Walk It Through: The Report
Everyone reports immediately, a professional within 24 hours, and no one else can do it for them.
A soccer coach who is a neighbor, not an employee, sees bruises on a child and hears how they happened.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
Three people with reasonable cause. What counts as abuse or neglect, the immunity a good faith report carries, and the confidentiality of the reporter are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Report of abuse or neglectThe report a person makes immediately on reasonable cause to believe a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect. A professional with direct contact with children reports not later than the 24th hour.
- State jail felonyThe felony level below third degree: 180 days to two years in a state jail, and a fine of up to $10,000.