Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell presented mandated reporter training to teachers and professionals of the Kirbyville School District this afternoon.  The training is designed to educate school professionals on their statutorily mandated duty to report suspected child abuse and neglect, and the training covered why reporting suspected child abuse is important, the warning signs, and the nuts and bolts of when and how to hotline.

This training was put together by the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as a result of a recent appointment as special prosecuting attorney in a case involving school officials in another county and allegations surrounding a failure to report suspected child abuse.

“We are appreciative of Kirbyville’s staff in having us today to discuss mandated reporting and hopefully our presentation has helped clarify how this obligation affects teachers and school professionals,” said Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell.

This was the second in a series of mandated reporter trainings for school professionals in Taney County by the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. In April, Merrell will be presenting to the professionals at the Taneyville School District.

If you have reasonable cause to believe a child has been the victim of physical or sexual abuse, or neglect contact the Missouri Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Unit (CANHU) on their toll-free at 1-800-392-3738 or visit the online reporting portal at https://apps.dss.mo.gov/OnlineCanReporting/default.aspx.