Are you worried about a child you know? Who to call in KS, MO if you suspect abuse
If you are concerned about the well-being or safety of a child, it is important to take the time to report those concerns to the appropriate agency.
About one in seven children experience child abuse in the United States every year. In 2021, there were more than 3,473 substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect, according to Missouri’s Children’s Division. In Kansas, 1,151 of the assigned cases were substantiated, meaning the state found that there was neglect or abuse involved.
In both Missouri and Kansas, some people are considered mandatory reporters. This includes health care professionals, day care workers, law enforcement officers, teachers and more. However, anyone who is concerned can report to state or local child advocacy centers that work to protect young people from abuse and neglect.
If you want to learn more about when to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect or learn about what happens to a report once it’s filed, Seitz of Missouri Kids First suggests taking the state’s mandated reporter training. People can learn more about how to spot abuse, how to tell the difference between neglect and poverty and what to expect when reporting abuse. Kansas also has a mandated reporter training video that can be found here.
“If something does not look safe, we say, trust your gut and report,” said Jessica Seitz, Executive Director of Missouri KidsFirst, a child advocacy center dedicated to child abuse prevention.
So what is considered child abuse?
In both Missouri and Kansas, child abuse is considered any physical injury, sexual or emotional abuse inflicted on a child, regardless of it was accidental or intentional.
Neglect is also considered abuse in both states. Missouri law defines neglect as a failure of those responsible for a child’s care or custody to provide the necessary support for a child’s well-being.
In Kansas, neglect is similarly defined as when a parent or guardian omits responsibility for a child and those omissions are not entirely because the guardian lacks the financial resources to provide for the child.
This kind of neglect could be not providing the child food, clothing, shelter or any other life sustaining resources, like medicine or medical attention, according to the Kansas Department of Children and Families.
Who to call?
Missouri’s Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline is run by the Missouri Department of Social Services and can be reached at 1-800-392-3738. For more information on how and when to report, you can also visit the department’s website. If you suspect child abuse in Kansas, call the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330 or by visiting DCF’s website.
When reporting a concern, there is some information that you need to have on hand, according to Missouri Kids First. That information includes the name of the child, the name of the parents or guardians, the name of any alleged abusers and where the child can be found.
After the reporter has given all the information they have on the situation, the report will be forwarded to the county where the child resides. Then, the report will be categorized based on the kind of abuse or neglect it is. For example, educational neglect versus sexual abuse, according to Missouri Kids First.
There may be some follow-up questions after the initial report as well, including whether or not the situation is life-threatening, how you know about the abuse, if you witnessed any abuse or neglect yourself and whether or not there were other witnesses that can be contacted.
In Kansas, the report will go to the Kansas Protection Report Center. The reporter will be asked similar questions such as the child’s name, location, whether they are injured and how badly, and whether the abuser has access to the child or not.
Both states encourage people to include their information but the reporter can remain anonymous. If someone believes a child is in immediate danger, make sure to call 911.
Other Resources in Missouri and Kansas
Child Safe House is a child advocacy center and nonprofit in central Missouri. Child Safe House serves Benton, Carroll, Chariton, Henry, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Moniteau, Morgan, Pettis and Saline. If you are concerned about a child’s safety you can email them at
Courage to Report Missouri manages a hotline for those who suspect a child is in danger at school. That line can be reached at 866-748-7047 or you can report online here.
In Kansas, you can also reach out to the Family Crisis Response Hotline at 1-833-441-2240.
National Resources:
If you believe a child was kidnapped or is at risk or is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
