Understanding the Criminal Justice System
Indiana has a broad requirement that any person who “has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect” must report that to the state. This general requirement is over and above any other requirement that someone might have because of their employment at a hospital. It essentially applies to every person in Indiana; someone who fails to make a report when they suspect child abuse or neglect has occurred can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.
Indiana law requires reports of suspected child abuse or neglect to be made to the state’s Department of Child Services or any local law enforcement agency. Reports of abuse or neglect must be made “immediately” – the law doesn’t provide any grace period that would allow someone who suspects child abuse is occurring to wait to make a report once they suspect that it’s taking place.
The Department of Child Services has a toll-free number that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for reporting suspected child abuse. Reports can be made anonymously, though the DCS encourages people making reports to share their contact information in case there are follow-up questions.
Being accused of child abuse can be an extremely stressful experience. A DCS caseworker will investigate, and in some cases, criminal charges may result. The fact is that the majority of cases of suspected child abuse made in Indiana end up being classified as “unsubstantiated” by DCS. A recent DCS report, for example, classified almost 86% of all child abuse reports as unsubstantiated.
If you’ve been accused of child abuse or neglect, you have a right to be represented by an attorney during the investigation of the allegations made against you. Taking the step of protecting your rights by working with an attorney shows DCS that you are taking the accusations seriously and that you want to make sure your rights, as well as those of any family members affected by the allegations, are respected.
At Razumich & Associates, we understand how stressful it can be to find yourself the focus of a child abuse or neglect allegation. Our experienced attorneys understand Indiana’s child protection laws, policies, and procedures and are here to help you understand what your rights are in this kind of situation. We will be by your side, helping you protect those rights while cooperating with DCS investigators. If your case leads to criminal charges, we will vigorously defend you.
Learn more about how Razumich & Associates can help if you’ve been accused of suspected child abuse or neglect by calling us at 317-983-5333 or by using our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.
