Neglect / Abuse

The Family Court Act of the state of New York defines child neglect or abuse as the act, or failure to act, by any parent or caretaker that results in the death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation of a child under the age of 18.

Learn More

Child Neglect

Neglect is defined as the failure of a parent or caretaker to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child’s health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm. Some examples include:

  • Failure to support a child’s educational needs either by keeping a child home from school for unexcused reasons or not following up with a child’s educational needs despite the school’s outreach to the parent or caretaker.
  • Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, or shelter.
  • Failure to provide medical or mental health care (including drug abuse services).
  • Leaving a child alone who is not developmentally able to be left alone without adequate supervision.
  • Leaving a child with someone without establishing a plan for the provision of food, clothing, education, or medical care.
  • Leaving a child with someone that does not have the ability to appropriately supervise or protect the child.
  • Subjecting a child to humiliation, fear, verbal terror, or extreme criticism.
  • Using corporal punishment beyond what is objectionably reasonable and results in the physical or emotional harm of a child.
  • Exposing a child to family violence.
  • Parent or caretaker using drugs to the point of not being able to adequately take care of a child.
  • Keeping, manufacturing, or selling drugs in the presence of a child, or giving drugs to a child.

If you have been charged with neglect, contact Cozzo Law immediately.

Contact Us