After his parents' beatings caused the death of a 5-year-old boy in Olivet, the Orléans district attorney reiterates the importance of warning in the event of suspicion of child abuse. She also provides information on the National Child Abuse Hotline.
This is terrible news that darkens the news. A 5-year-old boy died of serious and regular violence in Olivet on Friday, January 22. The child had been in hospital since January 16 after a neighbor found him unconscious. The multiple injuries he suffers from were caused by his mother and stepfather, who are now in custody and will soon be tried.
The prosecutor of the Republic of Orleans, Emmanuelle Bochenek-Puren, then recalls that it is possible to act if one witnesses or suspects child abuse.
What does a denunciation consist of?
“Everyone can take action if they witness serious abuse or if they have real concerns for the health or safety of a child ", says the prosecutor. “Denouncing the fact that a child may be in danger, may be the victim of abuse, is not denouncing under the law. On the contrary, the framework of the law makes it an offense not to report ill-treatment of a minor, or to provide assistance that would be in danger.”. Helping a person in danger is a duty.
For these types of concerns, it is better to be too careful. The Orléans prosecutor's office has already denounced 80 reports of child abuse since the beginning of January. We are on the 27th. Almost 3 reports per day, and this for one city. We can never remember it enough: to prevent is to act.
The national issue of child abuse
The 119 is the national toll-free child abuse hotline. It is available 24 hours a day, and saves the lives of children and minors every year. During the first confinement, 14,500 calls were recorded from April 13 to 19.
Nothing ever justifies the beatings, let alone a child.