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[Gormy Cuss]

159. No, I 'm not the one reading it too conservatively.

To be clear: I used "and" not to claim that both conditions must be true but rather that neither was. Inartful phrasing, granted.

It's become apparent to me though that you're reading into the statute language that isn't there. Suspicion must be based on something reasonable in order for the mandatory reporting law to be in effect.

Nothing in the reporting law requires Jane Citizen to prove the allegation. That's a red herring you've been tossing in. The law only requires reasonableness -- knowledge of some presumably observable physical or mental condition that suggests abuse or neglect.
The professionals are the ones who have to prove it.

What the law does not state is that Joe Citizen is obligated to report a hunch that there may be neglect. That appears to be in the area where one may choose to report or not. So yes, barring signs that the 5 year old has been injured in some way by being left alone for an hour, I don't see how that is a situation where reporting is mandatory under Tenn. law.