A 7-year-old child attends a walk-in clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, accompanied by their mother, presenting with a persistent cough and low-grade fever for several days. During the physical examination, the physician observes multiple bruises in various stages of healing, inconsistently distributed across the child's torso and upper arms, which appear inconsistent with a typical accidental fall. The child appears unusually quiet and avoids eye contact when asked about the bruises. The mother offers vague and somewhat contradictory explanations for the marks, attributing them to "clumsiness" or "playing rough." The physician's assessment of the child's general health reveals no other immediate acute concerns related to the respiratory symptoms. What is the most appropriate next step for the physician in this situation, considering medical-legal and ethical obligations?