UNIT II - ABUSED, NEGLECTED, OR DEPENDENT MINORS (ARTICLE II, 705 ILCS 405/2)
Remember, Law Enforcement Officers are MANDATED REPORTERS, per the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, 325 ILCS 5/4. Whenever a Law Enforcement Officer investigates or suspects any type of abuse or neglect to a minor(s), the Officer is required by law (325 ILCS 5/4) to notify the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services of this abuse or neglect at the 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) phone number or the local DCFS office. Failure to do so is considered a Class A Misdemeanor.
Per the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, there are many other professional persons, besides Law Enforcement Officers, who are also required to notify DCFS if they suspect abuse or neglect of a child. Some of these include physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurses, social workers, school teachers, and counselors.
A minor shall not be considered abused for the sole reason that the minor has been relinquished in accordance with the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act.
