Pennsylvania's ChildLine system theoretically exists to protect children who have been the victims of child abuse. Unfortunately, erroneous ChildLine referrals sometimes result in unsuspecting individuals having their names added to Pennsylvania's ChildLine registry.
The consequences of a ChildLine listing can be very serious. Someone who is deemed a child abuser in the ChildLine system will usually have difficulty securing certain types of employment. If they currently have custody or visitation rights, being added to the ChildLine system can affect those rights.
A ChildLine referral can also result in social stigma. Even if a ChildLine investigation doesn't yield evidence of abuse, the investigation itself can paint someone as an abuser in the eyes of others.
These are all reasons to take ChildLine referrals very seriously. At the LLF Law Firm, knowledgeable members of our Criminal Defense Team are on hand to offer an aggressive defense. Get started today by calling us at 888.535.3686 or submitting a confidential online consultation form.
What Is Pennsylvania's ChildLine System?
ChildLine is a toll-free hotline in Pennsylvania through which anyone can anonymously report suspected child abuse. Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services offers ChildLine as a means for people throughout the state to report suspected child abuse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 1-800-932-0313.
What Is a ChildLine Referral?
Within 24 hours of a report, ChildLine will refer the issue to the appropriate department of the relevant county. Different counties have different processes for handling ChildLine referrals. For suspected abuse in Bradford County, ChildLine will refer the matter to Bradford County's Children and Youth Services department.
Although the specifics of the process vary somewhat, it usually involves the following:
- Authorities within the relevant department will make an initial assessment of the validity of a report. In some instances, the behavior that causes someone to make a ChildLine report or referral doesn't qualify as abuse.
- The county will begin an investigation if a report appears valid. The county has 60 days to complete its investigation. Investigators may look into the matter by interviewing any party who could offer useful information or insights. Along with the accused, this could include their family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc.
- ChildLine report investigators may contact law enforcement to assist with an investigation. Although this doesn't always occur, it's not uncommon for ChildLine investigations to involve both the police and social services authorities.
- Investigators may contact the relevant state licensing board if the accused is a licensed professional in Pennsylvania. Depending on the nature of their work and the accusations against them, it might be necessary to revoke or suspend the accused's professional license until an investigation concludes.
A ChildLine referral against you can jeopardize everything from your career to your personal relationships. In these circumstances, it's essential to protect your rights. The team at the LLF Law Firm can provide the defense you need now.
ChildLine Referrals in Bradford County
Bradford County's Children and Youth Services department handles ChildLine reports. The department urges citizens to file reports when they suspect any of the following may be occurring:
- Child physical abuse
- Child emotional abuse
- Child sexual abuse
Concerned citizens should also file reports when they believe a child is at "imminent risk of harm," perhaps due to neglect. Child neglect can take such forms as:
- General lack of parental care or supervision
- Lack of nutrition or subsistence
- Lack of legally-required education
- Habitual truancy
- Child abandonment
- Habitual disobedience
- Denial of medical care
Sometimes, people mistakenly suspect abuse is occurring. Although you may never expect to be the target of a ChildLine referral, it could happen. The LLF Law Firm can help if it ever does.
Who Can Make a ChildLine Report in Bradford County?
Anyone can anonymously report child abuse through the ChildLine system. Ideally, anonymous reporting allows people to more comfortably report suspected abuse, potentially helping children escape dangerous situations.
However, it's worth noting that anonymous reporting also makes it easier for people to file false reports. For example, someone who has a grudge against an ex may use ChildLine to anonymously report abuse despite not actually believing it's occurring. Because they don't have to provide their identity, someone making a ChildLine report might not worry about facing legal consequences for false reporting.
The law permits anyone to make a report. It also requires certain individuals to report suspected child abuse.
ChildLined Reports in Bradford County: Mandated Reporters
Pennsylvania laws establish the types of people who must report child abuse to ChildLine or another relevant agency/system when they believe it may be occurring. They are:
- Anyone with a license or certification to practice in a health-related field under the Department of State's jurisdiction
- Medical examiners, coroners, and funeral directors
- A healthcare facility employee or healthcare provider licensed by the Department of Health whose work may involve admitting, examining, and/or treating patients
- School employees
- Childcare workers whose work involves direct contact with children
- Spiritual leaders "of any regularly established church or other religious organization"
- Anyone participating in a "regularly scheduled program, activity, or service" that involves having responsibility for the welfare of children, regardless of whether they receive payment for this work
- A social services agency employee whose work involves direct contact with children
- A public library employee whose work involves direct contact with children
- A Department of Health-certified emergency medical services provider
- Independent contractors
- Anyone whose manager or supervisor qualifies as one of the above if their work involves direct contact with children
- An attorney affiliated with any organization or institution (such as a school or religious organization) responsible for the care or guidance of children
- Foster parents
- Adult family members who are responsible for a child's welfare
Mandated reporters (MRs) don't need to be certain abuse is occurring to file ChildLine reports. They don't even have to know who may be responsible for suspected abuse. An MR should file a report if they have "reasonable cause" to believe a child is a victim of abuse, neglect, or similar mistreatment.
There's no universal standard for what qualifies as reasonable cause. Generally, an MR may have reasonable cause to file a report if another individual with similar training or experience would also conclude that abuse is happening. An MR doesn't necessarily have reasonable cause to make a report simply because they have a "gut feeling" that a child is being abused or neglected.
MRs can make ChildLine reports electronically instead of calling the toll-free number. Unlike others, MRs must provide their names and contact information when making reports.
Pennsylvania will keep an MR's identity confidential. The state will also typically shield an MR from legal liability unless an MR knowingly files a false report with malicious intent.
In other words, if an MR mistakenly makes a report because they genuinely believe abuse is happening, they typically won't face legal liability. They may face consequences if evidence shows they intentionally made a false report to harm the accused in some manner.
False reports — both intentional and unintentional — do happen. If you're the target of a ChildLine referral in Bradford County, PA, experienced attorneys at the LLF Law Firm can help you mount a proper defense.
What Happens if a ChildLine Referral Results in a Finding of Child Abuse?
Upon concluding their investigation, Bradford County authorities will determine whether a referral is:
- Unfounded
- Indicated
- Founded
When investigators conclude a report is unfounded, that means their investigation didn't turn up significant evidence of abuse. If a report is indicated, it means there is enough evidence of abuse to require adding the accused's name to the ChildLine registry.
A report is founded when some form of judicial adjudication indicates abuse has occurred. For example, a report may be deemed founded if a jury finds the accused guilty of a child abuse crime at trial. A founded referral will result in the accused's name being added to the ChildLine registry.
The consequences of being listed on Pennsylvania's Childline registry can be wide-ranging. Potential examples include:
- Loss of a professional license
- Ineligibility to receive certain professional licenses and certifications
- Loss of employment and volunteer opportunities
- Loss of custody and/or visitation rights
- Strained personal relationships, if others learn your name is on the ChildLine registry
It's also worth noting that while a ChildLine investigation isn't technically a criminal investigation, a criminal investigation may occur during or after a ChildLine investigation. You may thus face criminal charges and penalties as well.
None of this is meant to frighten you. It's meant to emphasize the seriousness of a ChildLine referral. The LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team can offer peace of mind by reviewing your case and developing a defense tailored to the specifics of your circumstances.
What Are Your Rights if Someone Has Referred You to ChildLine?
You have certain rights if someone has used the ChildLine system to accuse you of abuse. They include the right to:
- Receive official notification of the report
- Hire an attorney
- Appeal the decision of ChildLine investigators to potentially expunge a listing on the ChildLine registry
The state must notify you of the following upon the conclusion of a ChildLine investigation:
- The conclusions of the investigators
- The status of the report
- Your rights to amend or expunge a report if you can show why your name should not remain on the ChildLine registry
- The manner in which the report may affect your current and future employment opportunities
- What types of information from your report (such as a description of the alleged abuse, your name, whether the report was founded/unfounded, etc.) will be added to the ChildLine registry
- Your right to file an appeal within 90 days of the investigation's conclusion
- Your right to a hearing if you appeal your case
During a hearing, the county will have to describe its case against you. The burden of proof is on the county. Bradford County authorities will have to provide substantial evidence to show why they arrived at a particular conclusion in your case.
The wisest course of action is to hire a knowledgeable attorney immediately upon learning of a ChildLine referral against you. However, if you haven't hired a lawyer yet, you can enlist one's help at any stage of the process. For example, if Bradford County has already completed its investigation, you could hire an attorney for your appeal.
What's most important is to not ignore these matters. Having your name on the ChildLine registry can profoundly impact your life for years to come. At the LLF Law Firm, our Criminal Defense Team is available to help you navigate what may otherwise be a very stressful experience.
How the LLF Law Firm Can Help You if You've Been Referred to ChildLine in Bradford County
You need professional legal representation if you've been the target of a ChildLine referral in Bradford County, PA. The following are just some of the benefits of hiring an attorney to defend you when someone has accused you of child abuse:
- Understanding your rights: Although you should be informed of your rights when someone makes a ChildLine report against you, it's important to have someone on your side who can explain your rights thoroughly.
- Avoiding harmful statements: You may think you can explain yourself to investigators when someone files a ChildLine report against you. However, anything you say could actually harm your case. Guard against this by hiring a child abuse criminal defense lawyer for Bradford County who can speak on your behalf during an investigation.
- Minimizing the emotional toll: A ChildLine referral and investigation can be an extremely challenging experience. Participating in interviews and attempting to address the matter with loved ones, friends, and colleagues is often difficult. Your emotional struggles may be even greater if you have to worry about the potential outcome of an investigation. On the other hand, you may feel more confident about your case when a lawyer is actively defending you.
Acting fast is essential in these circumstances. At The LLF Law Firm, our Criminal Defense Team leverages years of experience and a thorough understanding of the law to offer clients like yourself a strong defense. Learn more about what we can do for you by calling us today at 888.535.3686 or contacting us online through the confidential online consultation form.
