LCCS receives more than 5,600 reports of child abuse annually, involving approximately 7,800 children.
Child abuse and neglect occurs in all kinds of families. It is often the result of parents or other caregivers dealing with stress, substance abuse, domestic violence, or some kind of crisis. It can also occur in a moment of anger.
LCCS receives more than 5,600 reports of child abuse annually, involving approximately 7,800 children.
Child abuse and neglect occurs in all kinds of families. It is often the result of parents or other caregivers dealing with stress, substance abuse, domestic violence, or some kind of crisis. It can also occur in a moment of anger.
If you are concerned that a child is abused or neglected:
- Call us at 419-213-2273 (CARE) to speak with a caseworker. Phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- You may remain anonymous, but it is helpful for us to know your identity in case we need to follow up with you. LCCS will NEVER reveal your identity.
- If you are concerned about a child who does not live in Lucas County and need to make a report, please call 1.800.4ACHILD.
- If you are seeing a child in IMMEDIATE NEED of help, please call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency.
- Please do not email or use social media to report suspected abuse or neglect.
When you call to make a referral, you will speak with a social worker who will ask you a series of questions about your concerns. You may not have the answers to some of the questions. That’s okay. Answer as many as you can, as completely as you can, so we can decide the best way to respond to your concerns.
When We Can Help…and When We Can’t
Many people wonder if calling Lucas County Children Services is the right thing to do. You might be looking for resources to help your family through a difficult time. However, LCCS responds to family problems only when they create unsafe conditions that lead to potential child abuse or neglect.
Some examples that have the potential to lead to abuse or neglect:
- Drug abuse in the presence of children
- Domestic violence in the presence of children
- Loaded or unsecured weapons that are accessible to children
LCCS will screen in, or accept notification, that a family does not have utilities and has no access to alternative provisions, when the situation poses a safety threat to children (e.g., lack of electricity for an infant who requires an apnea monitor; no access to water; no heat source in the winter). LCCS will screen out notifications about families that lack utilities but do have access to alternative provisions, thus eliminating the safety threat (e.g., no water in the home but the parent brings water into the home or utilizes neighbor’s/relative’s facilities). Calls not posing a risk to children will be referred to community resources such as United Way 2-1-1, shelters, food banks and local churches.
Do The Right Thing!
Children count on adults to make their world safe and secure. You are doing the right thing by getting involved and telling us a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. Remember…if you don’t report, the abuse could continue.
Juvenile delinquency should be reported to local law enforcement or the Juvenile Court.
