Toddler returned from contact with unexplained burn

[Newmum1998]

Toddler has returned from court ordered contact with other parent with large burn. There has clearly been a blister that has burst. The reason I was given for the burn makes no sense. I took my child to the doctor and they agreed the reason given for the burn didn’t match up with the injury. The other parent also did not seek any medical attention and burn has been left untreated for days while child was in their care. Brief backstory there has been safeguarding concerns with other parent in past due to domestic abuse and mental health issues. Contact used to be supervised in contact centre and is now unsupervised. I have contacted solicitor for advice but not heard anything back. My family are saying I should call the police.. am I being unreasonable to not want to leave child with other parent alone until this is dealt with?

YANBU to not want child in their care whilst this is being looked into.
Your poor child did the doctor have any concerns that this could be non accidental injury? Just with the history of domestic violence and story not consistent with injury then surely that is a red flag?
interested in others’ thoughts re calling police. I would think at a minimum this needs discussion with social services.

Do you have a social worker?

If a medical professional is willing to go on record with their opinion I would be calling anyone who can take action but especially whoever can stop unsupervised contact the quickest. Who would that be? Perhaps SS?

I'd also report to police given the history

No you are not being unreasonable at all. Please bear in mind doctor might have a legal duty to inform social services, this shouldn’t pose any problems for you, but a heads up it may happen.
i don’t know if you can contact the court to inform them of what has happened and that you wish to stop contact until this is resolved, or that supervised contact is preferred in the mean time

How does toddler seem in themselves?

Referral to social care?

I know someone who was in this situation with the child of a similar age. They had photos of a burn and unexplained bruises. The courts didn’t care and he just had to write in a book “no injuries” or an explanation of any on return. I hope you get a better outcome and yes flag with the police.

This needs a child protection investigation involving healthcare, social work and the police. I am gobsmacked the doctor did not initiate this.

Please get in touch with police and social work and absolutely do not allow unsupervised contact with the other parent.

I’m surprised as well. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if I have a knock on my door from police/social work tonight due to it …

Skip the police contact Social Services for advice
Sadly they have all the info contacts and procedures to deal with this

if it does go to the police via SS it will go straight to the appropriate people

the doctor may of already safe guarded it anyway

This is a child protection issue - I think I'd be contacting the non emergency police to record it as well as social services.

If they've given a dodgy reason for the burn that doesn't tie with the injury then it absolutely needs reporting and I certainly wouldn't be letting them have any further contact until you know EXACTLY what happened, and then it would be supervised visits only.

Take lots of photos. For The Record with date etc.. Report to police and ss..

Make sure you take photos and write a factual account of what you were told including date, what you were told, what actions they took (none), date of drs appt and what dr said too.

I would report this to SS and even the non-emergency police number.

I really hope you and your toddler are okay 🩷 burns are horrible xx

Stop contact. If contact is due soon send a simple message stating 'due to safety concerns contact has now been stopped until I have sough legal advice.'
Take photos.
Screenshot any communication with other parent, if any.
If you can get the doctor to write what he said on your child's record I would get it done.
Write everything down in as much detail, factual with no emotions immediately.
Anything your child might say I would record.
I would call Social Services.
I'm so sorry this happened to your little one, hope they are feeling better soon and I'm sure you feel so much better they are with you.

Call the police and make a report … absolutely refuse to have the child with this person unless it is supervised . Something is defo wrong and go by ur gut be absolutely fierce here .

Update

I’m trying to keep as anonymous as possible so not to out myself but I did report. Various agencies got involved, all very concerned. Child was examined and it was determined the cause of injury did NOT match up with the injury. Child’s other parent went ballistic to say the least. Safety plan was put in place and no contact advised. However other parent had now come out with different story , that makes slightly more sense but not fully. Also doesn’t explain them not taking child to be seen at hospital when burn happened and why they lied about it as reason they’ve now come up with is perfectly innocent. I was annoyed by the social workers response as she just seemed to believe what other parent said and just kind of take it at face value. The new info has been referred to doctors who examined child initially and they will determine if that is likely to have been the cause of injury or not. I’ve been told if they are happy with explanation I’ve to resume contact as usual. Safe to say I’m not impressed…other parents actions have been terrible and can’t believe they will maybe get off Scott free. I’ve not had a genuine apology and wouldn’t exactly say they’ve taken accountability as they’ve only just told another version of events now and they’ve been given a number of opportunities to explain what has happened before then.

Also to add they weren’t even complying with child investigation initially, just given everyone verbal abuse. Can’t believe they can go away and come up with a different story and all could just be forgotten.

This isn’t surprising. Honestly parents get to keep their children under what most of us would consider horrific conditions.

How did they get the burn and why do you think he wasn’t honest from the off if it was a complete accident?

My dear well done for reporting this … you absolutely did the right thing . If you are not happy with the outcome you make as much noise as you can . You have raised a red flag and you’re not going to lower it. If you’re not happy with the social worker .. demand to deal with their manager … if you’re not happy … demand to deal with their director .. don’t be afraid or intimated here it’s all about safety … your a really good mum who has your child’s back . Well done