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Colorado child abuse hotline will not accept online tips

Posted at 4:58 AM, Aug 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-14 06:58:44-04

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's child abuse hotline will not change its policy to accept tips via social media, email or text.

The Colorado Sun reports the recommendation came from a statewide task force that determined the hotline is set up to take tips only via phone.

The review occurred after an internal memo a year ago raised concerns the child welfare division was not being responsive to texts, social media messages and emails about possible abuse and neglect.

Officials say an email account for submitting reports went unchecked for more than four years.

Officials determined five cases of possible neglect that were undiscovered until May needed immediate attention.

The task force recommended caseworkers receiving written tips should record a report via the phone line before forwarding the written information to the hotline center.
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Information from: The Colorado Sun, http://coloradosun.com