§3203 Reporting Procedures

Summary

When a local police agency or local child protective services gets a first report from anyone about a child being abused in Indian country, or about actions likely to cause that abuse, the agency must immediately tell the right people at the other agency and later give them the written report. If the report involves an Indian child or the accused is Indian, and a quick check shows a possible crime, the local police (if they are not the FBI) must immediately tell the FBI. Within 36 hours the agency must write a report with available facts: the child’s name, address, age, sex, school and grade; the parents’ or caregivers’ names and addresses; the alleged offender’s name and address; who made the report; a short description of the child’s injuries, any past suspected abuse and the suspected date; and any other information important to the case. The agency must start an investigation right away, take steps to protect the child, and make a final written report when the inquiry is done. The person who made the report cannot be identified without their permission, except to a court or to tribal, state, or federal workers who need the information to do their jobs.