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Report Child Abuse

The Michigan Child Protection Law (MCL 722.621-722.638) defines child abuse as “harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare that occurs through nonaccidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment, by a parent, a legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare or by a teacher, a teacher’s aide, or member of the clergy.”

Child neglect is defined as “harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare that occurs through the following:

      • negligent treatment, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care
      • placing a child at an unreasonable risk to the child’s health or welfare by failure of the parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare to intervene to eliminate that risk when the person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk.”

Child abuse and neglect can take many forms; for a list of potential abuse and or neglect indicators or warning signs, visit MDHHS and HelpGuide.

Anyone can report concerns of child abuse or neglect. If you have suspicion of child abuse or neglect, contact Centralized Intake at 855-444-3911 to make a report. Mandated Reporters may make reports online here. For emergency or immediate concerns, contact 9-1-1.

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