What is the legal definition of abuse and neglect?
The law says that a child has been abused or neglected if his or her parent, guardian, or caretaker has done any of the following things: a. Caused very serious physical or emotional harm to the child or allowed someone else to harm the child; b. Created a risk that the child will be physically harmed, or allowed someone else to create a risk of harm to the child; c. Sexually abused the child or allowed someone else to sexually abuse the child; d. Harmed or created a risk of harm to the child by failing to take proper care of him or her; e. Used excessive physical punishment on the child; or f. Abandoned the child. 8. How does a judge determine whether a parent has abused or neglected his child? A court’s decision about whether a parent has abused or neglected his or her child depends on the individual facts of each case. The findings of child abuse and neglect are often based on physical injuries caused a child. Moreover, the findings can also be based on severe emotional harm. Even i
