Physical Abuse Child Welfare

Physical Abuse

Catherine Mathis is thirty years old and has a mental illness in which she sometimes loses control. This is the reason she stated why she beat her two oldest daughters. Catherine has four children, two sons, and two daughters. The two daughters had severe marks on their backs and buttocks, from being beaten with a belt, by Catherine.

She may have signed divorce papers, but she is not sure. She doesn't have contact with her siblings but, her mother moved closer to them to help out with the family. Her mother thought that Catherine was doing better, so she planned a year long mission trip to India. The father of the three youngest children is Mr. Mathis, and he lives only two blocks away.

Catherine receives no support for her and her children, Mr. Mathis is not paying child support, and Denise's father is not paying child support either. Catherine takes in $15,000/ year, this is a very small amount of money for a family of five. The house that they rent is a two bedroom and the house has some construction needs. This is very small for a family of five, and they need more space. The family takes pride in a clean house and keeps up on the housework. Mr. Mathis has a job in sanitation, and brings in $35,000/ year, according to Catherine. He was a very supporting father before he left, and Catherine believes that he had a mental breakdown that caused him to leave. She believes that this breakdown was caused by the stress of holding the weight of the family together.

Devin is the second oldest child and she was left with severe marks from the beating, some which are on her buttocks and make it difficult to sit. She does well in her Special Ed. Classes, but doesn't have any friends. She told the SW that she does not want to be removed from the home, and she has also taken on the responsibility of taking care of her mother.

The oldest boy, Marcus, has Down syndrome and is age eight. Marcus is seen as high functioning and attends Special Ed. Classes at a public school. Marcus sees Denise as his mother and appears to have not suffered any beatings.

The youngest boy, Benjamin, is in public school and appears to be very bright. He is age six and also appears to be healthy. He, like Marcus, sees Denise as his mother. His father left when he was only two years old, and Benjamin doesn't know a whole lot about his father.

As the social worker in this case, I would try to find out exactly what the facts were. Catherine has a mental illness and this may be clouding the truth from her, or making her see a false perception of the incidents and issues at hand. Catherine said that Mr. Mathis left them, although she has stated this I think it would be important to talk to Mr. Mathis about the situation, and see if he wants any contact with the children. It would also be important to find out if they did have a divorce, or