Deputies shall initiate a report for all accidental injuries to how many years old or younger?

• A. 18
• B. 21
• C. 3
• D. 5

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is mandatory reporting for very young children. Deputies initiate a report whenever they encounter an accidental injury to a child five years old or younger. This lower age threshold reflects how vulnerable this group is and the likelihood that injuries could indicate abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions even when the caregiver claims it was an accident. By promptly documenting and involving child welfare and, if needed, medical staff, deputies help ensure the child’s safety and create a formal record for any future checks or interventions. The policy sets this specific threshold to standardize responses for the youngest children, while different criteria may apply for older youth.