Location: Missouri
Today was my kids birthday, me and his mom broke up when he was little and she’s been with his stepdad since he was 2 or 3.
Today I tapped him on the head with a roll of paper towels joking with him and he flinched, I immediately got worried and asked why he was flinching from the paper towels and if I’d actually hurt him and he told me his step dad hits him all the time
A few weeks ago there was an incident where he got grounded from one of his devices at his moms house for throwing it, but he told me the only person in the room was his step dad and the device “just suddenly flew out of his hands”
Today he told me his step dad had actually hit him, causing the device to fly out of his hands. And told him not to tell anyone about it or it would get worse.
I’m planning to call DFS first thing tomorrow, it looks like they’re closed tonight. But I don’t know what else to do and I’m not able to think through it on my own right now
Comments
For DFS, you just call the 24/7 hotline number that is Google searchable. They’re never closed.
1-800-392-3738
Missouri Child services hotline. They are 24/7.
https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm#:~:text=If%20you%20suspect%20child%20abuse,day%2C%207%20days%20a%20week.
Call the police non-emergency number and report child abuse. They will take the report and they can alert cps. You may be able to get a temporary protection order as well. After you have spoken to them, call the ex. That way the authorities have been alerted prior to their knowledge. Good luck! Stick up for your son!