BCIA 8572, Suspected Child Abuse Report - State of California

If abuse is suspected, a report should be filed with qualified and experienced agencies that will investigate the situation. The California State Child Abuse Reporting Law provides the legal basis for action to protect children and to allow intervention by public agencies if a child is being abused.

The investigating agency is required under Penal Code Section 11169 to submit to DOJ a Child Abuse Investigation Report Form SS 8583 if (1) an active investigation was conducted and (2) the incident was determined not to be unfounded.

Report suspected child abuse or neglect at 858-560-2191 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Within the State of California, call toll free 1(800) 344-6000. MANDATED REPORTERS: You can now self-register and submit non-urgent child abuse reports through our online Mandated Reporter Application .

If you suspect that a child's health or safety is jeopardized due to abuse or neglect by parents or other caretaker who has custody of the child, contact the child protective services complaint line in your county.

The investigating agency is required under Penal Code Section 11169 to submit to DOJ a Child Abuse Investigation Report Form SS 8583 if (1) an active investigation was conducted and (2) the incident was determined not to be unfounded. All Penal Code (PC) references are located in Article 2.5 of the PC.

Suspected Child Abuse Reporting Form: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/childabuse/ss_8572.pdf? Who should report allegations of abuse or neglect?

Anyone can make a confidential report of suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Be prepared to provide the child’s name, address, approximate age, and situation. Call 9-1-1 if a child is in immediate danger. Call the FCS Hotline (800) 856-5553, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you suspect a child is being harmed.

Child abuse and neglect comes in many forms and can be an act or an omission that harms a child. It may include: Sexual Abuse; Neglect (severe and general) Physical Abuse (willful harming or endangering of a child and unlawful corporal punishment or injury) Emotional Abuse; Abuse or Neglect in out of home care; Maternal Substance Abuse

Reports of suspected child abuse or maltreatment shall be made immediately by telephone* and in writing within 48 hours after such oral report…written reports shall be made to the appropriate local child protective services on this form (Report of Suspected Child Abuse and Maltreatment, LDSS-2221-A).