[tom33411]

I have a daughter who is 7 years old and lives with my ex wife in GA and I live in FL. Over the past 6 months my daughter has developed a vaginal E Coli infection 3 times. It has been treated twice and recently come back. Is it possible that she has been sexually abused? Her mother refuses to take her to the doctor again. The doctors have said before that there is 2 main causes to this type of E Coli infection. One is bad hygiene which my daughter says good hygiene is not taught at home. And another is from sexual contact. How do I found out if she has been sexually abused? Can the mother be brought up on neglect?

[fostermommy]

As her father, I believe that you have a right to phone the doctor and raise concern. There are tests that can be done to evaluate this further. If mom refuses to have her treated or evaluated medically, then I believe that you have reason to call child protective services to make sure she is being evaluated and followed medically. The hygiene issue is as simple as this - wipe front to back, not back to front. Not a whole lot of teaching needs to be done there. Is she wearing soiled underwear? Does she spend any considerable time visiting you? Do these recurrences happen only in mother's care, or in your care as well? I'd call the doctor, raise your concerns there, and see what he/she says.

[mcmama]

Yes I would call the doctor and express concern. And if necessary, I would file a motion in court to have the child examined and properly treated. Whatever the cause, these infections are serious.

Yes, she needs to be taught to wipe front to back.