Who must accompany a child during discharge or transfer when the child is in immediate danger, unless transported by parent or law enforcement?

• A. The child's caregiver(s) or the child placement staff
• B. The child's aunt
• C. The school's counselor
• D. The parent

Answer: (A)

When a child who is in immediate danger is being discharged or transferred, the person who must accompany the child is an authorized, agency-designated adult—the child’s caregiver(s) or the child placement staff. This ensures a trained, protective presence that can manage safety, execute the handoff to the next setting, and handle the necessary paperwork and logistics. They are specifically trained to assess risk, coordinate with the receiving party, and keep the child’s safety as the top priority.

If the child is being transported by a parent or by law enforcement, that transport is allowed to occur without the agency staff accompanying. Other individuals, like a relative not designated by the agency or a school counselor, aren’t automatically authorized to fulfill this safety handoff role.