If detention is not warranted, which action should the intake officer take?

• A. Detain the child
• B. Place the child under supervision
• C. Issue a citation
• D. Release the child

Answer: (D)

When detention isn’t warranted, the appropriate action is to release the child to a parent or guardian with any necessary instructions. Detention is reserved for situations where there’s risk to the youth or others or a need to ensure the youth’s appearance in court; if none of those conditions exist, keeping the child in custody isn’t justified. Releasing helps keep the case in the least restrictive setting while still addressing accountability through guidance, warnings, or conditions as appropriate. Detaining would be unnecessarily restrictive, and options like formal supervision or issuing a citation aren’t required when there’s no basis for detention.