Which of the following can indicate a child may be in need of protective custody?

The ability to identify indicators that a child may be in need of protective custody is crucial for law enforcement and social service professionals. When considering the context of protective custody, reasonable suspicion plays a key role. Reasonable suspicion is a standard used to justify an officer's belief that a child may be at risk or may be experiencing abuse or neglect. It is a legal threshold that allows officers to investigate further when they notice behaviors or conditions that seem concerning.

This suspicion can stem from observations or reports that suggest a child is living in unsafe or abusive environments. While unexplained injuries and frequent absences from school are also worrisome indicators, they are typically more concrete forms of evidence of maltreatment. Reasonable suspicion, however, encompasses a broader array of warning signs and can prompt the necessary investigation or intervention to ensure the child's safety.

Disrespect towards adults, on the other hand, does not typically warrant the conclusion that a child is in need of protective custody, as it may arise from a variety of normal behavioral issues that do not reflect their safety or wellbeing. Thus, the concept of reasonable suspicion is essential, as it serves as a foundational criterion for taking appropriate action to protect children who may be vulnerable to harm.