Which action describes the proper reporting procedure?

• A. To ignore it.
• B. To investigate first.
• C. To report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse to the appropriate agency.
• D. To report only with parent consent.

Answer: (C)

The action being tested is that when there is any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect, you must report it to the designated, appropriate agency immediately. This reflects a mandatory reporting duty: you’re not trying to prove that abuse happened, and you’re not supposed to investigate the situation yourself. Instead, you provide the information you have to the professionals who are trained to assess and intervene.

Why this is the best choice: reporting based on reasonable suspicion ensures the child can get protection and services as quickly as possible, and it aligns with legal and district requirements that prioritize the child’s safety over gathering evidence or delaying action. Parent consent isn’t required to trigger a report, and waiting for proof or for the child to disclose or for the parent to agree would put the child at greater risk. The agency will determine next steps and handle confidentiality and investigation.

The other options don’t fit because ignoring the concern delays protection and is a violation of mandatory reporting rules; attempting to investigate first can contaminate evidence and overstep a staff member’s role; and requiring parent consent ignores the child’s safety and the legal obligation to report when abuse is suspected.