Section 388-148-1425. What are my reporting responsibilities when a child is missing from care?

(1) As soon as you have reason to believe a child in your care is missing as defined in WAC 388-148-1305 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) CA Intake, if the DSHS worker is not available or it is after normal business hours;

(c) The case manager, if the child is placed by a child placing agency program.

(2) You are required to contact local law enforcement within six hours if the child is missing from care. You must contact law enforcement immediately in any of the following circumstances:

(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 is 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 [phone] 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 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 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.

(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) Location the child left;

(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 or the child returns to your home, you must report that information to the child's DSHS worker.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.010, 74.15.030, 74.15.040, 74.15.090, 74.13.031, and P.L. 113-183. WSR 16-17-101, § 388-148-1425, filed 8/19/16, effective 9/19/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 13.34 and 74.13 RCW, RCW 74.15.030(2), 74.15.311(2), 74.13.032, 13.04.011, 74.13.020, 13.34.030, 74.13.031, 13.34.145, 74.15.311, 74.15.030, and 2013 c 105. WSR 15-01-069, § 388-148-1425, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.]

RCW 74.15.010, 74.15.030, 74.15.040, 74.15.090, 74.13.031, and P.L. 113-183. WSR 16-17-101, § 388-148-1425, filed 8/19/16, effective 9/19/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 13.34 and 74.13 RCW, RCW 74.15.030(2), 74.15.311(2), 74.13.032, 13.04.011, 74.13.020, 13.34.030, 74.13.031, 13.34.145, 74.15.311, 74.15.030, and 2013 c 105. WSR 15-01-069, § 388-148-1425, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.

Rules

388-148-1305,