Who is responsible for reporting suspected child abuse when observed by a staff member?

• A. The custodian of records must report on behalf of the employee.
• B. The employee who suspects abuse must make the initial report to the proper agency.
• C. The school nurse only reports to the district.
• D. The student must report to the parent.

Answer: (B)

When someone who works with children observes possible abuse, the responsibility to initiate protection and investigation rests with that observer. In schools, staff are mandatory reporters, meaning they must file the initial report with the proper child welfare agency or designated hotline promptly. This ensures the situation is evaluated by professionals who can assess safety and arrange any needed supports for the child. The other roles described don’t fit the required process: a custodian of records handles paperwork and records, not the reporting of abuse; a school nurse is indeed a mandated reporter but reporting isn’t restricted to the district—it's about contacting the appropriate external agency, not just internal channels; and a student is not the appropriate channel for initiating protection—the process relies on trusted adults or authorities to ensure safety. The key idea is that the person who suspects abuse is the one who must report first, because they are legally obligated and because their notification starts the official response to protect the child.