Rule 5180:3-9-03 | Emergency removal of a child from substitute care placement.
(A) When does a public children services agency (PCSA) or private child placing agency (PCPA) conduct an emergency removal of a child from a substitute care setting?
(1) The PCSA or PCPA is to conduct an emergency removal of a child from a substitute care setting upon determining that:
(a) The child is in immediate danger of serious harm and is in need of protection from the child abuse or neglect; or
(b) The child's presence places another child in the setting in immediate danger of serious harm.
(2) The PCSA or PCPA is to conduct an emergency removal of a child from a substitute care setting within forty-eight hours of the child's substitute care setting receiving a written suspension order from the Ohio department of children and youth pursuant to section 5103.039 of the Revised Code.
(B) What notifications does a PCSA or PCPA holding custody of a child need to make after removing the child from a substitute care setting?
(1) The custodial PCSA or PCPA is to provide the following notifications both verbally and in writing no later than one calendar day after the removal:
(a) The notifications are to include the following information:
(i) The reason for emergency removal.
(ii) The PCSA or PCPA name, telephone number, address, and name of person to contact regarding the case.
(iii) The time and place of court hearings, as applicable.
(b) The notifications are to be provided to the following individuals:
(i) The child, if age and developmentally appropriate.
(ii) The child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
(iii) The substitute caregiver.
(iv) The guardian ad litem.
(2) The custodial PCSA or PCPA is to provide notification of the placement change to the school district in which the child was enrolled at the time of the removal from substitute care and the school district of responsibility designated by the court order no later than one business day after the removal, as applicable.
(C) What steps does the PCSA or PCPA take if it determines the need for an emergency removal of a child in the custody of another PCSA, PCPA, or children services agency (CSA)?
The PCSA or PCPA is to:
(1) Immediately contact the child's custodial PCSA, PCPA, or CSA and to notify the agency of the circumstances necessitating the emergency removal.
(2) Provide the custodial PCSA, PCPA, or CSA with the agency's name, telephone number, address, and name of the person to contact regarding the case.
(3) Provide all notifications pursuant to this paragraph in writing within three business days.
(D) Does the PCSA or PCPA holding custody of the child update the family case plan following the removal of a child from a substitute care setting?
Yes, the PCSA or PCPA is to complete a family case plan amendment in accordance with section 2151.412 of the Revised Code.
(E) What does the PCSA or PCPA document in the case record?
The PCSA or PCPA is to document all activities and notifications in accordance with this rule in the case record.
Last updated August 17, 2026 at 7:55 AM