A Pennsylvania mother has been charged with child abuse of her two children after the Pennsylvania State Police responded to a ChildLine report. The specific charges that the mother was charged with include aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, strangulation, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment. The elementary school children, ages 8 and 5, came to school with significant visible injuries, leading the school to call ChildLine. If you need help with an abuse allegation, the LLF Law Firm can help. Call 888.535.3686 or contact us online today.

What Is ChildLine?

ChildLine is Pennsylvania's child abuse hotline and centralized statewide database. ChildLine is accessible 27/4 by phone or by online submission. The hotline serves to "accept child abuse referrals and general child wellbeing concerns and transmit the information quickly to the appropriate investigating agency."

When a ChildLine report is made against you for suspected child abuse or neglect, you may be placed on the ChildLine Abuse Registry. This can occur even before an investigation has been completed and, more concerning, before a court of law has determined you are guilty of the allegations against you.

Mandatory ChildLine Reporting

ChildLine reports are made by two types of reporters: permissive reporters and mandatory reporters. Permissive reporters can be anyone, and they can make their reports anonymously. This type of reporter is not required under any law to report suspected child abuse or neglect; their report is completely voluntary.

Mandatory reporters are those required by Pennsylvania Law to report suspected child abuse or neglect to ChildLine or directly to law enforcement. Mandatory reporters do not need to definitively know that a child is being abused or who is potentially responsible for the abuse. The standard for reporting to ChildLine is the mandatory reporter must have a reasonable cause to believe a child is the victim of abuse or neglect.

A definition and examples of mandatory reporters are detailed in Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law. Mandated reporters are people who engage with children in their profession, employment, or occupation or those who are supervisors of those people engaging with children.

There are many professions and even volunteer positions that fall under the mandatory reporter category. Mandatory reporters include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Teachers and other school employees
• Doctors and medical professionals
• Social workers, therapists, or counselors
• Foster parents
• Public library staff
• Law enforcement
• Government agencies
• Clergymen (priests, rabbis, ministers, etc.)

Mandatory reporters are required to contact ChildLine immediately when they have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect. If a mandatory reporter does not make an immediate report, they can face legal action against them.

If You Face ChildLine Allegations, LLF Law Firm Can Help

Child abuse allegations are incredibly serious; if you have been reported to ChildLine, you cannot afford to wait to hire an attorney. LLF Law Firm has represented numerous Pennsylvanians under ChildLine and law enforcement investigations. To have a consultation or retain the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team, call 888.535.3686 or contact us online today.