Max’s parents brought the 7-year-old to his pediatrician’s office for an annual well-child exam. Max’s two brothers, Sammy, 5 years old, and Henry, 8 years old, each drew on paper given to them by the staff while they waited quietly just outside the exam room. Neither of them made eye contact with the staff member who brought them the paper. Max’s parent’s shared that Max was healthy and had no health issues. During the examination, the pediatrician observed two linear bruises on Max’s right palm and inside forearm. When the pediatrician asked Max what happened that caused the bruises, Max was silent and his father said that he used a belt to spank his buttocks, and Max had tried to block the belt with his hands. Max had no other bruises or injuries and was otherwise healthy. The pediatrician observed Max’s development as age appropriate, but his parents reported that he was performing poorly in school. would you report the case?
