Child Came Back from in Laws House with Knot and Bruise

Updated on June 04, 2014
B.N. asks from Woodbridge, VA
17 answers

My husband and I recently let our 1yr old and 2 month old stay at their in-laws because he had to take me to the hospital. We came back the next day and there was a giant knot and bruise on the brow ridge of my 2 month old.

I took her to her appointment and the doctor confirmed that it looks like someone may have ran her into something or worse I fear they physically abused her.

My husband and I are moving out of the state because this is the second incident with our children and it has finally been confirmed by the doctor.

How should I address her to know the truth about what happened to my children?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

"How should I address her to know the truth about what happened to my children?"

Well, for starters, when you picked up baby from their house and saw the bruise you say, "What happened to my baby?"

Did the dr. call the authorities?

13 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

Z.B.

answers from Toledo on

How would a doctor know someone picked her up and "ran her into something" vs. she fell off the couch and hit her head?

It really is possible.

7 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.S.

answers from Richland on

My god I am tired of the summer trolls already!

A doctor cannot confirm anything from a bruise. Second incident? Sorry no parent would send their kids back after a first incident!

Hospital overnight?

Oh and yes, moving out of state is what everyone does when they suspect the in laws are abusing their kids, oh wait, no, actually we just stop letting them babysit.

Okay and also more proof you do not have any children, ran a two month old into something? There would be a hell of a lot more damage on the baby than a knot on her brow! You can't just run one part of a two month old into anything! They are limp like rag dolls.

Okay, clearly I am reacting to the string of trolls we have had this week all in this one "question", everyone other than the OP, sorry about that.

16 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.W.

answers from Portland on

Sorry, but I just cannot even wrap my brain around your story. You would leave a tiny, utterly helpless two month old and a pre-verbal 1 yr old child with people who are abusive so you could go to the hospital?

But now they are SO dangerous that you are going to move out of state?

Keep reading those two statements over and over and see if they make any sense to you, because I'm stumped.

10 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Why didn't you just ask your inlaws about it? You felt comfortable leaving your babies there yet you can't speak to them about what happened while they were in their care?
Not sure why your husband couldn't just take you to the hospital and then go home and take care of your kids himself. If the inlaws are so bad why did you even chance it? If I had to go to the hospital I wouldn't want my husband to stay with me, I'm a grown woman, I would want him at home taking care of our babies!
Sorry, but this question just leads to many more questions. It just doesn't add up.

9 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

IF this is a real post.. You have got to be kidding..

Our daughter totally crashed her chin on a head board.
I was there, she crawled up on the bed and before I could catch her she slipped and totally bashed on the head board. She was a year old. she still has a tiny scar and dent there under her chin and she is 23 yrs old!

Imagine this, our child could walk unassisted at 6 months. She was always headed for disaster if I was not right there with her, but there were times, she crashed and burned on her own. I hated it. I just knew people thought I was slapping her around, but the doctor assured me it is not unusual for young kids to have bumps and bruises.

Heck she was strong and would fight diaper changes, so many times she was slamming her own head.

I certainly would not move because of this, instead I would maybe give it a rest having them babysit. Find someone else to watch your child.

Was your husband beat up by his parents as a child? Have other family members had something happen?

8 moms found this helpful

F.W.

answers from Danville on

Wow!

What did they say happened?

7 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Houston on

When you picked up your children and you saw the knot and bruise on the baby, WHY didn't you ask about it immediately?

Your doctor didn't confirm anything. He/She acknowledged that there was a bruise on your child. That is what the doctor acknowledged.

How do you address it? "Hey, what the hell happened to my kid"? might be a good start!!

Parenting classes would be in order for you and your husband.

5 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

Address "her" who? The child?
Did you ask them what happened. The doctor can't tell you just looking.

5 moms found this helpful

E.J.

answers from Chicago on

First of all if this injury were true, a doctor would have NEVER return the 2 month old to your care.

Second, you would not be asking mamapedia how to solve this dilemma because you, hubby, and in laws would be so busy talking to Child Protective Services to try to get BOTH of your children back.

Sorry but none of this story makes sense.

Edit: Any physician worth his/her weight in salt is going to take custody of, not just report, an unexplained "knot" on an infants head several hours or days after it has occurred.

Please update because this sounds like either a troll or somebody building their defense.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Dallas on

I assume they abused your husband for you to suspect this kind of behavior. If they did, then why would you let them see your child alone? You give no reasons as to why you suspect them of abusing your child.

A doctor cannot confirm that "someone may have ran her into something" - you should know that - plus that just sounds silly that a doctor would say that.

It is not unusual for a 2 month old to have a bruise on their brow b/c they fall a lot and if they are not familiar with their surroundings it is even more likely they will fall or run into something.

If you accuse them and nothing has happened, you will damage your relationship with them. But by reading between the lines, b/c you gave us so little information, it also looks like you may be looking for an excuse to move away.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Post again and let us know how that visit with Child Protective Services goes for you....

CPS would be right to question you about why you allowed your children to stay with the in-laws if there had been a previous suspicious incident. If there was a true emergency, yes, I can see the emergency of the moment overriding your good sense, meaning the kids ended up with the in-laws whom you don't trust because you had to get to the hospital that instant. I get that.

But I don't see from the post how anything has been "confirmed by the doctor" here. What exactly did the doctor confirm? That there was a bruise of unexplained origin? If it had been severe enough you would not have left the office with your baby, or would have seen CPS coming up your driveway before you had time to post here.

What is going on? Why are you asking how to address your MIL about what happened, when any parent I can think of would have asked the instant she saw her own child's bruise? Or did the bruise not appear until a while after you got your children back? If so why didn't you contact the in-laws immediately to ask what happened? And where is your husband in all this? They're his parents--he should be the one all over them for answers.

I hope you can understand why so many people posting here are suspicious about your post based just on what you have written. If there is more that we need to know, please tell us so we can give replies that actually help.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.P.

answers from Tampa on

Did you ask your in-laws what happened before you took the 2 month old to the doctor? That's where I would have started. I would have asked, "What happened to so and so? He has a big bruise on his brow?" It could have been an accident like the baby banged into something. I'm curious as to why your in-laws didn't mention it.

I just don't understand why you didn't confront them about it instead of jumping to conclusions. Do you have reason to distrust them?

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Denver on

You say "Hey when I picked up Baby I noticed he had a knot and a bruise did he fall down?" that is what you say and let her answer.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.P.

answers from Tampa on

Did you ask your in-laws what happened before you took the 2 month old to the doctor? That's where I would have started. I would have asked, "What happened to so and so? He has a big bruise on his brow?" It could have been an accident like the baby banged into something. I'm curious as to why your in-laws didn't mention it.

I just don't understand why you didn't confront them about it instead of jumping to conclusions. Do you have reason to distrust them?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

After the first incident, why did you let them stay with them? That was a huge lapse in judgement on your part. I would probably get the police involved and at the very least tell them that they will never have another chance to hurt your children. You really have to report it-what if they take you to court for visitation? What if some lame brain judge grants them overnight visits?? Then what are you going to do? Good luck.

D.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, B.:

Yes, of course, you need to address the wounds.
One of the things that concern me too is the fact the care-takers
did not mention anything to you about the bruise or knot.

Question them both at the same time.
I noticed there was a bruise and a knot on my 2 month
old's head.

What happened?
What did you think when your realized what had happened?
What impact has this incident had on you and others?
What has been the hardest thing for you?
What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

I would use this approach and
then tell them what you need.
I am saddened to hear about this trouble for you and your family.
God be with you.
D.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions