Maxwell Children's Center

CHILD ABUSE REPORTING PROCEDURE
Teachers and child care workers are required by Minnesota State Law to report any suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. Any person may voluntarily report abuse or neglect.

What is considered abuse and neglect in Minnesota?

Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment:

It is usually failure of the child's caregiver to:

supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical, or mental health care, education or appropriate supervision.
protect the child from conditions or actions that endanger the child
take steps to ensure that a child is educated according to the law.

Exposing a child to certain drugs during pregnancy and causing emotional harm to a child may also be considered neglect.

Physical abuse is any physical injury or threat of harm or substantial injury, inflicted by a caregiver upon a child other than by accidental means. Physical abuse can range from minor bruises to severe internal injuries and death.

Mental injury is harm to the child's psychological capacity or emotional stability evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment of the child's functioning, is considered abuse in Minnesota.

Sexual abuse is the subjection of a child to a criminal sexual act or threatened act by a person responsible for the child's care or by a person who has a significant relationship to the child or is in a position of authority.

WHERE TO REPORT
If you know or suspect that a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. All reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring in a licensed facility should be made to the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division's Maltreatment Intake line at (651) 297-4123.

Reports regarding incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring within a family or in the community should be made to the Winona Department of Human Services at 457-6200 or Winona Police Department at 457-6368.

If your report does not involve possible abuse or neglect, but does involve possible violations of Minnesota Statutes Rules that govern the facility, you should call the Department of Human Services, Licensing Divisions at (651) 296-3971 .

WHAT TO REPORT
A report to any of the above agencies should contain enough information to identify the child involved, any persons responsible for the abuse or neglect (if known), and the nature and extent of the maltreatment and/or possible licensing violations. For reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility, the report should include any actions taken by the facility in response to the incident.

An oral report of suspected abuse or neglect made to one of the above agencies by a mandated reporter must be followed by a written report to the same agency within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays.