IDABEL PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILD ABUSE 1
Reporting The Department of Human Services has a statewide centralized hotline for reporting child abuse or neglect. Every person having reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect shall report the matter promptly. Any office of DHS receiving a child abuse or neglect report shall promptly respond by initiating an investigation. 2
RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT Any person who knowingly or willfully fails to promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect or who interferes with reporting any abuse or neglect may be reported to local law enforcement and may be convicted of a misdemeanor 3
Deprived Child One who is for any reason destitute, homeless, or abandoned One who does not have proper parental care or guardianship One who has been abused, neglected, or is dependent One whose home is an unfit place for a child 4
DEPRIVED One who is with a disability deprived of nutrition necessary to sustain life One who due to improper care is absent from school as specified in Okla.Statutes Section , Title 70 5
Drug Endangered Child One who is at risk of suffering physical, psychological or sexual harm as a result of the use, possession, distribution, manufacture of controlled substances, or the attempt of any of these acts by the person responsible for their care Also includes newborns who test positive for a controlled dangerous substance 6
Heinous and Shocking Abuse Includes aggravated physical abuses that results in serious bodily, mental, or emotional injury such as: Risk of death Extreme physical pain Bone fracture Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation 7
Neglect Neglect is defined as failure or omission to provide any of the following: Adequate nurturance and affection, food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, hygiene or appropriate education Medical, dental, or behavioral health care Supervision or appropriate caretakers 8
NEGLECT Failure or omission to protect a child from exposure to the following: Use, possession, sale, or manufacture of illegal drugs Illegal activities Abandonment 9
Immunity from Civil or Criminal Liability Any person who in good faith and exercising due care, reports suspected child abuse or neglect shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be imposed. 10
CONFIDENTIAL All reports and other information acquired pursuant to the Oklahoma Children’s Code shall be confidential and may be disclosed only as provided by this Code, state or federal law, regulation, or court order 11
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT (CAPTA) In accordance with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the SoonerStart program accepts referrals of all children under the age of three (3) who are the subject of a substantiated case of abuse or neglect. In addition, SoonerStart accepts referrals for infants and toddlers identified as being directly affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure. CONTACT HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 13