R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-9
Upon the receipt of a report concerning the alleged abuse or neglect of a child, it shall be the duty of the law enforcement agency to investigate further and to report the results of the investigation to the department and/or family court; provided, however, if there is reasonable cause to believe that a crime has been committed, the law enforcement agency shall report the result of the investigation to the department of attorney general. The investigation shall include personal contact with the child named in the report and any other children in the same household. The interviewing of the child, or children, if they are of the mental capacity to be interviewed, shall take place in the absence of the person or persons responsible for the alleged neglect or abuse.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-9