(A)       A public children services agency (PCSA) shall conduct a deserted child assessment/investigation if all of the following apply to the child subject of the report:

(1)       The child is fewer than thirty-one days old.

(2)       The child was voluntarily left by the child's parent in the care of an emergency medical service worker, peace officer, or hospital employee by the child's parent(s).

(3)       The child was left and the child's parent(s) did not express an intention to return for the child.

(B)       The PCSA shall initiate the screened in report by attempting face-to-face contact with the child subject of the report within one hour from the time the referral was screened in as a report.

(C)       The PCSA shall contact the individual who originally took possession of the child and obtain:

(1)       The date and time the child subject of the report was left with the individual.

(2)       All information regarding the child left by the parent(s).

(3)       The JFS 01672 "Voluntary Medical History For Safe Havens" (rev. 3/2009) form, if completed by the child's parent(s).

(4)       All clothing and articles left with the child.

(D)       The PCSA shall accept emergency temporary custody of the child subject of the report.

(E)       The PCSA shall arrange for the child subject of the report to be examined by a physician within one hour of face-to-face contact with the child subject of the report.

(1)       The examination shall assess the health and well being of the child and indicators of maltreatment.

(2)       If the child subject of the report is not left at a hospital, the PCSA shall transport, or arrange for transportation of the child to the nearest appropriate hospital emergency department.

(F)       The PCSA shall obtain the medical examination report from the physician.

(G)       The PCSA shall screen in a report of child abuse and/or neglect if any of the following occur during the assessment/investigation of a deserted child:

(1)       The child's condition reasonably indicates abuse and/or neglect, including the following:.

(a)       An infant identified as affected by legal or illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal or postnatal substance exposure pursuant to rule 5101:2-1-01 of the Administrative Code.

(b)       An infant diagnosed with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

(2)       The PCSA determines that someone other than the parent delivered the child subject of the report to the care of an emergency medical service worker, peace officer, or hospital employee.

(3)       The child subject of the report is determined to be more than thirty days old at the time the child was delivered to the care of an emergency medical service worker, peace officer, or hospital employee.

(H)       The PCSA shall place the child subject of the report in substitute care pursuant to rule 5101:2-42-04 of the Administrative Code and provide a copy of the medical examination report to the caregiver.

(I)         The PCSA shall contact the following agencies and determine if a child matching the description of the child subject of the report has been reported missing:

(1)       Local law enforcement.

(2)       Ohio's missing children's information clearinghouse (http://www.mcc.ag.state.oh.us/).

(3)       National center for missing and exploited children (http://www.missingkids.com/).

(J)        The PCSA shall complete activities to obtain a birth certificate and a social security card for the child subject of the report.

(K)       The PCSA shall complete the deserted child assessment/investigation no later than forty-five days from the date the referral was screened in as a report.

(L)       The assessment/investigation documentation and any materials obtained as a result of the assessment/investigation shall be maintained in the case record.

(M)      The assessment/investigation documentation and any materials obtained as a result of the assessment/investigation shall be maintained in the case record.

Effective: 6/17/2018

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 5/24/2017 and 06/17/2023

Certification: CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 05/17/2018

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 2151.421, 5153.16, 5153.166

Rule Amplifies: 5153.16, 2151.3519, 2151.421

Prior Effective Dates: 12/1/01, 3/01/06, 10/01/09, 3/1/14