What is the deadline for submitting a written report after a suspected child abuse call?

• A. Within 36 hours of receiving the information.
• B. Within 72 hours.
• C. Within 24 hours.
• D. Within 7 days.

Answer: (A)

When a suspected child abuse case is reported, you must act quickly to involve the appropriate authorities. The written report has to be submitted within 36 hours of you receiving the information. The reason for this window is to ensure that child protective services have timely, essential details to begin a professional investigation, while you’ve still got a clear, accurate memory of what was observed or communicated. You should also make an oral report to the designated agency right away; the written report is the formal documentation you complete within that 36-hour period. The other timeframes (24 hours, 72 hours, or 7 days) don’t meet the mandated reporting requirements.