Final answer:
In Texas, childcare providers, assistants, and substitutes must report signs of child abuse as they are mandatory reporters, to protect vulnerable children like infants who are highly dependent on care.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Texas, all childcare providers, assistants, and substitutes are considered mandatory reporters. As mandatory reporters, they are legally obliged to report any signs of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Statistically, a significant proportion of child abuse reports come from professionals who are in a position to observe and recognize the signs of such malfeasance. This is crucial as infants, who are the most victimized population, are completely dependent on adults for their care. Recognizing and reporting abuse is not just a legal duty but an ethical one, as unreported abuse continues to have a major impact on families and society.