Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Requirements

All child care personnel are mandated by law to report their suspicions of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline in accordance with s. 39.201 of the Florida Statutes (F.S.).

∗ Child care personnel must be alert to the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect. “Child Abuse or Neglect” is defined in s. 39.201, F.S., as “harm or threatened harm” to a child’s health (mental or physical) or welfare by the acts or omissions by a parent, adult household member, other person responsible for the child’s welfare, or for purposes of reporting requirements by any person.

Categories include:

• Physical Abuse or Neglect (i.e. unexplained bruises, hunger, and lack of supervision…)
• Emotional Abuse or Neglect (i.e. impairment in the ability to function, depression…)
• Sexual Abuse (i.e. withdrawal, excessive crying, physical symptoms…)

∗ Reports must be made immediately to the Florida Abuse Hotline Information System by:

• Telephone at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873), or

• Fax at 1-800-914-0004, or

• Online at www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/