Monday morning, a press availability was hosted by Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller. She was joined by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
The panelists encouraged families to protect children from online dangers
Todd Bartley, of talkwilliamsport.com was able to ask the following question of the panelists:
“…is there ever a time to not mandate report and what happens if somebody fails to mandate report?”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro offered the following response:
“I echo everything the Secretary (Miller) just said. I would just add. There are no higher priorities than protecting the most vulnerable in our state and children often times are the most vulnerable and when we find folks who are mandated reporters who are covering up abuse, we will hold them accountable.
We’ve charged many people, with, for example endangering the welfare of children.
We will not hesitate to charge mandated reporters who think they can cover-up abuse going on in a particular situation; whether a school, a place of worship, a school bus, whatever the case may be. And I think our record speaks for itself on that.”
Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller as well as Jonathan Rubin, Deputy Secretary from the PA Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth, and Families also offered comments which are being transcribed for publication and this story will be updated to reflect them upon completion.
