Cross-Reporting Among Agencies That Respond to Child Abuse and Neglect - Indiana

Cross-Reporting Between Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 31-33-7-5; 31-33-7-7

A copy of the written report from the Department of Child Services immediately shall be made available to the following:

• The appropriate law enforcement agency
• The prosecuting attorney
• In a case involving death, the coroner for the coroner's consideration

When a law enforcement agency receives an initial report under the reporting law that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, the law enforcement agency shall do the following:

• Immediately communicate the report to the department, whether or not the law enforcement agency has reason to believe there exists an imminent danger to the child's health or welfare
• Conduct an immediate onsite assessment of the report along with the department whenever the law enforcement agency has reason to believe that an offense has been committed

In all cases, the law enforcement agency shall forward any information (including copies of assessment reports) on incidents of cases in which a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, whether or not obtained under the reporting laws, to the department and the juvenile court.

Other Reporting Requirements

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.