This article will discuss child abuse and neglect, as it applies to child abuse investigations conducted by the Iowa Department of Human Services DHS. This article will discuss:.
Note that corporal punishment by the person responsible for the care of a child, i. Once the alleged abuse is reported, the reporter will work with a DHS worker to complete an initial report. DHS will first determine whether the allegation qualifies as abuse under chapter They will then notify the county attorney of the receipt of the report. If the report constitutes a child abuse allegation, the department commences may commence a child abuse assessment within twenty-four hours of receiving the report for most of the above.
If the allegation is a failure to provide adequate food, shelter, etc. The family assessment route does not end with a potential of being placed on an abuse registry. However, a DHS worker could switch the assessment to a child abuse assessment if they expect abuse.
The department notifies the parents within five working days of commencing the child abuse assessment, notifying them of the complaint or allegation. The person who made the complaint is kept confidential. Under circumstances where notification of the parent could harm the children, the department may seek approval of the Court to not notify the parent.
The department will work with the County Attorney and local law enforcement to protect the children. If the report does not allege child abuse, or if the report resulted in a family assessment, but a criminal act harming a child is alleged, the department will refer the matter to law enforcement. If a child is, or is at risk of becoming a sex trafficking victim, the department will report the matter to law enforcement and take custody of the child.
