Getting help to prevent child abuse

Posted: Apr 26, 2011 8:33 PM by Jeannette Hynes
Updated: Apr 27, 2011 10:54 AM

So far in 2011, a babysitter, a mother, and a father are all accused of killing a child younger than a year old in Colorado Springs.

"A child under the age of one requires 24/7 care. And I think that's frustrating, and if you don't have coping skills and you don't have support, parents are reaction in a second that's resulting in a lifetime consequence for that child," explains Tammi Pitzen, with the nonprofit group Safe Passage.

Pitzen says child abuse happens every day in Southern Colorado, but she says she is seeing cases go to the extreme. Pitzen adds parents need to recognize when they are no longer in control and their anger is controlling them.

"It's safer to take a time out than to react to whatever the situation is," advises Pitzen.

In the latest infant death, officers investigated the case for 10 days before arresting the father, on top of any other abuse cases that have come forward.

"They do have their hands full. They have a lot of work, but we do have a unit dedicated to do that," says Sgt. Steve Noblitt, spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department.

If you need help:

KPC Kids Place is a nonprofit child care service in Colorado Springs for families in crisis. The people there are on call 24 hours a day, and can be there in a moment's notice for those times when parents need a break. KPC Kids Place is at 2503 Holiday Lane and the crisis number is (719) 634-5439.

If you suspect or need to report a child abuse case in El Paso County, call (719) 444-5700. In Pueblo County, call (719) 583-6326 or (719) 583-6699.