Scioto County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Portsmouth urgent care after a doctor reported possible signs of abuse on a 3-year-old child.
The call came from King’s Daughters Medical Center Urgent Care shortly after midnight after medical staff reported seeing what appeared to be possible cigarette burns on the child.
Deputies responded and took information for a report.
Scioto County Children Services was also contacted about the case.
The initial sheriff’s report does not say who was suspected of causing the injuries or establish how the marks occurred.
That determination is now up to investigators.
Doctors Are Required to Report Suspected Abuse
Ohio law does not require a doctor to prove that a child has been abused before making a report.
Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are among the people considered mandated reporters under Ohio law.
If a mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, or is at risk of it, the person is required to make an immediate report to Children Services or law enforcement.
That distinction matters.
A doctor who sees an injury that raises concern is not making a legal finding that abuse occurred. The doctor is reporting something that warrants further investigation.
Who Else Must Report?
Ohio’s mandated-reporter law covers a long list of professionals who regularly work with children or may encounter signs of abuse.
That includes physicians, nurses, teachers, school employees, child care workers, social workers, foster parents, law enforcement officers, attorneys, dentists and certain clergy, among others.
The requirement is based on reasonable suspicion, not certainty.
That means a teacher who notices unexplained injuries, a nurse who sees a concerning pattern or a child care worker who hears a troubling disclosure generally should not try to conduct their own investigation before making the report.
Their job is to report the concern.
Investigators determine what happened.
What Happens After a Report?
When law enforcement receives a child-abuse report, Ohio law generally requires that information to be referred to the appropriate public children services agency.
Likewise, when Children Services receives an abuse report, law enforcement may also be notified so the agencies can work together.
Ohio law generally requires the public children services agency to investigate reports of suspected abuse or neglect within 24 hours, although the exact response and investigative process can depend on the circumstances of the case.
Investigators may speak with the child, parents, caregivers, medical professionals and other people who have relevant information.
Medical records, photographs, examinations and other evidence can also become part of the investigation.
The goal at that stage is to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred and whether the child is safe.
What If You’re Not a Mandated Reporter?
You can still report suspected child abuse.
Ohio allows anyone who reasonably suspects abuse or neglect to make a report.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth operates 855-O-H-CHILD — 855-642-4453. The line connects callers with the appropriate county child welfare or law-enforcement agency.
Reports can be made anonymously.
Helpful information can include the child’s name and age, where the child lives, the names of parents or caregivers, what you observed and why you are concerned.
But you do not have to know everything before making the call.
Ohio officials specifically advise that people should report their concerns even if they are unsure. Children Services determines whether there is enough information to open an investigation.
Reporting Is Not the Same as Accusing
That is especially important in cases involving injuries to very young children.
There can be innocent explanations for injuries.
There can also be situations where the explanation does not match what medical professionals are seeing.
The purpose of mandated reporting is to make sure those questions are examined by the people responsible for protecting children.
In this case, a medical professional saw marks on a 3-year-old that raised enough concern to make a report.
Deputies documented the incident, and Children Services was notified.
Whether those injuries were caused by abuse remains a matter for investigators to determine.