Statutes | Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Law Title 5, Chapter 3 ยง 1 | 2018
Pursuant to the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C. §§ 3201&ndash3211, and 18 U.S.C. § 1169, the following procedures shall be followed for reporting Child Abuse or Neglect.
a. Whenever the Tribal Police or CPS receive an initial report or referral from any person of the neglect or abuse of a Child or actions which would reasonably be expected to result in the neglect or abuse of a Child , the receiving agency shall:
(1) immediately notify the appropriate officials of the other agency and the tribal prosecutor of such report and information and,
(2) submit a copy of the written preliminary report required under subsection (c) of this Section to such agency and office.
b. Where an initial report or referral of abuse involves an Indian Child or where the alleged abuser is an Indian and the preliminary report indicates that a criminal violation has occurred, the Tribal Police shall immediately report such occurrence to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
c. Within thirty-six (36) hours after receiving an initial report or referral of Child neglect or abuse, the receiving agency shall prepare a written preliminary report which shall include, if available: the name, address, age, and sex of the Child who is the subject of the report the grade and the school in which the Child is currently enrolled the name and address of the Child's parents or other person responsible for the Child's care the name and address of the alleged offender the name and address of the person who made the report to the agency a brief narrative as to the nature and extent of the Child's condition or injuries, including any previously known or suspected neglect or abuse of the Child or the Child's siblings and the date of the suspected neglect or abuse and, any other information the agency or the person who made the report to the agency believes to be important to the investigation and disposition of the alleged neglect or abuse.
d. Upon receipt of a report alleging neglect or abuse, CPS, in conjunction with the Tribal Police, shall:
(1) when deemed necessary by CPS, convene a Multi&ndashDisciplinary Team ("MDT"), comprised of personnel with experience with incidents of Child Neglect, Abuse, and family violence to provide advice and consultation in these matters
(2) take immediate and appropriate steps to secure the safety and well-being of the Child or Children involved
(3) provide appropriate services to the family and,
(4) complete the investigation and prepare a written final report on such allegation within fifteen (15) business days.
e. If the investigation produces evidence that a Child has been neglected or abused by a person other than the parent or guardian/custodian, the Tribal Police or CPS shall immediately notify the Child's parent or other person responsible for the Child's care, and any other appropriate law enforcement authority having jurisdiction over the suspected neglect or abuse. If the investigation produces evidence that a Child has been abused by an employee of the Tribe, the Tribal Police or CPS shall notify the director of the appropriate tribal department of such evidence, and the director may suspend such employee, with or without pay, or terminate the employee. The employee shall be entitled to pursue any employment rights provided under the Tribe's personnel policies and procedures.
f. CPS, in conjunction with the Tribal Police, shall develop protocols for the reporting, screening, investigation, and treatment of Child neglect and abuse, and to clarify roles and responsibilities of the tribal departments and agencies involved in Child welfare matters.