Parents Talk: If You Saw Abuse, Would You Report It?

An Ankeny couple was arrested last week and charged with allegedly locking their children in a basement.

and two counts of false imprisonment after their adopted children, a boy and girl, ages 14 and 13, claimed they were locked in a basement any time they were not in school for a three- to four-week period.

Authorities began investigating the couple after one of the children reported the offense to a teacher at school. Due to mandatory reporting laws, that teacher took the allegation to the Department of Human Services.

In Iowa, teachers, administrators, and police officers are all considered mandatory reporters. If they see or hear of abuse, they're required to report it.

If you weren't required by law to report it and you witnessed or heard about an incident of abuse, would you report it? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments below.