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Purpose: The purpose of this process is to identify the most serious cases of child abuse and neglect for immediate notification to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, under G.L. c. 119, section 51B, and to set out a procedure for such notification. The Department will immediately notify the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office of cases involving death or serious physical injury following the receipt of a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child in Worcester County filed pursuant to G.L. c. 119, s. 51A, in accordance with the procedures outlined below. Serious physical injury includes the following: 1. child has died 2. child has suffered: a) a severe burn b) a substantial impairment of any organ c) multiple or severe fractures of the bones and/or skull d) any other serious injury, including brain damage, retinal hemorrhage, or internal injuries e) an injury requiring the child to be placed on life-support systems The Department is not required to determine the identity of any perpetrator, or whether the serious physical injury was the result of a suspected criminal act or inflicted abuse. This notification will take place even when the 51A report has been screened out because no caretaker was involved. In addition, the Department may make immediate notification to the District Attorney’s Office for any case of any disclosure of serious physical abuse or sexual abuse involving physical evidence which may be destroyed, and in any other case, where, in the opinion of the Area Director, immediate notification should be made. PROCEDURE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY NOTIFICATION OF SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES 1. The decision as to whether a matter shall be reported immediately to the District Attorney shall be made by the Area Director or designee in accordance with the protocol. For cases involving a Hotline response, the decision to report immediately shall be made by the Area Director or her designee after telephone notification by the Hotline supervisor. 2. The person receiving a 51A report alleging abuse or neglect of a child resulting in serious injury will notify his/her supervisor. The supervisor will consult with the APM (Area Program Manager), as designee of the Area Director, to confirm whether an immediate notification to the District Attorney will be made. 3. The Department may notify the District Attorney’s Office immediately, whether or not the report is from a mandated or non mandated reporter, and whether or not the report is screened in for investigation. 4. The Area Director or APM as the Area Director’s designee shall contact the District Attorney’s Office. The notification shall be made by telephone or beeper. 5. The Department will provide the District Attorney’s Office a handwritten copy of the written 51A report as soon as possible, and, if an investigation has been conducted, a copy of the 51B investigation upon its completion. 6. When a referral is made under this protocol by telephone, the Department will follow up with a written DA referral in accordance with DSS policy and regulations. 7. Nothing in this protocol shall inhibit the Department from referring other appropriate cases to the District Attorney in accordance with Department’s regulations for mandatory and discretionary reporting to the District Attorney.  DA/DSS Roundtable | 6 Tragedies | | Return Home | About SBS | About the Campaign | What's New? | Great Links | |
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