Nearly half of all child deaths from abuse and neglect happen before a baby’s first birthday — and infants who are abused can’t tell anyone what happened to them. That’s why it’s so important for adults around them to recognize the warning signs. (Source: National Children’s Alliance)
Last year, Rep. West sponsored a bill to help parents learn to recognize possible signs of abuse. That mandate is now in effect: this month, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published the resource that makes it real. Safe Passage supports this educational work and believes it’s important.
Under Minnesota Statute 144.124, primary care providers are now required to give parents and caregivers clear, plain-language information at their baby’s first well-child visit on how to recognize signs of physical abuse and how to report it.
The new resource includes:
- A plain-language guide to warning signs, including unexplained bruising, facial or mouth injuries, and signs of abusive head trauma (also known as Shaken Baby Syndrome)
- TEN-4-FACESp, a screening tool clinicians already use to assess these injuries
- Clear instructions on how to report a concern
These signs don’t prove abuse has occurred — but they are a signal that a child needs medical attention. If there’s any life-threatening concern, parents should go to the Emergency Department. Otherwise, they should take the child to their primary care clinic for further evaluation. Recognition may save a baby’s life.