Reporting a suspicion of child abuse or neglect is a stressful thing for child care providers. But what happens to the report after you contact your local police department or child protection agency?
What Happens after You Report
First, the agency receiving the report must decide if the information provided justifies an investigation. If so, an investigation is started right away. In some states, action is taken within a 24-hour period. But it may take 30 to 60 days to …