Mandated Reporter Information
Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected should make a referral to their local Children Services Agency. Morrow County Children Services is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During business hours, Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to4:30 pm, please call 419-947-9111 and ask for the worker of the day. During nonbusiness hours, an on-call worker is available to handle emergencies and receive reports
of abuse and neglect. Please contact the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office at 419-946-4444. Any person who knowingly makes or causes another person to make a false report that alleges that any person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child being abused or neglected is guilty of a violation of section 2921.14 and can be prosecuted.
Some professionals are mandated by law (ORC 2151.421) to report abuse or neglect, including attorneys, physicians, day care center staff, social workers, speech pathologists, school personnel and children services agency staff. The Ohio Revised Code provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for those who “participating in good faith” make a report of possible abuse or neglect, and also requires children services agencies to keep confidential the referral source. In general, mandated reporters are individuals who work with children in a professional capacity. The ORC section 2151.421 states that if a mandated reporter knows of or suspects child abuse or neglect, he/or she must report the
abuse, neglect or suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to the local children services agency. Mandated reporters who make a report in their mandated capacity are entitled to certain information other reporters of abuse and neglect are not entitled to receive. This information includes whether the information was screened in for investigation, whether the child is safe, if the case has been closed and if there is a filing
in juvenile court. A mandated reporter may call the agency to obtain this information.
For reporters that are not determined to be mandated reports, information can only be shared if the custodial parent signs a release allowing the agency to share information regarding their involvement with the agency.
How to Make A Referral
Any person can make a report to Children Services if they are concerned with the welfare of a child. Reporters can make reports over the phone, in person, fax or by letter. Which ever method is chosen to make a report, the agency is need of the following information
if it is available.
Information Needed
- The name and age of the child (preferable a birth date also).
- Address of the child.
- Who the alleged perpetrator is and the address.
- Information on the perpetrator’s access to the child.
- Names of parents and/or caretakers.
- Address of the legal parent and/or caretakers.
- Names of any other children or adults living in the home.
- Information (specific as possible) regarding the alleged abuse or neglect. The date of the incident(s), other possible victims, witnesses, etc. How long the issue has existed, if the issue has ever been addressed with the parent/caretaker.
- Names and contact information for others who may know information regarding the allegations.
- Names of any known relatives and contact information.
- Concerns regarding drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, mental health.
This is the preferred information. However, call with whatever information you have and feel free to call us back if you find additional information. In order to investigate a report, we must have at a minimum, information to be able to identify the victim and/or a way to locate the victim.
What Children Services Does When a Referral is Received
When a referral is made regarding possible child abuse or neglect it is screened to
determine if it meets the criteria for assessment and investigation. Referrals to Family & Children Services are screened to determine the presence of abuse or neglect as defined by the ORC and by guidance from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. A supervisor or administrator in the Family & Children Services Unit is responsible for the screening of abuse and neglect referrals. If it is determined that the custodial parent of the child resides in another county, the agency will refer that information to that county to determine if it meets the criteria for assessment and investigation.
A report may be initiated through face to face contact with the alleged child victim or by speaking with someone who can assure the well being of the child. If the report is determined to be an emergency, the case worker must make an attempt to see the alleged child victim within 1 hour. If the report is determined to be a non-emergency, face to face with the alleged child victim must be attempted or a collateral contact who can ensure the safety of the child must be made within 24 hours. If a collateral contact has been made, face to face contact with the child must still be made within three days.
During the course of an assessment, the case worker will interview the child, interview
the alleged perpetrator, interview the parents, and observe the interaction of the child with his/her caretakers. Other witnesses or individuals who know of the situation will be contacted. The case worker may make a visit to the home, the school, or other locations which will provide information. In all cases, investigations of the allegations and assessment of the risk of child abuse or neglect are completed within 45-60 days.
Dispositions of allegations of child abuse or neglect falls into three categories:
Substantiated: There is corroborated evidence that child abuse or neglect did occur.
Indicated: There is evidence that abuse or neglect has occurred but evidence may not be able to be corroborated.
Unsubstantiated: There is not significant evidence of abuse or neglect.
Types of Children Services Cases
Not all investigations and assessments result in an open case with Family &
Children Services. The decision to open a case is made by the entire Family & Children
Services staff. Cases are discussed and evaluated on the family’s need of services.
Children may be removed from the home at any time during the assessment if the situation presents an immediate danger to the child’s safety. Temporary custody is granted by the Juvenile Court. A child may remain in the Agency’s custody for a few
days up to termination of parental rights in extreme cases. Custody cases have frequent court reviews to determine progress on the case plan and assess when a child may go home.
In most cases, the child remains in the home with his/her family. Cases may be opened through voluntary cooperation from the family if services are needed. In these cases, families voluntarily develop a case plan for services with the agency. The agency usually remains involved with these families for one to six months although some cases remain open for much longer. These cases are typically lower risk of abuse or neglect or the extent of the abuse or neglect is not likely to cause a significant danger to the child’s health and safety.
If a significant risk to the child exists without Agency intervention, the Agency may request the court grant Protective Supervision. In Protective Supervision cases, the Agency has access to the child at any time and the family has a court ordered case plan.
The child remains in the home while the family is working on goals. The case has frequent reviews by the court and by the Agency to assess progress and the safety of the child.
In extreme cases, typically custody cases, where parents have not made significant progress on case plan goals and the child’s health and safety would still be at risk if he/she was in the home, the Agency may file a request for permanent custody. In permanent custody cases, parental rights are terminated and the child is made available for adoption. Other permanency solutions for children who can not go back to their parents may include custody to a third party (such as a family friend or relative) or planned permanent living arrangement for older teens.
Confidentiality
Each report and investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect is confidential and may be shared only when dissemination is authorized by the Director of Morrow County Job & Family Services and then only if the information is needed to protect a child from future abuse and neglect.
If there is an open criminal investigation, law enforcement officers may request information from Children Services records. This request can be made through the Family & Children Services attorney or the Family & Children Services Administrator.
The identities of the reporter and any person providing information during the course of a child abuse or neglect investigation shall remain confidential. The identities of these individuals can not be released or affirmed by Children Services to any party other than other Children Services staff, law enforcement officials or the prosecutor’s office. These circumstances include investigating a report of child abuse or neglect they may rise to the level of criminal charges or if they are conducting an investigation that a person has knowingly made a false report or caused another individual to make a false report
Section 2151.421 of the ORC provides the legal background for the rules regarding confidentiality of reports of child abuse or neglect:
(H)(1) Except as provided in divisions (H)(4), (M), and (N) of this section, a report made under this section is confidential. The information provided in a report made pursuant to this section and the name of the person who made the report shall not be released for use, and shall not be used, as evidence in any civil action or proceeding brought against the person who made the report. In a criminal proceeding, the report is admissible in evidence in accordance with the Rules of Evidence and is subject to discovery in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Children Services records, in general, are confidential. They can not even be used
in civil cases. The alleged perpetrator of child abuse or neglect is informed of the
allegations and the disposition of the case. Family & Children Services may not provide information on the reporting source or witness statements to the alleged perpetrator or any other principle of the case. There are times that an alleged perpetrator or other principle of the case guesses at who made the report. Family &
Children Services can not affirm or deny any guess that an individual may make regarding the reporting source or the source of any collateral information.
If a family signs a release of information for Children Services to share
information with you, you may receive more detailed information. This frequently
happens when a case has been opened for Family Intervention or “on-going” services.
Screening of Referrals
The screening process (the process of determining what will be accepted for
investigation and what will be “screened out”) is done through a combination of the legal definitions and through guidance from Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. The information is reviewed to determine if it meets the criteria for abuse or neglect based on definitions and State guidance. This determination is made by a supervisor in the Family & Children Services Unit with consultation with the Administrator if needed.
Removing Children From the Home
Children are removed from the home on an emergency basis through officer acceptance or an order from the court when the home environment represents an immediate and serious risk to their health and safety.
An emergency is a situation where the child’s health and safety are at imminent risk of serious harm. That is, that a child is currently in a situation where he/she is likely to be in a life threatening situation or one where the child may suffer harm that may result
in a permanent disability.
Children may also be removed when abuse or neglect is present, does not represent an immediate risk to their health or safety, but may have significant long term negative effects on the child’s health and safety. Children removed under these circumstances are almost always removed as the result of a court hearing and after Family & Children Services has worked with the family to try to alleviate the risk to the
children in the home.
The decision regarding the removal of a child from his/her home must be made by weighing the risk of abuse or neglect against the traumatic and long term emotional effect that being removed may cause. Many children in our community do not live in the most
optimal environment for their development and education. However, these are their homes and as long as their home does not represent a significant health or safety risk to the child, the best place for them is with their family.
Children who have been determined to have been abused or neglected may remain in their own homes while they work on a case plan with Children Services. It is not always in a child’s best interest to be removed from the home and many situations can be
successfully resolved through working with the family while the child remains in the home.
What to do if you have concerns on how a case was handled
If your concern is how an assessment and investigation were handled or your concern is how an on-going case is being handled, you may call the Family Intervention Supervisor at 419-949-2614. If your concerns are not alleviated, please call The Family & Children Services Administrator at 419-949-2604. If you are still not satisfied, you may call the Director of Job and Family Services at 419-949-2606.
Frequently Asked Questions
NO: An allegation if a dirty home, in and of itself, may not be sufficient cause for
Children Services to initiate an assessment.
BUT: If factors (e.g. animal feces, broken windows, diseased pets, sharp or dangerous tools or objects, trash spilling over and rotting, rats, cluttered stairs, extensive clutter preventing child’s ability to play etc) place a child at physical or medical risk due to the child’s age, special needs, or health problems, Children Services may investigate, depending on the information.
Children Services to initiate an assessment.
BUT: If factors (e.g. animal feces, broken windows, diseased pets, sharp or dangerous tools or objects, trash spilling over and rotting, rats, cluttered stairs, extensive clutter preventing child’s ability to play etc) place a child at physical or medical risk due to the child’s age, special needs, or health problems, Children Services may investigate, depending on the information.
YES: Risk to the child’s physical health could result. (This does not include if the
family has kerosene heaters or other means where they are keeping a room warm)
family has kerosene heaters or other means where they are keeping a room warm)
YES: If the child does not have access to water, it could result in the risk to a child’s physical health. However, if the family is buying bottled water, is showering at a neighbors, and has a way to safely assure toileting needs are met, an assessment may not be completed.
No: Lack of electricity, in and of itself, is not sufficient cause for assessment.
BUT: If there is reason to believe that risk to the child may exist because of the situation, a referral may be accepted for assessment.
Example: a child who requires a health monitor of some type; electric heat is the only source of heat in the home and the weather is cold.
BUT: If there is reason to believe that risk to the child may exist because of the situation, a referral may be accepted for assessment.
Example: a child who requires a health monitor of some type; electric heat is the only source of heat in the home and the weather is cold.
NO: An allegation that a child is dirty, in and of itself, is not sufficient cause for Children Service to initiate an assessment. This includes a child who may “smell.”
BUT: If there are indicators that the child’s health is at risk because of his/her uncleanness, this may be sufficient to initiate an assessment.
BUT: If there are indicators that the child’s health is at risk because of his/her uncleanness, this may be sufficient to initiate an assessment.
NO: Lack of clothing, in and of itself, is not sufficient cause for Children Services to conduct an assessment.
BUT: Failure to provide adequate and appropriate clothing within the limits of the parent’s resources is considered neglect. If the child is exposed to cold weather elements, not of the child’s choice, for example, a teenager who refuses to wear their winter coat or takes it off after they leave home, maybe the reason for an agency to assess the situation.
BUT: Failure to provide adequate and appropriate clothing within the limits of the parent’s resources is considered neglect. If the child is exposed to cold weather elements, not of the child’s choice, for example, a teenager who refuses to wear their winter coat or takes it off after they leave home, maybe the reason for an agency to assess the situation.
YES: If the children were present or were aware of the domestic violence, however domestic violence does not include yelling or screaming at each other.
Ohio law does not designate an age at which a child can be left alone.
Many factors such as the length of time the child is left alone, the age and the maturity level of the child, the time of day, and whether or not the child is comfortable in being home alone and knows what to do in case of an emergency are all significant in determining when children can be safely left alone.
Acceptance of a referral for assessment is based on the age of the child; the
child’s self-help skills; behavior of the caretaker or parents; the time frame the child is left alone; environmental factors, and if the child is responsible for caring for other,younger children.
Many factors such as the length of time the child is left alone, the age and the maturity level of the child, the time of day, and whether or not the child is comfortable in being home alone and knows what to do in case of an emergency are all significant in determining when children can be safely left alone.
Acceptance of a referral for assessment is based on the age of the child; the
child’s self-help skills; behavior of the caretaker or parents; the time frame the child is left alone; environmental factors, and if the child is responsible for caring for other,younger children.
NO: Excessive absences, in and of itself, is not sufficient reason to initiate an
assessment.
BUT: If the child is younger school aged and there is information that the parent is keeping the child home for non-medical reasons, an assessment may be initiated.
Older children are typically referred for services through a truancy officer.
assessment.
BUT: If the child is younger school aged and there is information that the parent is keeping the child home for non-medical reasons, an assessment may be initiated.
Older children are typically referred for services through a truancy officer.
NO: Substance abuse by the caretaker, without an allegation of abuse or neglect to the
child, is not sufficient for Children Services to initiate an assessment.
BUT: If the substance abuse places the child in a dangerous situation, such as in the
middle of a meth lab, or if the parent passes out leaving a young child unsupervised, the report will be screened in and investigated.
child, is not sufficient for Children Services to initiate an assessment.
BUT: If the substance abuse places the child in a dangerous situation, such as in the
middle of a meth lab, or if the parent passes out leaving a young child unsupervised, the report will be screened in and investigated.
NO: A suicide threat or attempt, with proper and timely medical treatment and if the child is being cared for, in and of itself, is not sufficient cause for an agency to initiate an assessment. In these situations, the first call should be to the local mental health agency to assess the risk of harm to self or others. Children Services personnel are not qualified to make this determination. Parents or caretakers should also be notified.
BUT: If the parents did not obtain necessary medical or recommended psychological
treatment for the child, or if the parent is unwilling or unable to assist the child in obtaining medical or psychological attention; or if the child is threatening or attempting suicide due to abuse or neglect in the home, an assessment be conducted. If a child is at school and is threatening suicide, the school should contact the parents and address the situation with them.
BUT: If the parents did not obtain necessary medical or recommended psychological
treatment for the child, or if the parent is unwilling or unable to assist the child in obtaining medical or psychological attention; or if the child is threatening or attempting suicide due to abuse or neglect in the home, an assessment be conducted. If a child is at school and is threatening suicide, the school should contact the parents and address the situation with them.
Some types of injuries and indicators of abuse include:
- Burns and scalding that are suspicious (shapes such as cigarette burns, hot utensils, stove, clothing patterned burns, doughnut shaped burns on the buttocks or genitals indicative of immersion in hot liquid, rope burns on the arm, legs, neck or torso; patterned burns that show the shape of an item). Again, the type of injury should be at odds with a given explanation or the injury.
- Cuts/bruises/welts (on face, lips or mouth, in various stages of healing on large area of torso, back, buttocks, or thighs in unusual patterns, clustered or reflective of the interment used to inflict them; on several different surface areas).
- Human bites
- Unexplained sprains/dislocations or explanation is inconsistent with the injury.
- Evidence of child being tied up.
- Medical evidence such as brain damage, skull fracture, subdural hematoma, internal injuries, signs of torture, evidence of poisoning, fractures or old unexplained fractures
An indicator of sexual abuse is a child, age 6 and under, who is exhibiting unusual
sexual knowledge and/or behavior, any child who states that they have been sexually
abused, or medical evidence. Sexual activity must be detailed and beyond normal
exploratory sexual curiosity. Unusual sexual activity might include but not be limited to: oral/genital contact, genital contact, and anal/genital contact. Normal sexual activity might include: masturbation, touching/fondling, and “show and tell” depending on the child’s age and development.
Another indicator that a child may have been sexually abused would be when a
child has aggressively initiated sexual contact with another child. An example of this
might be a nine-year old child who threatens or forces sexual contact with a younger
child, or when any child sexually exploits another child (e.g. a 14-year-old initiates
sexual contact with a mentally retarded 14 year old girl). Coercion, threats and force are key elements to justify intervention. These contacts could also occur between children of different development stages (i.e., 14-year-old initiating sexual contact with a 5 year old).
sexual knowledge and/or behavior, any child who states that they have been sexually
abused, or medical evidence. Sexual activity must be detailed and beyond normal
exploratory sexual curiosity. Unusual sexual activity might include but not be limited to: oral/genital contact, genital contact, and anal/genital contact. Normal sexual activity might include: masturbation, touching/fondling, and “show and tell” depending on the child’s age and development.
Another indicator that a child may have been sexually abused would be when a
child has aggressively initiated sexual contact with another child. An example of this
might be a nine-year old child who threatens or forces sexual contact with a younger
child, or when any child sexually exploits another child (e.g. a 14-year-old initiates
sexual contact with a mentally retarded 14 year old girl). Coercion, threats and force are key elements to justify intervention. These contacts could also occur between children of different development stages (i.e., 14-year-old initiating sexual contact with a 5 year old).
The role of Children Services is to protect children from abuse and neglect. It is
not the role of Children Services to provide placement services for children whom are not abused or neglect but who may have such problems as: delinquent or unruly behavior,serious emotional problems, mental retardation, developmental disabilities or physicalhandicaps. These children and their families should be referred to the appropriate agencies to assist with their specific special need.
Parents sometimes call and want to “turn over” their child to children services
because they can no longer handle them. These are typically parents of teenagers who
are tired of struggling with their unruly or defiant behavior. Children Services will not accept custody of these children unless there is reason to believe that the child has been abused or neglected. What Children Services will do is offer services and appropriate referrals in order to assist the family with keeping their child in their home.
not the role of Children Services to provide placement services for children whom are not abused or neglect but who may have such problems as: delinquent or unruly behavior,serious emotional problems, mental retardation, developmental disabilities or physicalhandicaps. These children and their families should be referred to the appropriate agencies to assist with their specific special need.
Parents sometimes call and want to “turn over” their child to children services
because they can no longer handle them. These are typically parents of teenagers who
are tired of struggling with their unruly or defiant behavior. Children Services will not accept custody of these children unless there is reason to believe that the child has been abused or neglected. What Children Services will do is offer services and appropriate referrals in order to assist the family with keeping their child in their home.
NO: Not as far as Children Services is concerned. If the child’s basic needs are being
met, living in a crowded home is not enough for an investigation to be initiated.
met, living in a crowded home is not enough for an investigation to be initiated.
No: Not generally, although, to some extent it does depend upon the age of the child.
BUT: If there is an infant and the information states that cockroaches have been seen in the crib, a report may be screened in. As in many cases, it depends upon the
information provided.
BUT: If there is an infant and the information states that cockroaches have been seen in the crib, a report may be screened in. As in many cases, it depends upon the
information provided.
NO: The exception would be if the child is making allegations of abuse or neglect and
has significant reason to believe that he/she would be in danger in the home.
has significant reason to believe that he/she would be in danger in the home.
Make the report anyway. Let Children Services make the decision on whether or not they will initiate an assessment. You will receive notification back on whether or not the referral was accepted as a report.
NO: Corporal punishment is not considered child abuse and it is not illegal.
BUT: If the child is a young child, I.E. two years or younger, the report may be taken if there are bruises or marks or if the information states that a young child was hit somewhere other than the buttocks. A young child being slapped or hit in the head, chest or stomach area is more of a concern due to vital organs. The same goes for any child who is struck with force in areas where vital organs exist.
However, depending on the situation, a report of marks on the buttocks of a child
maybe screened in due to many bruises at different stages of healing.
BUT: If the child is a young child, I.E. two years or younger, the report may be taken if there are bruises or marks or if the information states that a young child was hit somewhere other than the buttocks. A young child being slapped or hit in the head, chest or stomach area is more of a concern due to vital organs. The same goes for any child who is struck with force in areas where vital organs exist.
However, depending on the situation, a report of marks on the buttocks of a child
maybe screened in due to many bruises at different stages of healing.
NO: Lice is not something that Children Services will investigate in relation to child
abuse or neglect.
BUT: If the child has open sores which are untreated due to constant infestations of lice, a report may be accepted and investigated.
abuse or neglect.
BUT: If the child has open sores which are untreated due to constant infestations of lice, a report may be accepted and investigated.
NO: Children fight and siblings fighting is not considered child abuse.
BUT: It may be considered neglect if a parent is aware of the fighting and has not taken steps to stop it, has encouraged it, and the fighting has continued to the point that a sibling is seriously hurt.
BUT: It may be considered neglect if a parent is aware of the fighting and has not taken steps to stop it, has encouraged it, and the fighting has continued to the point that a sibling is seriously hurt.
NO: Parents have the right to chose whether or not to provide their children with medication, including psychotropic medications. The only time that it may be considered neglect is if the medication is for a life threatening illness.
NO: As disturbing as this situation is, we are not allowed to go on a “witch hunt.” Our District Field Office has told us that unless there is a specific allegation of child abuse or neglect, we can not investigate it.
NO: In most situations it is not Children Services’ role to facilitate change of custody of a child who is not abused or neglected. Children Services can provide a
“kinship affidavit” for grandparents to use to file for custody of grandchildren they are providing for. Children services may assist a non-custodial parent or relative get custody of a child if there is an allegation of abuse or neglect and the child must be removed from their own home and the non-custodial parent or relative are acting as a temporary home for the child while reunification efforts are made with the custodial parents.
“kinship affidavit” for grandparents to use to file for custody of grandchildren they are providing for. Children services may assist a non-custodial parent or relative get custody of a child if there is an allegation of abuse or neglect and the child must be removed from their own home and the non-custodial parent or relative are acting as a temporary home for the child while reunification efforts are made with the custodial parents.
ORC Cites
Section 2151.421 of the Ohio Revised Code discusses the issue of mandated reporters.
Section 2151.421 (b) lists mandated reporters as “any person who is an attorney; physician, including a hospital intern or resident; dentist; podiatrist; practitioner of a limited branch of medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the ORC; registered nurse; licensed practical nurse; visiting nurse; other health care professional; licensed psychologist; licensed school psychologist; speech pathologist or audiologist; coroner; administrator or employee of a child day-care center; administrator or employee of a residential camp or child day camp; administrator or employee of a certified child care agency or other public or private children services agency; school teacher; school employee; school authority; person engaged in social work or the practice of professional counseling; or a person rendering spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religion.
Section 2151.421 (b) lists mandated reporters as “any person who is an attorney; physician, including a hospital intern or resident; dentist; podiatrist; practitioner of a limited branch of medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the ORC; registered nurse; licensed practical nurse; visiting nurse; other health care professional; licensed psychologist; licensed school psychologist; speech pathologist or audiologist; coroner; administrator or employee of a child day-care center; administrator or employee of a residential camp or child day camp; administrator or employee of a certified child care agency or other public or private children services agency; school teacher; school employee; school authority; person engaged in social work or the practice of professional counseling; or a person rendering spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religion.
2151.421 (F)(1) states “the public children services agency shall investigate, within 24 hours, each report of known or suspected child abuse or child neglect and of a known or suspected threat of child abuse or child neglect that is referred to it under this section to determine the circumstances surrounding the injuries, abuse, neglect or the threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, the cause of the injuries, abuse, or neglect, and the person or persons responsible. The investigation shall be made in cooperation with the law enforcement agency in accordance with the memorandum of understanding prepared under division (J) of this section.
Section 2151.421 (A)(1)(a) states that “no person described in division (A)(1)(b) of this section who is acting in an official or professional capacity and knows or suspects that a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired child under twenty-one years of age has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child, shall fail to immediately report that knowledge or suspicion to the public children services agency or a municipal or county peace officer in the county in which the child resides or in which the abuse or neglect is occurring or has occurred.
2151.421(G)(1)(a) states that “Except as provided in division (H)(3) of this section,
anyone or any hospital, institution, school, health department, or agency participating in the making of reports under division (A) of this section, anyone or any hospital,institution, school, health department, or agency participation in good faith in the making or reports under division (B) of this section, and anyone participating in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from the reports, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability for injury, death, or loss of person or property that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as a result of the making of the reports or the participation in the judicial proceeding.
2) No person shall permit or encourage the unauthorized dissemination of the contents of any report made under this section.
2151.421(G)(1)(a) states that “Except as provided in division (H)(3) of this section,
anyone or any hospital, institution, school, health department, or agency participating in the making of reports under division (A) of this section, anyone or any hospital,institution, school, health department, or agency participation in good faith in the making or reports under division (B) of this section, and anyone participating in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from the reports, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability for injury, death, or loss of person or property that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as a result of the making of the reports or the participation in the judicial proceeding.
2) No person shall permit or encourage the unauthorized dissemination of the contents of any report made under this section.
(3) A person who knowingly makes or causes another person to make a false report under
division (B) of this section that alleges that any person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child is guilty of a violation of section 2921.14 of the ORC.
division (B) of this section that alleges that any person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child is guilty of a violation of section 2921.14 of the ORC.
