Iowa DHS has set routine to investigate allegations of child abuse

The Iowa Department of Human Services takes several steps to determine if a child is in danger. Decisions are based on criteria outlined by the law. This is how the Department of Human Services handles an abuse report: (excerpt)
Entire Globe Gazette article is here.

My comments:

Somehow, the following ideas need to become incorporated into DHS and law enforcement standards of action.

1. Parental neglect - allowing a child to run the neighborhood or city is endangerment in my book because the child will soon become a target for sexual predators or a victim of any one of many other types of harmful or possibly deadly incidents.

2. Marijuana Use - Marijuana is not considered a dangerous drug by DHS but again I see it as a contributing factor to neglect and endangerment. Light pot users can probably function as a parent as can light drinkers. It only makes sense that if alcohol or marijuana is being abused; the parent(s) will almost without doubt become neglectful.

Proper evaluation of parental activities when situations of danger to a child arise could save many children and allow them to grow into productive adults. The alternative is to have them follow in the footsteps of their parents when they are grown, be physically or mentally damaged or to not survive at all.

3. Police Reporters - Police are mandatory reporters and I feel that children who are living in a house where a police emergency call has been made need immediate and special attention. The police need to contact DHS immediately if they feel that the child was in danger or if the child may become endangered by the parents' actions after the police have left. This is most often NOT done and was never, to my knowledge, done in Evelyn's case!

For more child abuse information see Prevent Child Abuse Iowa which has many links to sites about child abuse.

I have opened comments for this post. Your ideas are welcomed.