If any of the people reading this is an Elder too, please help me to do some research.
The only letter that I've found to all the bodies of Elders about this matter is dated Feb 15, 2002. In page 4, it has a section titled "Reminders regarding the handling of cases involving child abuse". It says mostly to "call the Legal Department for assistance". It says that child abuse is a crime, but it doesn't specify that the authorities should be called. It says: "Never suggest to anyone that they should not report the matters to the authorities".
The other letter that I have in my possession about this issue was sent to Spanish congregations, and it was dated March 14,1997. It doesn't say ANYTHING about reporting to the authorities. Just to use the "Special Blue" envelopes to inform the WT about anything similar in the congregation.
Check this link: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/TVNews/Nightly%20News/2007/11-Nov/reportinglaws.pdf. It is titled "Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect"
I think that the letter posted by the WT in their website is deceiving. As an Elder, I've never received specific directives to report child abuse to the authorities.
Any help will be appreciated.