Risk of Re-Reporting Among Infants Who Remain at Home Following Alleged Maltreatment

Abstract

Maltreatment that begins during infancy is likely to be chronic in duration and developmentally consequential if the appropriate intervention is not delivered. Repeated reports of maltreatment may signal unmet service needs. This study prospectively followed infants who remained at home following an initial report of maltreatment to determine the rate of re-reporting within 5 years. Birth records for all children born in California in 2006 were linked to statewide child protection records through 2012; 5.2% (n = 29,135) of children were reported for abuse or neglect prior to age 1. Following an initial report, 81.9% of infants remained in the home, the majority (60.7%) of whom were re-reported within 5 years. The highest rate of re-reporting was observed among infants whose initial allegation was substantiated and who had a case opened for family maintenance services (69.1%). Infants whose initial allegation was not investigated had re-reporting rates that were equal to or higher than other infants remaining in the home without services. Findings highlight that most families with infants reported for maltreatment are not formally served through the child protection system. High rates of re-reporting underscore the challenge of delivering services that remedy conditions necessitating child protection follow-up and call attention to the importance of accessing data from community service providers.

Infants and the decision to provide ongoing child welfare services

“…Moreover, 17.9% of infants involved in the index investigation had been previously investigated by the child welfare system for alleged maltreatment. High rates of re-reported maltreatment have been found in the literature among infants with both substantiated and unsubstantiated reports post-investigation [3]. Repeated child welfare involvement suggests that infants are at high risk of ongoing adversities [3] and is an important area for future research.…”

“…High rates of re-reported maltreatment have been found in the literature among infants with both substantiated and unsubstantiated reports post-investigation [3]. Repeated child welfare involvement suggests that infants are at high risk of ongoing adversities [3] and is an important area for future research. The exposure of infants to chronic and excessive stress is believed to be “toxic” as it can adversely and permanently influence brain development [16, 51, 52].…”

“…Compared to all other age groups of children, infants are the most likely to: be investigated [1]; be substantiated for maltreatment [2]; be the recipients of ongoing child welfare services [1]; be placed out-of-home [1], and be re-reported [3]. As a result of their physical vulnerability, infants are also the most likely to suffer injury and death as a consequence of maltreatment [4, 5].…”

“…Maltreatment that begins in infancy is likely to become chronic if infant and family needs remain unaddressed and appropriate interventions are not implemented [3]. Investigations of reported child abuse and neglect present the child welfare system and its community partners with an unmatched opportunity to target interventions [14].…”

Research priorities for a multi-center child abuse pediatrics network − CAPNET

“…(Campbell, Cook, LaFleur, & Keenan, 2010; Greiner et al, 2015; Hewes, Keenan, McDonnell, Dudley, & Herman, 2011; Ludwig, 2010) Our results also recognize the need for greater effectiveness in the interdisciplinary systems involved in the support, safety and prevention of further maltreatment of this pediatrics population. (Deans et al, 2013; Putnam-Hornstein, Simon, Eastman, & Magruder, 2014)…”