What is the required reporting timeline for suspected child abuse?

• A. A telephone report must be made immediately, and a written report must be sent within 36 hours.
• B. A telephone report is optional; a written report is required within 48 hours.
• C. A written report must be submitted within 24 hours; telephone reports are optional.
• D. Reports may be made at the end of the day.

Answer: (A)

Mandated reporters must act quickly: make an immediate telephone report to the appropriate child protective service or law enforcement agency, then follow up with a written report within 36 hours. This two-step process serves two critical purposes. The immediate call prompts an urgent safety response for the child, while the written report provides detailed, official documentation to support the investigation and record-keeping.

Why the other options don’t fit: delaying a phone report or treating it as optional misses the essential urgency of protecting a child in potential danger. Waiting 48 hours for a written report delays documentation beyond the legal timeframe. Relying only on a written report within 24 hours omits the mandatory real-time notification. Waiting until the end of the day also ignores the need for prompt action.