'We Are All Obligated' to Report Child Abuse

Last week's arrest of two day care workers for failure to report child abuse has put the spotlight on those whose statutory duties include looking out for the welfare of children.

Sara Vasquez, 25, of Zolfo Springs and Linda Payne, 39, of Sebring, were arrested Wednesday and charged with failure to report suspected child abuse in connection with the death of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short, who died May 27, almost two months after she was allegedly severely beaten by Avon Park Police Officer James Parker. Payne owns A Better Choice day care center, and Vasquez is her employee.

Kaedyn's mother, Jenifer Short, 28, was also arrested and charged with failure to report abuse and child neglect causing great harm. Parker has been charged with first-degree murder. Investigators say the March 29 incident that led to Kaedyn's death was not the first time she was abused.

Members of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, when asked by law whose responsibility it is to report suspected child abuse, cited Florida Statute 39.201, which covers mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment or neglect.

In addition to day care workers, the lengthy list includes physicians, health or mental health professionals, practitioners who rely solely on spiritual means for healing, teachers or school personnel, social workers, professional child care workers, foster care workers, law enforcement officers or judges.

According to statute the people in the listed professions are "required to provide their names to hotline staff," when reporting allegations of child abuse, not just to report it.

"According to state statute, it states that in a sense all residents of Florida are mandated reporters," said Jeff Roth, director of the Children's Advocacy Center in Sebring. "We are all obligated to call in a suspicion of abuse."

Roth also said those suspecting abuse are "not there to validate that an abuse has occurred," just to report any suspicions.

This is how the statute is worded as well.

It states the following:

"Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent ... or other person responsible for the child's welfare ... shall report such knowledge or suspicion" to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

While the list of job titles cited in the statute are required to give their names, for Florida's citizens this is not required.

"By and large they can call it in anonymously," Roth said.

Information from the Florida Department of Children and Families Web site added that anyone making a report in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability.

There are different types of abuse that fall into certain categories, all which need to be reported. They are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

Neglect includes a failure to meet a child's physical, medical, educational or emotional needs.

More information defining those needs and different types of abuse can be found on the federal Child Welfare Web site at http://www.childwelfare.gov/can/defining/can.cfm

Roth said anyone with questions can contact the CAC at 402-6845 or stop by in person at their office near Sebring High School, at 1000 S. Highlands Ave. in Sebring.

"If someone stops by and needs to discuss a circumstance," they will he helped by the CAC, Roth said. "If we have to make an abuse call from the center then we can do that."

To file a report with the state of Florida, call 1-800-962-2873 (1-800-96-ABUSE) or go online to www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report and click on "complete a Florida Abuse Hotline report."