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| Report Abuse
Information about Abuse and Neglect of Children
and Maryland’s Law
Child abuse and neglect of children is a serious problem which
requires the involvement of all private citizens and professionals
in the community for the purpose of prevention, identification
and treatment. In Maryland, the child abuse and neglect law mandates
that all persons, including all professionals, make a report as
soon as possible to the department of social services when they
SUSPECT a child has been or is being mistreated.
 Who is required to report/mandated reporter
Any health practitioner, police officer, educator, or human service
worker who knowingly fails to make a required report of child abuse
may be subject to certain professional sanctions.
Child abuse is defined as the physical or mental injury of a child
by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care
or custody or responsibility for supervision of a child, or by
any household or family member, under circumstances that indicate
that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial
risk of being harmed; or sexual abuse of a child weather physical
injuries are sustained or not. Sexual abuse means any act that
involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a child, and includes;
fondling, incest, rape or sexual offense in any degree, sodomy,
and unnatural or prevented sexual practices
Child neglect is defined as the failure to give proper
care and attention to a child including the leaving of a child
unattended, under circumstances that indicate that the child's health or welfare
is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm.
 Child Abuse and Neglect also includes mental injury of a child.
Mental injury is defined as an observable, identifiable and substantial
impairment of a child’s mental or psychological ability to
function. When mental injury is suspected an assessment is required
by any two of the following: physician, psychologist or social
worker.
Good Faith
The law provides immunity from any civil liability or criminal
penalty when a report is made in good faith. The law provides immunity
for persons who participate in an investigation or a resulting
judicial proceeding.
Making a Report
The names of persons making referrals concerning maltreatment are
kept in the strictest confidence. Individuals who make reports
are encouraged to give their names and telephone numbers to person
taking the referral so that additional information may be obtained
from them at a later date, if necessary. If someone does not wish
to reveal his or her name, the report may still be made anonymously.
Report Child Abuse in Washington County
Call: 240-420-2222 |
