Greetings, I was curious as to how any of you handle the matter of being mandated reporters. Here's what's going on:

A 16-year-old ward of the state (both parents dead)showed up on our porch late one Saturday night with a sprained ankle. We took care of the injury and allowed him to stay with us until Monday morning, using the interim to encourage him in the Lord and talk to him about where he's heading in life. The boy is simply looking to be part of a family, but DFS keeps placing him in group homes. He re-entered the system and since has run from 3 more homes. We couldn't let him stay with us because of the legal ramifications. The caseworker told us it would take six or more weeks to get licensed as foster parents so this boy could legally stay in our home. He showed up on our porch again yesterday. DFS sent the police to pick him up down the street this afternoon. Now, he's supposedly going to a boot camp.

The foster care division called us shortly after the arrest. Turns out, if the caseworker had communicated properly with us, there was a faster "kinship" license, basically allowing the boy to stay with us because there was a previous relationship. He could have stayed here after that first weekend (by the way, they left him with us an extra two days after we called because of a state holiday even though we weren't licensed) and avoided all the extra trauma of the past two months (yes, all that happened since February).

I guess my question about dealings with being a mandated reporter stem from watching what has happened to this young man because we fulfilled our "obligation" (with his knowledge that we had to do that). Right now I'm questioning what I will do the next time around. I'm torn by the "obeying the law of the land" and a desire to protect these young people from the drama this boy just went through. Any advice?

God bless, Scott

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

Answers

That's a "sticky wicket" you've found yourself with Scott......I don't envy you.

My advise is to go STRICTLY by the legal book here. The world of Child Protective Services is a very nasty one. These people are typically governed by Liberal Do-gooders that would just as soon put you in jail as look at you - and they have gotten the laws written & on the books to allow them to do it.

It is unfortunate for the child in this case, but you can't help him if you're in the "pokey" on trumped-up charges. And these types of charges, in many states, stick with you for Life - even if proven false or dropped altogether.

So keep praying about it, God will find a way!

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2002

As one who has had to deal with CPS, I agree with Mark. Go directly and specifically by the book. And I add this, say nothing more than you are asked. Everything you say is scrutinized to find fault.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2002