Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Ohio

Failure to Report

Citation: Rev. Code § 2151.99

Any person who fails to report suspected child abuse or neglect, as required by § 2151.421, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

Any person required to report by § 2151.421(A)(4) (requiring reports by clergy) who fails to report when knowing that a child has been abused or neglected and knowing that the person who committed the abuse or neglect was a cleric or another person other than a volunteer designated by a church, religious society, or faith to act as a leader, official, or delegate on behalf of the church, religious society, or faith is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree if the person who has failed to report and the person who committed the abuse or neglect belong to the same church, religious society, or faith.

The person who fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree if the child suffers or faces the threat of suffering the physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition that would be the basis of the required report when the child is under the direct care or supervision of another person over whom the offender has supervisory control.

False Reporting

Citation: Rev. Code § 2921.14

No person shall knowingly make or cause another person to make a false report alleging that any person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child being abused or neglected.

Whoever violates this section is guilty of making or causing a false report of child abuse or child neglect, a misdemeanor of the first degree.