by soulhunter on Sun Nov 06, 2011 12:52 pm
Under Pa Law
§ 6311. Persons required to report suspected child abuse.
(a) General rule.--A person who, in the course of
employment, occupation or practice of a profession, comes into
contact with children shall report or cause a report to be made
in accordance with section 6313 (relating to reporting
procedure) when the person has reasonable cause to suspect, on
the basis of medical, professional or other training and
experience, that a child under the care, supervision, guidance
or training of that person or of an agency, institution,
organization or other entity with which that person is
affiliated is a victim of child abuse, including child abuse by
an individual who is not a perpetrator.
Not 100% that Joe Pa would be covered under a mandatory reporter law here, as i don't know if a College Coach would be considered to come into contact with childeren in the course of his employement.
But assuming Joe Pa is covered under section 6311, he did everything he was required to under the law.
(c) Staff members of institutions, etc.--Whenever a person
is required to report under subsection (b) in the capacity as a
member of the staff of a medical or other public or private
institution, school, facility or agency, that person shall
immediately notify the person in charge of the institution,
school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person
in charge. Upon notification, the person in charge or the
designated agent, if any, shall assume the responsibility and
have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made
in accordance with section 6313.
From my understanding, Joe Pa did report his concerns to his boss. It was then his bosses legal obligation to file the appropriate reports to the authorities.
Hence to answer the question as to why there was no criminal Indictment of Joe Pa, its most likely because he didn't break any laws. Finally, a failure to report under PA law is only a misdemeanor of the third degree, a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $5,000, or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both