Pennsylvania's ChildLine system offers people throughout the state an easy way to report suspected child abuse. While the intent of the ChildLine system may be admirable, it's not perfect. Unfortunately, the implications of a ChildLine referral can be devastating, costing accused individuals jobs, affecting custody of their children, and more.
Has someone reported you to the ChildLine system in Pike County, PA? Get in touch with an experienced lawyer. The Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm is ready to get to work on your case. Learn more about how we may help by submitting a confidential online consultation form or calling our offices at 888.535.3686 today.
What is Pennsylvania's ChildLine System?
ChildLine is a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services program that allows anyone to report suspected child abuse. Anyone who wishes to anonymously report suspected child abuse through ChildLine can do so by calling 1-800-932-0313. The toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What Is a ChildLine Referral?
A ChildLine referral occurs when someone contacts ChildLine to report their suspicions that a child is the victim of abuse or neglect. ChildLine will refer a report to the relevant county department or agency within 24 hours of receiving it.
The exact nature of the process after this initial step can vary from one county to another. It usually involves these general steps:
- Assessment: The authorities at the county agency or department handling a ChildLine report may evaluate its validity before taking any further action. They might decide no action is necessary if they find that a report was made erroneously or maliciously.
- Investigation: County authorities will begin investigating a ChildLine report promptly after determining it is valid. They usually have 60 days to thoroughly investigate a report. During this time, a criminal investigation may also occur. Although ChildLine investigations aren't technically criminal investigations, their investigators may nevertheless coordinate with law enforcement. A ChildLine investigation could involve interviewing people close to the accused, such as their spouse/partner, close friends, family members, coworkers, etc.
- Contacting state licensing boards: This step may only apply when someone accused of child abuse holds a professional license from a state licensing board. Depending on the nature of their license, ChildLine investigators might contact the licensing board to potentially revoke or suspend the accused's professional license.
A ChildLine referral can significantly affect your life long before the investigation concludes. During the investigation, anyone ChildLine investigators interviewed may now wonder if you're guilty of child abuse.
It's essential to have legal assistance from the start. The Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm is prepared to get to work on your case as soon as you enlist our help.
ChildLine Referrals in Pike County
The Department of Children and Youth Services in Pike County handles ChildLine referrals. Along with calling the ChildLine number, someone in Pike County could call Children and Youth Services directly at 570- 296-3446.
The fact that someone reported suspected child abuse doesn't always mean their suspicions are founded. If someone has made a ChildLine report against you in Pike County, protect your rights with help from a knowledgeable lawyer at the LLF Law Firm.
Who Can Make a ChildLine Report in Pike County?
ChildLine allows virtually anyone to report suspected child abuse. Someone making a ChildLine report can do so anonymously.
Anonymous reporting has its potential advantages. If someone has a genuine suspicion that abuse is occurring but also has reason to fear how an alleged abuser will react if they find out they made a report, anonymous reporting allows them to report their concerns without fear.
Or, someone might worry about legal penalties if their suspicions turn out to be unfounded. ChildLine generally shields people from liability in these circumstances.
However, this essential component of the ChildLine system isn't without its drawbacks. The knowledge that there won't be any consequences for making a false report could give someone enough confidence to make a false report maliciously. For example, a bitter spouse engaged in a custody dispute might make a ChildLine referral against their spouse despite knowing no actual abuse is happening.
ChildLined Reports in Pike County: Mandated Reporters
Anyone can make a ChildLine report. Pennsylvania law also requires certain individuals to report suspected child abuse. These people are called Mandated Reporters (MRs).
Someone in Pennsylvania may be an MR if they qualify as any of the following:
- Someone with a license or certification allowing them to practice in a health-related industry or field under the jurisdiction of the Department of State
- A medical examiner
- A coroner
- A funeral director
- A healthcare facility employee or a healthcare provider with a license from the Department of Health, particularly if their work involves direct interaction with patients
- A school worker
- A childcare worker, as long as their duties involve direct interaction with children
- A priest, rabbi, or other spiritual leader
- Someone who participates in a regular program or activity during which they may supervise children or see to their welfare, even if they are only volunteering their time (such as a team coach)
- An employee of a social services agency, as long as their work involves direct interaction with children
- A public library employee whose work involves interaction with children
- An emergency medical services provider certified under the Department of Health
- An independent contractor whose work may involve interaction with children
- A person whose manager or supervisor is any of the above if their work involves interaction with children
- An attorney affiliated with an organization (like a school) providing care, guidance, or similar services to children
- Foster parents
- Adult members of a child's family involved in their care
It can be difficult for an MR to know when they need to make a report. Generally, MRs are supposed to report suspected abuse only when they have "reasonable cause" to believe abuse might be occurring. An MR doesn't need to know for certain that abuse is happening to be required to report their suspicions.
"Reasonable cause" is a vague term in these circumstances. It essentially means that someone else with the same degree of training and experience as an MR would also suspect abuse might be happening if they knew the details of a situation. This loose definition can result in MRs making false reports because they believe they are required to report any suspicions.
Most ChildLine reporters must call the toll-free number to make reports. MRs should file ChildLine reports electronically. While non-MRs can make reports anonymously, MRs must identify themselves and provide their contact information when making reports.
ChildLine usually won't publicly identify an MR who makes a report. Most MRs are also shielded from responsibility if their suspicions turn out to be unfounded. However, an MR may be liable if an investigation reveals they made a false ChildLine report with malicious intentions.
It's clear there are certain potential benefits to requiring people who work with children to report abuse when they think it might be happening. That said, such requirements may cause MRs to report minor suspicions due to a misunderstanding of their duties. Inevitably, this can result in unfounded reports.
Has someone made such a report against you? Leave nothing to chance now. Contact the LLF Law Firm to ensure you have a proper defense.
What Happens if a ChildLine Referral Results in a Finding of Child Abuse?
There are three potential outcomes when ChildLine investigators conclude their investigations. They may determine a report is one of the following:
- Unfounded: A report is unfounded if investigators don't discover strong evidence of abuse or neglect.
- Indicated: If investigators determine a report is indicated, this means they uncovered enough evidence of abuse to justify adding the accused's name to Pennsylvania's ChildLine registry.
- Founded: Investigators will classify a report as founded when a judicial adjudication (such as a trial verdict) indicates the accused is guilty of child abuse. This is another instance in which the accused's name will be listed on the ChildLine registry.
Technically, the ChildLine registry isn't publicly accessible. Regardless, having your name on the ChildLine registry can disrupt your life for years to come. The following are just a few examples of consequences you may face if your name is on the registry:
- If you currently have any professional licenses, you might lose them. You may also no longer be eligible to receive certain licenses and certifications in the future. Additionally, some employers may have access to the registry. Thus, having your name listed on the Pennsylvania ChildLine registry can limit your employment opportunities.
- Do you have custody or visitation rights? You may lose these rights if your name is on the ChildLine registry.
- Although they likely won't have direct access to the registry, your friends, family members, coworkers, and others might indirectly learn your name is on it. This can severely strain personal relationships.
- Having your name on the ChildLine registry may prevent you from volunteering, particularly in a capacity that involves working with children.
It's vital to remember that a ChildLine investigation may run parallel to a separate criminal investigation. You might face criminal penalties along with the consequences above.
You can't risk letting a ChildLine report affect your future. Your chances of minimizing the impact of a ChildLine referral may be greater when you have proper legal assistance. That's exactly what our Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm is prepared to offer.
What Are Your Rights if Someone Has Referred You to ChildLine?
You should receive official notification of a ChildLine report that someone has made against you. You have the right to see a copy of the report at this time. You also have the right to an attorney.
Once a ChildLine investigation concludes, authorities should inform you of the following:
- Whether investigators determined your report was founded, unfounded, or indicated
- The general status of the report
- Your right to appeal the case, which could potentially result in expungement of your record in the ChildLine registry
- The potential effects that having your name in the ChildLine registry may have on your employment opportunities
- The specific information from your report that will be included with your ChildLine registry listing
You must act fast to appeal a ChildLine case. You have 90 days from the conclusion of your case to file an appeal. You have a right to a hearing if you appeal your case.
Pike County authorities and any other authorities involved in your ChildLine investigation will have to present their case during an appeal. The burden of proof is on them, not you. It might be possible to remove your name from the ChildLine registry if county authorities can't show sufficient evidence indicating why they reached their conclusions.
It can't be stated enough: Hiring a lawyer shortly after discovering someone has filed a ChildLine report against you is critical. The sooner an attorney gets to work on your case, the better.
However, it's also important to note that you can hire a lawyer even after a ChildLine investigation concludes. If you disagree with the findings of Pike County ChildLine investigators, a ChildLine appeals attorney at the LLF Law Firm can provide valuable assistance.
How the LLF Law Firm Can Help You if You've Been Referred to ChildLine in Pike County
You need dedicated legal assistance if someone has referred you to the ChildLine system in Pike County, PA. An attorney can help you in many ways now. Examples include:
- Speaking on your behalf during interviews and hearings so that you don't accidentally say something that can negatively impact your case
- Explaining your rights during and after a ChildLine investigation
- Offering the peace of mind that comes from knowing experienced attorneys are handling your case
At the LLF Law Firm, our Criminal Defense Team may consider a range of potential strategies to defend you against an accusation of child abuse. Get started today by calling us at 888.535.3686 or by contacting us online through the confidential online consultation form.