What is the reporting requirement for the unauthorized absence of a child aged 6 to 12 years?

• A. To Licensing, Parents & Law Enforcement: Within 2 hours of determining the child is not on the premises, if the child is still missing
• B. To Law Enforcement immediately; To Licensing and Parents within 24 hours
• C. To Licensing only; Within 6 hours
• D. To Parents only; Within 24 hours

Answer: (A)

When a child between 6 and 12 years old goes missing from a licensed child-placing agency, there is an urgent, multi-party reporting requirement. Once staff determine the child is not on the premises, you must notify all three: licensing, the child’s parents, and law enforcement within two hours. This rapid, coordinated reporting helps initiate searches quickly, ensures regulatory oversight, and keeps the guardians informed so safety actions can be taken promptly.

Reporting to only one party or delaying notification beyond two hours would slow the response and potentially compromise the child’s safety, which is why the combined two-hour window to all three parties is the correct standard.