63.2-1510 - Complaints by others of certain injuries to children. - Virginia Statutes

§ 63.2-1510. Complaints by others of certain injuries to children.

Any person who suspects that a child is an abused or neglected child may makea complaint concerning such child, except as hereinafter provided, to thelocal department of the county or city wherein the child resides or whereinthe abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred or to the Department'stoll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. If an employee of the localdepartment is suspected of abusing or neglecting a child, the complaint shallbe made to the court of the county or city where the abuse or neglect wasdiscovered. Upon receipt of such a report by the court, the judge shallassign the report to a local department that is not the employer of thesuspected employee for investigation or family assessment; or, if the judgebelieves that no local department in a reasonable geographic distance can beimpartial in responding to the reported case, the judge shall assign thereport to the court service unit of his court for evaluation. The judge mayconsult with the Department in selecting a local department to respond to thereport or complaint. Such a complaint may be oral or in writing and shalldisclose all information which is the basis for the suspicion of abuse orneglect of the child.

(1975, c. 341, § 63.1-248.4; 1976, c. 348; 1994, c. 840; 2000, c. 500; 2002,c. 747.)