Question

Dr. Chi notices multiple bruises in various stages of healing along Samantha's upper arms, and she also has a cut above her left eye that should have been sutured. Dr. Chi asks Samantha about the wounds, and the 13-year-old offers no explanation for them but begins to cry. Samantha's father says that Samantha is clumsy and probably fell. Dr. Chi suspects that Samantha is being abused. Does Dr. Chi have a legal obligation to report it?

a) Yes. Any professional who suspects child abuse or neglect must report the case to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or a local law enforcement agency within 48 hours of when the professional first suspects that the child has been or may be abused or neglected.
b) No. Dr. Chi has no evidence of abuse other than injuries that any 13-year-old could get from normal activities and play, and she does not want to cause undue embarrassment for Samantha or hassle for her family.
c) No. Dr. Chi should wait until a follow-up appointment when Samantha's mother is present to get more information about the situation before deciding to report.
d) No. Samantha is an adolescent and only cases of suspected sexual abuse should be reported.

Answer 1

Yes, Dr. Chi is legally required to report the suspected abuse of Samantha to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or local law enforcement within 48 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dr. Chi does indeed have a legal obligation to report the suspected child abuse that she observes in Samantha. Under Texas law, and indeed in many jurisdictions, healthcare professionals like Dr. Chi who suspect child abuse or neglect must report the case to the appropriate authorities, which in this case would be the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or a local law enforcement agency.

This notification must happen within 48 hours of the professional first suspecting the abuse or neglect. Dr. Chi's observation of bruises in various stages of healing and the unattended cut make her legal responsibility clear despite the lack of an explicit explanation from Samantha. Due to the serious long-term effects of child abuse on physical, mental, and emotional health, immediate action is critical in protecting the well-being of the child and potentially averting further harm.