Calling Child Protective Services (CPS) is a serious action that should be taken when you have a reasonable concern that a child may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or is otherwise in danger. The decision to report can feel heavy, especially when you know the family involved. But the well-being and safety of the child must come first. CPS exists to investigate these concerns, protect children, and offer support to families in crisis.
You should call CPS when a child is at risk due to physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. This includes situations where a child is frequently left alone without supervision, shows signs of malnourishment or poor hygiene, or is living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions. If you observe bruises, injuries that don’t match the explanation given, extreme fearfulness, or unusual withdrawal, these are warning signs worth taking seriously.
Neglect can also include failure to provide necessary medical care, clean clothing, or a safe place to live. If a child is being exposed to chronic domestic violence, dangerous drug use in the home, or verbal threats that create a toxic or traumatic environment, those situations also may justify a report.
A common misconception is that you need to be absolutely certain before you make a call. This is not true. You are not required to have proof. You simply need to have reasonable suspicion based on what you’ve seen, heard, or know. CPS professionals are trained to investigate and determine the facts. Your role is to speak up when something seems wrong—not to solve or confirm it yourself.
It’s also important to act promptly. If the child is in immediate danger, call emergency services. If the situation is less urgent but still concerning, contacting CPS allows trained staff to assess the risk and offer help if needed. In some cases, CPS intervention leads not to removal, but to support services that help families improve their situation.
You may feel conflicted, especially if the parent is someone you know or generally seems like a good person. But even well-meaning people can fall into harmful patterns, especially under stress, addiction, or mental illness. Making a report is not an accusation—it is a way to ensure the child has a chance at safety and stability.
In short, you should call CPS when a child’s safety, health, or development is threatened by abuse or neglect. When in doubt, it is better to report than to remain silent. Children often cannot advocate for themselves. Sometimes, the only protection they have is the voice of someone who cared enough to make the call.
