates Scrapped Ahead of Trial 

    ‘A Sign of Hope’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Small Improvements Amid Ongoing Critical Condition 

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder Gary Jenkins Unveils New Office Website 

    Staggering 236 Recovery Houses in Area — and the Fight for Reform Faces Pushback 

    Cathy Coleman

    Community Urged to Pray For Cathy Coleman as Family Faces Devastating Update 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Scottie Powell on Trans Sanctuary Resolution: “Symbolic, Not Substantive” 

    Cathy Coleman

    Update from the Scioto County Commissioners on Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    What Did Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Sanctuary Resolution Really Say? 

    Portsmouth Rehab

    Portsmouth Rejects LGBTQ+ Sanctuary City Status in Heated Council Vote 

    Cathy Coleman

    It’s a Miracle! – Scioto County Rallies Around Commissioner Cathy Coleman After Medical Crisis Turnaround 

    Scioto County Rallies in Prayer for Commissioner Cathy Coleman After Tragic Crash 

    Risky Business? City Wants to Sell $4.5 Million in Bonds

    Portsmouth LGBT Sanctuary City Proposal Scrapped – New Resolution Coming

  • Feel Good

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

    Three girls in quinceañera dresses stand beside one another. The one in middle has a gold dress while the other two wear pink.

    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

    An angler standing at the edge of a lake just after sunset with three fishing rods resting on the ground next to him.

    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

    good cops

    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

    good cops

    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

    A group of people stands outside with their arms in the air. They hold their hands together, making a pyramid shape.

    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

    good cops

    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

    Good Samaritan 2

    Good Neighbor and Officer to the Rescue 

    Portsmouth Flood Wall Stars

    Meet the New Flood Wall Stars! 

    A bearded man is sitting on the floor and comforting his dog in a wheelchair. The dog has his ears pinned back.

    Training Tips To Help Your Dog Get Used to Their Wheelchair

    U.S. housing market

    Tips for Making Your New House Feel Like a Home

    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

    A man approaching the bowling lane with a red bowling ball as his three friends in the background cheer him on.

    How Bowling Can Improve Your Mental Health

    good cops

    Lost Kid Calls Cops for Help 

    Backyard camping

    Backyard Adventure: Unforgettable Family Camping

    Sunshine or Snowflakes: Which Season Wins America’s Heart?

  • Obituaries
    Mahala Dawn Pelfrey

    Mahala Dawn Pelfrey, 49 of Lucasville

    Nancy Ackerman-Nash, 71 of Granbury

    Nancy Ackerman-Nash, 71 of Granbury

    Denver Eugene Raike

    Denver Eugene Raike, 87 of Wheelersburg

    Robin Gail Ramsey, 63 of West Portsmouth

    Geneva Mullins 78 of New Boston

    Willard Fenton

    Willard Fenton, 86, of South Webster

    Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis, 75 of McDermott

    Judy Gayle (Wells) Scifres

    Judy Gayle Scifres, 74 of South Shore,

    Braxton Spears Jr., 76, of South Shore,

    Braxton Spears Jr., 76 of South Shore

    Walter Ronald Kidd

    Walter Ronald Kidd, 89 of Xenia

    Lois Helen Friend

    Lois Helen Friend, 76 of Lucasville

    Patricia Ann Holland

    Patricia Ann Holland, 93 of Waverly

    Marsha Faye Gammon

    Marsha Faye Gammon, 72 of Wheelersburg

    Janet Sue Perkins

    Janet Sue Perkins, 79 of Ashland

    Barbara Williams

    Nancy L. Pistole, 85 of West Portsmouth

    Charles Lloyd Smith

    Charles Lloyd Smith, 84, of Portsmouth

    Maxine Ballard

    Maxine Ballard, 84, of South Point

    David Paul Kidder

    David Paul Kidder, 57 of West Portsmouth

    Carolyn Sue Reeder,

    Carolyn Sue Reeder, 75 of Portsmouth

    Dorothy Jane Pistole

    Dorothy Jane Pistole, 64 of Portsmouth

  • More News
    • All News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Food & Drinks
    • Local Business
    • National
    • Opinion
    • Regional
    • Strange But True
    • Trending
No Result
View All Result
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result

When a Child Reports Abuse: How Schools, Police, and CPS Investigate Allegations 

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
4 months ago
in Public Safety
ShareTweetEmail

When a young child tells a teacher they’ve been hurt at home, it sets off a carefully structured investigation involving school officials, law enforcement, and child protective services (CPS). A recent case at a local Elementary School offers a look into how these cases unfold—and how authorities determine if a child is truly in danger. 

The Report 

On a Wednesday morning, a local Elementary student told a teacher that his father had punched him in the nose while they were in the car before school. The teacher immediately took the child to the principal, who noticed some dried blood in his nose and a possible mark on his cheek. 

School officials followed protocol for suspected abuse cases by:
✅ Sending the child to the nurse for evaluation
✅ Reporting the incident to Child Protective Services (CPS)
✅ Notifying law enforcement 

RELATED POSTS

🚨CPS CALLED AFTER CHILD THREAT—INTERPRETER HELPS CONNECT CRUCIAL DETAILS 

Cops Recover Missing 14-Year-Old Girl in Portsmouth After High-Stakes Search 

Back on the Radar: Troubled Woman Arrested Again After Report of Public Defecation — When Will Portsmouth Act? 

Since there was no School Resource Officer on duty at the elementary that day, an officer from the high school responded to take a formal police report. 

The Investigation Begins 

At 12:15 PM, after speaking with school staff and gathering a statement from the child, the officer visited the child’s home to interview the parents. 

  • The father denied hitting his son, saying the child often experiences nosebleeds due to anxiety. 
  • The mother was visibly upset, stating that if her husband were an abuser, she wouldn’t allow herself or the child to be around him. 
  • The father admitted to using a belt as discipline but denied ever punching his child in the face. 

The officer checked the father’s hands for redness or injuries consistent with a recent punch but found none. 

Examining the Evidence 

To determine the credibility of the child’s statement, investigators reviewed school security footage from the morning drop-off. The video showed:
The father’s car arriving late to the drop-off line
The child exiting the vehicle without crying or appearing distressed
The child hugging a teacher and showing no visible injuries or bleeding 

The school nurse was also consulted and confirmed the child had never previously been seen for routine nosebleeds or suspicious injuries. 

Child Protective Services (CPS) Steps In 

When a Lawrence County CPS agent arrived, they conducted their own interview with the child. The child’s responses changed multiple times: 

Initially, the child stated that his father had never hit him before.
Later, when asked again, the child said, “A couple of weeks ago.”
Finally, when pressed, the child claimed, “Yeah, he punches me all the time in the face.” 

After comparing notes with police and school officials, CPS determined that the child’s changing statements made it difficult to establish credibility. While they did not find enough evidence to remove the child from the home, they decided to implement a protection plan to monitor the situation. 

Please Support This Local Business

No Arrests, But Continued Vigilance 

Due to insufficient evidence, police did not file charges against the father. However, the officer documented the incident in case of future concerns. School officials were also advised to keep a close watch on the child for any new injuries or signs of distress. 

How Abuse Investigations Work 

When a child reports abuse, authorities must act quickly but carefully. Investigations follow these key steps: 

1️⃣ Immediate Action – Teachers and school officials are mandated reporters, meaning they must report suspected abuse to CPS and law enforcement.
2️⃣ Medical and Physical Evidence – Nurses check for visible injuries, and security footage can help verify claims.
3️⃣ Interviews – Police, CPS, and school officials interview the child and parents separately.
4️⃣ Evaluating Consistency – If a child’s statements change, it may indicate coaching, confusion, or exaggeration.
5️⃣ CPS Protection Plans – Even if there isn’t enough for an arrest, CPS can still monitor the family and offer services or interventions. 

What to Do If You Suspect Child Abuse 

Look for signs – Unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, or extreme fear of a caregiver can be warning signs.
Report concerns – Call 911 or CPS if you suspect a child is in immediate danger.
Trust the professionals – Schools and authorities follow strict procedures to ensure child safety while avoiding false accusations. 

This case highlights the challenges of abuse investigations—but also the importance of reporting concerns, even when the truth isn’t immediately clear. Authorities remain committed to protecting children while ensuring fair investigations. 

Tags: ArrestsChildrenFamilyinvestigationLawLawrence CountyNewsletterPoliceprofessionalssafetyschools
Please Support This Local Business

TRENDING NOW

SCDN File Photo

Heroes in Uniform: First Responders Step Up During Mental Health Emergency in Wheelersburg

June 27, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 06/27/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

June 27, 2025
Sheriff night 2

🚨Crowbar Chaos in West Portsmouth! Ex-Boyfriend Brawl Leaves One Injured, Suspects on the Run🚓 

June 27, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 06/26/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

June 26, 2025

BOOM, BANDS & BIG PLANS: Portsmouth’s 4th of July Lights Up Spartan Stadium—Riverfront Future in Sight 

June 17, 2025

ABOUT US

We are a grassroots team of local journalists on a mission to give our community up-to-the-second news and events for Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Western West Virginia. We believe progress inspires change and we believe our reporting has become the front-lines of Portsmouth, Ohio's comeback.

CATEGORIES

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Casino
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • Food & Drink
  • Local Business
  • National
  • Obituaries
  • Ohio
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Public Safety
  • Regional
  • Strange But True
  • Video

AREAS SERVED

  • Portsmouth
  • Wheelersburg
  • Minford
  • Waverly
  • Friendship
  • Ironton
  • West Union
  • Piketon
  • Coal Grove
  • South Point
  • Vanceburg
  • Grayson
  • South Shore
  • Greenup
  • Raceland
  • Ashland

SITE SEARCH

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.