A medical assistant in a pediatrician's office overhears a 7-year-old patient mention to another child in the waiting room that their parent often leaves them home alone for long hours. Which of the following actions aligns with mandatory reporting statutes?
Report the potential neglect to a supervising healthcare provider for further action.
Document the child’s statement in the medical record, but take no further action since no physical harm is evident.
Ignore the statement as it was made in an informal conversation and not during a medical examination.
Advise the parent it is unsafe to leave a child home alone and suggest alternative childcare options.