For an officer to take a child into protective custody, what must they have?

For an officer to take a child into protective custody, they must have reasonable suspicion that the child is in imminent danger or has been subjected to abuse or neglect. Reasonable suspicion is a standard used in law enforcement that allows officers to act to protect individuals when there are specific, articulable facts that suggest a threat to the child's safety. This standard is intentionally lower than probable cause but still requires that the officer has a reasonable basis for their concerns about the child's welfare.

In many cases, officers may encounter situations where they need to intervene quickly to ensure the safety of a child, and having reasonable suspicion allows them to do so without having to meet the higher burden of proof that may be necessary for arresting an adult or obtaining a warrant. This principle ensures that the safety of vulnerable individuals, such as children, is prioritized and that they can be removed from harmful situations promptly.