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Child Protective Services

Available 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year
Mandated Reporter

In general, mandated reporters are individuals who work with children in a professional capacity. Any person who has reasonable belief that a child may be abused or neglected should report their concerns to Children Services. All reporters’ identities are confidential and are not released. Any person making a report in good faith is immune from any criminal or civil liability.

How to Report

The report should be made to the Public Children Services Agency in the county where the child resides.
You can contact Mahoning County Children Services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 330.941.8888. If you are calling during business hours (Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM) please ask for an Intake Screener by selecting option 1. During non-business hours, you will be automatically forwarded to the Help Network. You may also make a report in person at 222 Federal Plaza West (fourth floor), Youngstown, OH 44503.

To make a report of child abuse or neglect, please have the following information ready:

  • The name and date of birth or age of the child, name of the parent or legal guardian of the child, as well as the address and phone number of the child or the child’s legal guardian.
  • The nature and extent of the child’s known or suspected injuries, abuse, or neglect or of the known or suspected threat of injury, abuse, or neglect.
  • Any other information that might be helpful in establishing the cause of the known or suspected injury, abuse or neglect or of the known or suspected threat of injury, abuse, or neglect.

If you require interpreter services, this is made available upon request.

For emergencies requiring immediate attention, please call 911 or the police department that is local to the child you are concerned about.

Who Should Report

Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected should make a referral to their local Children Services Agency. Some professionals are mandated by law to make these referrals.

Signs for Abuse and Neglect

Physical Abuse: is defined as any physical injury or death inflicted other than by accidental means; an injury which is at variance with medical evidence and the history given; severe corporal punishment; discipline or restraint which is excessive and creates serious physical and/or emotional harm to the child.

Sexual Abuse: Is an act against the child as defined in Chapter 2907 of the ORC, where such activity would constitute an offense under that chapter, including:

  • Rape
  • Sexual battery
  • Corruption of a minor
  • Gross sexual imposition
  • Felonious sexual penetration
  • Compelling prostitution
  • Pandering obscenity involving a minor
  • Importuning – definition: to press or urge with troublesome persistence, such as to solicit, request, command or intentionally aid another person to engage in conduct which constitutes an offense.

Neglect: is defined as the failure of a parent or guardian(s) to provide for the necessary sustenance, education or medical needs of a child (this can be due to refusal to provide, faults, habits or abandonment on the part of the parent or guardian). Neglect includes, but is not limited to:

  • Inadequate housing (conditions so dangerous that there is a threat of injury or health hazard if there is no agency intervention).
  • Supervision based on the impact on children due to being left alone/unsupervised.
  • Medical Neglect (parents refusing treatment which places a child at risk; attempting to remove child against medical advice; failing to take a child for treatment of a diagnosed condition placing a child at risk; and failing to have a mental condition treated – if that mental condition is a threat to the child’s life).
  • Inadequate clothing or food (parents failing to provide clothing that is weather appropriate or food within the limits of the parent’s resources). Inadequate nutrition with identifiable physical results, such as failure to thrive.
  • Failure to provide for appropriate hygiene of child, resulting in a medical problem.