Reporting Child Abuse
SDCL § 26-8A-3 — teachers, doctors, coaches, officers and others must report, orally and immediately
Doctors, nurses, teachers, school officials, coaches, counselors, social workers, law enforcement officers and others listed, with reasonable cause to suspect a child under the age of eighteen has been abused or neglected, report it. Intentionally failing to is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Orally and immediately. The report is made orally and immediately to the state's attorney, the Department of Social Services, or law enforcement. A reporter who asks gets a written response within thirty days saying whether it will be investigated.
Anyone else who suspects abuse may report it the same way.
A particular situation is a question for a licensed South Dakota attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- SDCL § 26-8A-3 — Persons required to report child abuse or neglected child; Intentional failure; Penalty
- SDCL § 26-8A-8 — Oral report of abuse or neglect; To whom made; Response report
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney.