Washington Administrative Code
Title 388 - Social and Health Services, Department of
CHILD CARE AGENCIES/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Chapter 388-147 - Licensing requirements for child placing agency and adoption services
FIRE SAFETY
Managing Records and Reporting
Section 388-147-1545 - What are my reporting responsibilities when a child is missing from care?

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 388-147-1545

Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024

(1) As soon as you or your staff have reason to believe a child in your care is missing as defined in WAC 388-147-1305 or has refused to return to or remain in your care, or whose whereabouts are otherwise unknown, you are required to notify the following:

(a) The child's assigned DSHS worker, as appropriate;

(b) Children's administration intake, if the DSHS worker is not available or it is after normal business hours.

(2) You are required to contact local law enforcement within six hours if the child is missing. However, if one or more of the following factors are present, you must contact law enforcement immediately:

(a) The child is believed to have been taken from placement. This means the child's whereabouts are unknown, and it is believed that the child has been concealed, detained or removed by another person;

(b) The child is believed to have been lured from placement or has left placement under circumstances that indicate the child may be at risk of physical or sexual assault or exploitation;

(c) The child is age thirteen or younger;

(d) The child has one or more physical or mental health conditions that if not treated daily, will place the child at severe risk;

(e) The child is pregnant or parenting and the infant/child is believed to be with him or her;

(f) The child has severe emotional problems (e.g., suicidal thoughts) that if not treated, will place the child at severe risk;

(g) The child has an intellectual and developmental disability that impairs the child's ability to care for him/herself;

(h) The child has a serious alcohol and/or substance abuse problem; or

(i) The child is at risk due to circumstances unique to that child.

(3) After contacting local law enforcement, you must also contact the national center for missing and exploited children at 1 (800) 843-5678 and report the child missing from care.

(4) If the child leaves school or has an unauthorized absence from school, you should consult with the child's DSHS worker to assess the situation and determine when you should call law enforcement. If any of the factors listed in subsections (2)(a) through (i) of this section are present, you and the child's DSHS worker may decide it is appropriate to delay notification to law enforcement for up to four hours after the end of the school day to give the child the opportunity to return on their own.

(5) You must provide the following information to law enforcement and to the child's DSHS worker when making a missing child report, if available:

(a) When the child left;

(b) The last known location of the child;

(c) What the child was wearing;

(d) Any known behaviors or interactions that may have caused the child's departure;

(e) Possible places where the child may go;

(f) Special physical or mental health conditions or medications that affect the child's safety;

(g) Known companions who may be aware or involved in the child's absence;

(h) Other professionals, relatives, significant adults or peers who may know where the child would go; and

(i) Recent photo of the child.

(6) You must ask law enforcement for the missing person report number and provide it to the child's DSHS worker or staff.

(7) At any time after making an initial report you learn of a missing child's whereabouts, you must report that information to the child's DSHS worker.

(8) If a child is returned to your care, it is your responsibility to cancel the run report and notify all persons you have informed of the child's run.

(9) Youth participating in the extended foster care (EFC) program are exempt from these requirements. You must follow all other reporting requirements as defined in WAC 388-147-1540.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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