Overview

Child Protection workers work with families to prevent child maltreatment or, in some cases, work with law enforcement and the courts to remove minor children from the home if they are being harmed.

Mandatory Reporters

Anyone may voluntarily report suspected child abuse or neglect. Persons who work with children or families are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect and are called mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporters include people who work with children in health care, social services, education, mental health, child care, law enforcement, corrections settings, and more.

If you are a mandatory reporter and you fail to report suspected abuse or neglect, there may be criminal consequences. Child abuse can come in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect. If you know or suspect that a child is in immediate danger (such as a recent sexual assault or a serious physical assault) or the child is abandoned, contact your local law enforcement agency right away.

The County’s child protection services may also get involved if there is suspected educational neglect. Because children are required to attend school under state law, children ages 5 to 11 are permitted seven unexcused absences in a school year before child protection may decide to get involved.

Order for Protection

It is also possible for a parent or guardian to obtain an Order for Protection (OFP) on behalf of a minor child against an abusing family member or someone who currently resides, or has resided in the past, with the child. In order to get such an Order for Protection, the court must find that an act of domestic abuse has been committed against the child by the person against whom the Order for Protection is sought. An act of domestic abuse requires a showing of either present harm to the child, or an intention to do present harm to the child.

The need to protect your child is paramount—our Minnesota divorce attorneys dedicate themselves to ensuring that you and your children’s best interests are represented. Because accusations of maltreatment or abuse of a child are so challenging, it is important to turn to an experienced attorney for representation.

At Clausen & Hassan, our lawyers pride themselves on how they serve our clients. Please reach out today for your free consultation—you can call our office at (651) 647-0087 or contact us by email at info@clausen-hassan.com.