In this state, CPS is only required to investigate if:
1. The reporter witnessed first hand something that was abusive (a simple swat on the rear is not abuse).
2. The reporter witnessed first hand the result of something that might have been abuse (e.g. a strange bruise in a place where kids don't normally get bruises).
3. The reporter heard first hand the child describe abuse that happened to them or that they witnessed.
4. There may be others that I am unaware of...but you get the idea.
In the case you mentioned, CPS certainly would and should investigate, as it falls into category #1. However, this is not a case where somebody filed a report for something silly (which is what I originally said was a myth). The fact that it was a ficticious report is something they decide during the investigation, not at the time of the report.
In this state, if you swat your kid on the behind in a store and somebody reports you, CPS will likely ignore the report. There are real abuse situations that they need to investigate. |
