Mandatory Reporter
Each health practitioner, police officer, educator, or human service worker, acting in a professional capacity in this State:
- who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, shall notify Child Protective Services (CPS) or the appropriate law enforcement agency; and
- if acting as a staff member of a hospital, public health agency, child-care institution, juvenile detention center, school, or similar institution, shall immediately notify and give all information required by this section to the head of the institution or the designee of the head.
Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect
Step 1: An oral report, by telephone or direct communication, as soon as possible to Child Protective Services (CPS) or appropriate law enforcement agency; and
| Child Protective Services |
410-836-4713 |
| Child Protective Services (after hours) |
410-838-6600 |
| Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office |
410-638-3500 |
| Child Advocacy Center |
410-638-3294 |
| Department of Safety and Security |
410-638-4242 |
| Child Protective Services Address |
2 South Bond Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 |
Step 2: Complete the fillable report
Step 3A: Submit a copy of your report with the informant’s information to:
- Department of Social Services (DSS), 2 Bond Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 not later than 48 hours after the contact, examination, attention, or treatment that caused the individual to believe that the child had been subjected to abuse or neglect; and
- State’s Attorney’s Office: ccuomo@harfordcountymd.gov and jiallen@harfordcountymd.gov or mail to Harford County State's Attorney's Office, Family Justice Center, 23 N. Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014
Step 3B: Submit a copy of your report without the informant’s information to:
- Building Administrator/Direct Supervisor
- Supervisor of School Social Workers: Christina Alton
TERMS:
Abuse means:
the physical or mental injury of a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of a child, or by any household or family member, under circumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed; or sexual abuse of a child, whether physical injuries are sustained or not.
Neglect means:
the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of the child under circumstances that indicate: that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm; or mental injury to the child or a substantial risk of mental injury.
Neglect means:
any act that involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a child by a parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of a child, or by any household or family member. “Sexual abuse” includes:
- allowing or encouraging a child to engage in:
- obscene photography, films, poses, or similar activity;
- pornographic photography, films, poses, or similar activity; or
- prostitution;
- human trafficking;
- incest;
- rape;
- sexual offense in any degree;
- sodomy; and
- unnatural or perverted sexual practices.
If you suspect Child Abuse or Neglect, please contact the Department of Social Services during normal business hours at 410-836-4713 or by FAX: 410-836-4945. If it is after hours, please contact the Harford County Sheriff's Office at 410-838-6600 or your appropriate local law enforcement agency. Additional reporting resources can be found on the Mandatory Reporting tile on the HCPS homepage
Reporting does NOT require PROOF that child abuse or neglect has occurred. Incidents are to be reported as soon as they are suspected. Waiting for proof may involve grave risk to the child and impede services to the family. Witnesses to child abuse and neglect are rare. Professional judgement and knowledge should be used to evaluate any suspicion. Please note that effective October 1, 2016, if a local department has reason to believe that a mandated reporter knowingly failed to make a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child, the local department must file a complaint with the appropriate licensing board or employer of the mandated reporter. Anyone making a “good faith” report is immune from civil liability and criminal penalty.