However, if a mandated reporter has a reasonable suspicion due to the conversation with this adult that someone still under the age of 18 has been abused, it must be reported. A positive toxicology screen at the time an infant is delivered is not, in and of itself, a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse or neglect. However, any indication of maternal substance abuse shall lead to an assessment of the needs of the mother and child pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 123605. If other factors are present that indicate a risk to the child, a report must be made, but a report based on risk to a child that relates solely to the parent's inability to provide the child with regular care due to the parent's substance abuse shall be made only to county welfare departments and not to law enforcement agencies. SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby who seems perfectly healthy.
Victims are most often between the ages of one month and one year.
SIDS happens in families of all social, economic, and ethnic groups. It is a recognized cause of death and is only determined after completing an autopsy, a death scene investigation and a review of the case history of both the baby and family. What is known is that SIDS is not caused by child abuse and it should not be confused with child abuse. They have identified ways to reduce the incidents of SIDS through certain infant care practices, such as sleep position, breast feeding, and proper infant care.