Mandated Reporter with Questionable Information

Location: PA

Context: I work at a small company where everyone in our industry is a mandated reporter. There is an individual who works with us that has been the source of countless incidents where coworkers have reported to management that they feel harassed by this individual, but the individual has not faced any disciplinary action beyond verbal and written warnings. I’m seeking advice regarding 2 specific incidents that I feel go beyond internal disciplinary action and should be escalated as they involve potential crimes against children.

Incident 1: This occurred before my involvement with the company but has been discussed with me by every member of the company I have spoken with who was employed at the time. There was a 17yoM volunteer working with the company who this individual (decades older than the 17yo) had “taken under his wing.” The individual had taken to mentoring 17 after hours and texting/calling with 17 frequently. Coworkers report hearing the individual making flirtatious and suggestive comments to 17. This allegedly continued for months until 17 approached Coworker #1 and expressed that 17 felt uncomfortable with the situation. When the individual heard about this, the individual told Coworker #1 that there was a big misunderstanding and that he (the individual) felt overwhelmed and was going to take specific action to end his own life. Later that night, 17 asked Coworker #1 to come to 17’s house because 17 was afraid that the individual was going to go to the house and “do something.” While Coworker #1 was with 17 at 17’s residence, Coworker #1 got a Ring notification that showed the individual at Coworker #1’s house. Coworker #1 called the police and from what I can tell, the individual left the property without incident. When 17 approached management about the situation, he asked them if they wanted to hear the voicemails, which Coworker #1 states contain graphic statements from the individual about how he would like to see 17’s genitals and describe sexual fantasies. Management allegedly declined to hear the voicemails. 17 no longer spends time at the company, and to my knowledge, no action was taken against the individual.

Incident 2: The individual cornered me (by physically blocking my exit) after a staff meeting to confront me about issues I had raised (unrelated to the contents of this post). During this conversation, a discussion regarding being unable to prove who was responsible for messes around the office led the individual to make statements to me that I have concerns about. For context, the individual is very close friends with Manager #1. The individual stated “For example,” then paused before continuing, “and this is just an example, if I were watching Manager #1’s 7 year old and he said I did something, I’d have no way to defend myself. There would be no proof, and when it gets out, I would be ruined. Even if there was proof later that it didn’t happen, or even if he said he was lying, the damage would be done.” As far as I know, no one has ever suggested that this individual has done anything to those kids, but I know he babysits frequently for Manager #1. My gut was to go to Manager #1 and explain the conversation, but given that Manager #1 knows about Incident 1 and that Manager #1 becomes angry when complaints against the individual are raised, I’m concerned about retaliation.

Another complicating factor is that this individual has recently taken to trying to “mentor” me, as I’m relatively young and new to our work. He goes out of his way to offer excessive praise to me, bring me gifts, separate me from coworkers, and frequently tells me that my coworkers are manipulating me and I can’t trust anyone. Manager #2 stated to Coworker #2 when he told her that I feel unsafe that she will not do anything about it because I am “refusing to write it up.” I have never been given the opportunity to write anything up, and the matter hasn’t been discussed with me by management. I have to admit that I’m scared, both of losing my job and of whatever the individual’s intentions are. He’s volatile and I’m concerned that if I were to report anything, my safety and the safety of my family would be in jeopardy. I know that reporters’ identities are confidential, but I’m confident the individual would know it was me based on the information he disclosed. I don’t even know if I have enough information to put a CWIS report in for either Incident.

Obviously if I have enough to make a report, I’m legally mandated to do so. Do these Incidents seem to meet the criteria? Should I consider preemptively speaking to a lawyer in case I face retaliation? What kind of lawyer would that even be? And do I have any legal avenues to make sure I’m not in physical danger should I end up reporting the incidents? I’m way out of my depth and, frankly, I’m terrified every time I step into work.

Thank you for any help you can offer.