Child Protective Services: Reporting Abuse or Neglect

Categories of Abuse and Neglect:

1. Abandonment
2. Emotional Abuse
3. Medical Neglect
4. Neglectful Supervision
5. Physical Abuse
6. Physical Neglect
7. Refusal to assume parental responsibility (RAPR); and
8. Sexual Abuse

Each of the eight categories of abuse and neglect has its own specific list of criteria that must be met to be placed in that category. The categorization takes place after the phone intake and is subject to change if new information becomes available after the investigation has begun.

Once the report is received and categorized based on the abuse or neglect reported, the intake will be assigned either Priority Level 1 (P1) or Priority Level 2 (P2). P1 reports require that a DFPS investigator contact the alleged victim within 24 hours. On the other hand, P2 reports require the investigator to make contact with the alleged victim within 72 hours. 

1. Allegations are made regarding an immediate threat to the health, safety, welfare, or life of the child;
2. Report of abuse or neglect that occurs within 12 months of another investigation of abuse or neglect; or
3. Report involving the death of a child.

If a report of alleged abuse or neglect does not meet the criteria of a P1 report, it is assigned as P2. 

This article, Child Protective Services: Reporting Abuse or Neglect, is the first of seven articles originally prepared by Legal Aid of Northwest Texas. The next articles are:

1. Child Protective Services: Investigation Phase
2. Child Protective Services: Family-Based Safety Services Phase
3. Child Protective Services: The Removal Process 
4. Child Protective Services: Conservatorship Phase 
5. Child Protective Services:  Final Hearing, Dismissal, Extension or Monitored Return
6. Child Protective Services: Termination of Parental Rights