This is a fictionalized account of actual events that occurred on a U.S. military installation. The names, exact dates, locations, and service-specific terminology have been changed or neutralized. To create the activities in this and subsequent lessons, we started with the facts of a real criminal investigation and lawsuit. What you will read here goes beyond the facts recorded in the criminal case by imagining details of individual’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Although much of what you will read here is fiction, the sequence of events and the tragic consequences are very real. 

Reread these scenarios in which individuals suspected Timothy was being abused. Be sure to note the additional information about what the adults in each situation did. Then answer the reflection questions and share your responses with a trainer, coach, or administrator.

At the Child Development Center

When Timothy was out for a week without notice, Beckett was concerned. He tried calling the family, but no one answered. It wasn’t too unusual for children to be out for extended periods of time, though. He figured Trevor was on leave, and they were out exploring the local country or visiting friends. When Timothy came back the next week, though, Beckett knew something wasn’t right. Timothy cried more than he ever had before. When Beckett picked him up, Timothy screamed so loud that a trainer walking down the hallway stepped in to make sure everything was okay. Beckett wasn’t sure what to do. When he laid Timothy down on the changing table to check his diaper, Timothy screamed again as soon as his shoulders touched the pad. Beckett gently lifted the baby’s shirt to investigate. That’s when he noticed the burns. He had never seen burns like that on a baby. He asked his Training & Curriculum Specialist (T&CS) to look at the burns. She was very upset by what she saw and called Trevor to ask about the injury. He said the baby had been burned by hot water in the bathtub. He said he had not taken the baby to the doctor because there didn’t seem to be any sign of infection.

Beckett and the T&CS looked again at the injuries. Beckett did not know how a baby could get burned like that in the bathtub. He could not imagine a parent accidentally putting a baby in bath water hot enough to leave those marks.

Together Beckett and the T&CS gathered the information Beckett would need to make a report of suspected child abuse to Family Advocacy Program (FAP), Child Protective Services (CPS), and law enforcement. Beckett made the calls and described the injury.

At the Pediatrician’s Office

At roughly the same time as Beckett was noticing Timothy’s burns, Candice took Timothy to his regular well-baby check-up. That was one of the few times she got out of the apartment because the office was only open while Trevor was at work. She knew Timothy had a large burn on his back, but she also believed her husband when he said it was an accident. She was treating the burn at home every night, and it was healing. She never thought the doctors might be concerned about it. She was surprised when two different pediatricians came in to look at the burn. She answered their questions each time. She assured them she was not home when the accident happened. Her husband told her Timothy got burned in the bathtub. Accidents happen.

The second doctor looked very serious when he sat down across from Candice. He said, “It’s my professional opinion that those burns are not consistent with an accidental scalding in the bath. I am worried about Timothy’s safety. I have a legal obligation to report suspected child maltreatment. I am obligated to report this injury to the Family Advocacy Program.” Candice could not believe what she was hearing. There had to be a mistake.

Reflection Questions

Think about each of the scenarios above. What should the individual do?