What you should do if you suspect child abuse, neglect

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)- When a 15-year-old with a mental disability was left alone for two weeks in a Shreveport motel, her parents were placed under arrest for neglect.

Shreveport police described the motel room at the Royal Inn on North Market as filthy and smelling of feces and urine. The girl told police she had not bathed in two weeks. However, she was able to find some food. They also said she was not enrolled in school.

According to the Gingerbread House, whoever called the police did the right thing. Executive Director Jessica Milan Miller said, “We like to tell people just to be on the safe side and make sure all our bases are covered. We make two reports, one to law enforcement and one the child protective services in Louisiana, that number is 1-855-4LA-KIDS.”

Jordan Webster with Gingerbread House says neglect can be defined as leaving a child for many hours over what is appropriate for the age, not providing proper food and water, or not maintaining standards in the home.

If you suspect neglect or abuse but are unsure, you should call and report it. Children can not advocate for themselves; adults must step up.

Jessica Milan Miller said, “Anytime that you are making a report in good faith, being a voice for a child that you are concerned about, you are protected under the law because you are acting in good faith. Our job is to leave that role to the experts and to make that phone call for that child.”