 Report Child Abuse Any person who believes a child has been abused or neglected is legally obligated to report — failure to do so is a crime.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
For other reports in the state of Florida, contact the Abuse Hotline at:
Telephone: 1-800-962-2873
TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf): 1-800-453-5145
Report by Fax: 1-800-914-0004
Report Online: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report |
Excerpts from Florida Statutes 39.201 Mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; mandatory reports of death; central abuse hotline.— (1)(a) Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, as defined in this chapter, or that a child is in need of supervision and care and has no parent, legal custodian, or responsible adult relative immediately known and available to provide supervision and care shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner prescribed in subsection (2). (b) Any person who knows, or who has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused by an adult other than a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, as defined in this chapter, shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner prescribed in subsection (2). 39.203 Immunity from liability in cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.— (1)(a) Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by this chapter, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. 39.205 Penalties relating to reporting of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.— (1) A person who is required to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly and willfully prevents another person from doing so, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. A judge subject to discipline pursuant to s. 12, Art. V of the Florida Constitution shall not be subject to criminal prosecution when the information was received in the course of official duties. |
