Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

How To Explain A Parent's Arrest To A Child

These four pocket-sized cards are wonderful tools to remind law enforcement staff about the impacts on a child whose parents are being arrested or incarcerated. Sections of each card explain: child's perception of arrest; what to say; how children might act and how you should respond; and when arrest is a raid or domestic violence (DV) response. There is one card each for: Toddler-Ages 1 to 4; Preschool-Ages 4 to 5; School Age-Ages 6 to 12; and Adolescence-Ages 13 to 18.