Reporting Abuse
Reporting Abuse
Wayne County Children Services
We respond to emergency child abuse and neglect reports 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Business Hours
During business hours, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), you can call us directly at:
• 330‑345‑5340
• 1‑855‑642‑4453 (855‑O‑H‑CHILD)
Outside of Business Hours or in an Emergency
If a child is in imminent danger after business hours, on holidays, or when Children Services is closed due to weather conditions, call 9‑1‑1.
A law enforcement officer will contact Children Services’ on‑call staff.
TYPES OF CHILD MALTREATMENT
Physical Abuse
May be the result of excessive or out of control discipline from a parent or caregiver. It may appear as bruises, marks or injuries inflicted by other than accidental means.
Sexual Abuse
May involve any sexual activity between an adult and a child. This can be for the gratification of the perpetrator, a third party, or for the exploitation of the child. Over 90% of cases reported involved the parent, a relative, or other known adult as the perpetrator.
Emotional Abuse
Chronic and consistent attitude or acts which interfere with the psychological and social development of a child. A child who is repeatedly belittled, ignored, or blamed for the family’s problems may be emotionally abused.
Neglect
Inadequate or dangerous child-rearing practices. The parent or caregiver fails to act on the behalf of a child. A child does not receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, supervision, or education may be neglected. It may not produce visible signs and usually occurs over time.
Dependency
A child that may be homeless, destitute or without adequate parental care and support through no fault of the child’s parent or caregiver. The child may lack adequate care because of a mental or physical condition. The child may also be in danger of being abused or neglected because they live in a household in which a sibling or other child who resides there is abused, neglected or dependent.
MANDATED REPORTERS
Per ORC 2151-421, a mandated reporter is any person who is required to report alleged or known child abuse or neglect of a child under 18 or a physically impaired child under 21. Individuals are required by state statutes to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities. Mandated reporters typically include professionals, such as educators and other school personnel, health care and mental health professionals, social workers, childcare providers, and law enforcement officers.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Child abuse and neglect cases are confidential by law. The law does not allow WCCSB to provide the name of the person who made the report of child abuse or neglect. Reporter information will only be released to authorized parties (including but not limited to ODJFS staff, law enforcement, county prosecutor and PSCA staff).