Child Protection

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The child protection unit responds to situations where children are alleged to be maltreated and helps to support families to safely care for their children.

To Report Suspected Abuse:

Weekdays / Normal Business Hours
Big Stone County Family Services
Phone: 1-320-839-2555
 
Weekends / After Hours
Ortonville Police Department or Big Stone County Sheriff’s Department
Phone: 1-320-839-3558
 
For emergencies call 911

 

When making a Child Protection Report in Big Stone County please keep in mind:

  • Oral reports should be made to Big Stone County Family Services or law enforcement whenever there are concerns that a child may be abused or neglected.

  • The reporter is immune from civil and criminal liability if they are acting in good faith. 

  • Reports can be made voluntarily by anyone and by certain people designated in statute as mandated reporters.  A mandated reporter who fails to make a report may be guilty of a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or a felony, depending on the severity of the abuse.

  • All mandated reporters will be asked to send a written report to Big Stone County Family Services within 72 hours of their verbal report, exclusive of weekends and holidays. 

For more information on mandated reporting, read:  Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect