Child Protective Services - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a report?

DCFS Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline

• 855-4LA-KIDS (855-452-5437)

If you suspect a Louisiana child is being abused, neglected, sexually abused or is a victim of juvenile sex trafficking, call toll-free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are confidential. Trained social workers determine if the reported information constitutes a report of child abuse or neglect or juvenile sex trafficking.

What is DCFS's responsibility in investigating abuse and neglect?

DCFS is mandated by law to receive and investigate certain reports of abuse and neglect of children and reports of abuse and neglect, including juvenile sex trafficking. Once the interview with the reporter or the review of the written report has been completed, the determination is made whether the information meets the criteria of a report of child abuse or neglect that DCFS is legally authorized to investigate. All reports of juvenile sex trafficking are forwarded to the Louisiana State Police, regardless of whether the report meets the criteria of abuse or neglect that DCFS is authorized to investigate. If the report of juvenile sex trafficking also meets the criteria of child abuse or neglect, DCFS will also investigate. (More about Juvenile Sex Trafficking)

The following three elements must be present for the information to be a report that DCFS is authorized to accept and investigate:

1. The case must involve a child, as defined in Children Code Article 603(5), who is under 18 years of age and who has not been emancipated either judicially or by marriage. The alleged victim must still be a minor at the time the report is made to DCFS; AND
   
   
2. The abuse or neglect of a child must have been someone DCFS is authorized to investigate, which includes:
   
   
   1. Caretakers (Children's Code Article 603)
      • Person legally obligated to provide for a child, including parent, tutor, guardian, custodian, foster parent; or any other person providing a residence for the child;
      • Licensed DCFS or LDH residential or treatment facility;
      • Does not include correctional facilities, detention facilities, nonresidential schools, or unlicensed residential or child care providers.
   2. Others DCFS is responsible for investigating (Children’s Code Article 610) 
      • A person who maintains an interpersonal dating relationship with the parent or caretaker;
      • A person living in the same residence as the parent, caretaker, and/or child;
      • Indeterminable by the mandatory reporter, but the reporter suspects that the abuse occurred at the child's residence;
      • Early Learning Centers, Registered Family child day care homes.
   3. Alleged Child on Child Sexual Abuse
      1. Child on Child Sexual Abuse that occurs in the home when the parent or caretaker is not alleged to have culpability;
      2. Child on Child Sexual Abuse reported by Law Enforcement to DCFS when it occurs in a school setting.

Louisiana Law also requires ANYONE with knowledge of a murder, rape, or child sexual abuse to report to Law Enforcement.

1. The alleged victim must have been suspected of being abused or neglected as defined in Children's Code Article 603.

What are "abuse" and "neglect"?

• Abuse means any one of the following acts which seriously endanger the physical, mental, or emotional health and safety of the child:
  • The infliction, attempted infliction, or, as a result of inadequate supervision, the allowance of the infliction or attempted infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child by a parent or any other person.
  • The exploitation or overwork of a child by a parent or any other person, including but not limited to commercial sexual exploitation of the child.
  • The involvement of the child in any sexual act with a parent or any other person, or the aiding or toleration by the parent, caretaker, or any other person of the child's involvement in any of the following:
    • Any sexual act with any other person.
    • Pornographic displays.
    • Any sexual activity constituting a crime under the laws of this state.
  • A coerced abortion conducted upon a child.
  • Female genital mutilation as defined by La. R.S. 14:43.4.
• Neglect means the refusal or unreasonable failure of a parent or caretaker to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment, or counseling for any injury, illness, or condition of the child, as a result of which the child's physical, mental, or emotional health and safety is substantially threatened or impaired. Neglect includes prenatal neglect. Consistent with Children's Code Article 606(B), the inability of a parent or caretaker to provide for a child due to inadequate financial resources shall not, for that reason alone, be considered neglect. Whenever, in lieu of medical care, a child is being provided treatment in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religious method of healing which has a reasonable, proven record of success, the child shall not, for that reason alone, be considered to be neglected or maltreated. However, nothing herein shall prohibit the court from ordering medical services for the child when there is a substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.

What happens if DCFS receives a report of abuse or neglect that DCFS does not have the authority to investigate?

If the report meets the criteria of abuse or neglect, but DCFS does not have authority to investigate, DCFS must refer those cases to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 24 hours. 

The Department also shall report all cases of child death which involve suspicion of abuse or neglect as a contributing factor in the child's death to the local and state law enforcement agencies, the office of the district attorney, and the coroner.

Additionally, reports involving a felony-grade crime against a child shall be promptly communicated to the appropriate law enforcement authorities

Suspected abuse or neglect by a school employee must be reported to local or state law enforcement.