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

Cross-Reporting Between Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement

Citation: Ann. Code §§€‚49-2-803; 49-2-809

A mandatory reporter who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is neglected or abused, including sexual abuse or sexual assault, or observes the child being subjected to conditions that are likely to result in abuse or neglect shall immediately, and not more than 24 hours after suspecting this abuse or neglect, report the circumstances to the Department of Health and Human Resources. In any case where the reporter believes that the child suffered serious physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual assault, the reporter also shall immediately report to the State Police and any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the complaint.

Reports of child abuse and neglect shall be made immediately to child protective services by a method established by the department. A copy of any report of serious physical abuse, sexual abuse, or assault shall be forwarded by the department to the appropriate law enforcement agency, the prosecuting attorney, or the coroner or medical examiner's office.

Other Reporting Requirements

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 49-2-802(c)(4); 49-2-803; 49-2-806

Each local child protective services office shall make efforts as soon as practicable to determine the military status of parents whose children are subject to abuse or neglect allegations. If the office determines that a parent or guardian is in the military, the department shall notify a Department of Defense family advocacy program that there is an allegation of abuse and neglect that is screened in and open for investigation that relates to that military parent or guardian.

A humane officer who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is neglected or abused shall report the circumstances to the department. In any case in which the reporter believes that the child suffered serious physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual assault, the reporter shall also immediately report to the State Police and any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the complaint.

In the event a child protective service worker, in response to a report, forms a reasonable suspicion that an animal is the victim of cruel or inhumane treatment, he or she shall report the suspicion and the basis therefor to the county humane officer within 24 hours of the response to the report.