Child Maltreatment - Neglect

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is child neglect?

• Child neglect is the most common form of family violence and maltreatment of a child. A child may be defined as a person under 18 years of age. Each U.S. state may have different legal views of child neglect. Child neglect occurs when persons fail to fulfill their duties of taking care and meeting the needs of a child. These persons whom the child depends on or trusts may unknowingly or on purpose commit the neglect. Parents, guardians, foster parents, relatives, or a carer of a child may be responsible for the neglect. A carer is someone who is paid or not paid for caring for a child. Child neglect includes not giving a child his basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, proper education, guidance, and care.
  
  
• Abandonment and medical abuse may also be considered child neglect. Child abandonment is when someone has withdrawn or given up supporting a child. This may include completely leaving the child alone in an unsafe place. With medical abuse, needed immunizations or treatments are not given, or the wrong amount of medicines is given. Child neglect may happen in the home of the child or the abuser. It may also happen in daycare centers, schools, foster homes, hospitals, or other locations. Child neglect may lead to physical, emotional and mental pain, serious injury, and disability. When child neglect is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help people who are at risk for, or who are victims of child neglect.

What causes child neglect? The exact cause of child neglect is not known. There are many things that may cause someone to neglect a child. Poor, violent, or crowded living conditions may be one of the reasons why it occurs. The following are other possible causes and conditions that may increase a child's risk of neglect:

• Risks related to the neglecter:
  
  
  • Being a single or a teen-age parent.
    
    
  • Drinks alcohol or uses illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, or marijuana.
    
    
  • Has a personality disorder, depression, or another mental illness.
    
    
  • Has a history of family violence, such as physical or sexual abuse.
    
    
  • Has stress due to work, taking care of the child, or financial problems.
  
  
• Risks related to the child:
  
  
  • Has learning or memory problems.
    
    
  • Has long-term conditions or special needs.
    
    
  • Has no relatives or friends who can take care of him.
    
    
  • Shows aggressive or disruptive behavior.

What are the signs and symptoms of child neglect? Your child may have any of the following:

• Frequent absences from school.
  
  
• No money or nothing to eat so he turns to begging and stealing, or no place or house to stay in.
  
  
• Dehydration (loss of too much body fluids and electrolytes).
  
  
• Depression or worsening health condition.
  
  
• Health care needs that are not given, such as immunizations or dental care.
  
  
• Poor hygiene, such as wearing dirty clothes, having body odor, lice, scabies, or untreated wounds.
  
  
• Weight loss or not able to gain weight or increase height.

How is child neglect diagnosed? A caregiver will take a detailed health history from you, your child, or other family members or carers. This may include information on the kind of child neglect that is happening. He may be asked if he has been eating properly, taking medicines, given clothing, or been taken good care of. Caregivers may also want to know who the neglecter is, and how long the neglect has been happening. Your child may need to take tests or answer written questions so his caregiver may learn more about his condition. His body may need to be examined or photographed. Your child may also need any of the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests: Samples of blood and urine may be sent to a lab for tests.
  
  
• Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your child's head and body. The test shows bones, muscles, blood vessels, and organs. Dye may be given before the pictures are taken to show body areas better. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp), as he may also be allergic to some dyes.
  
  
• X-rays: X-ray pictures may show bones that are broken or out of place. X-rays of the victim's chest and abdomen (belly) may also be taken.

How is child neglect treated? A child who has been neglected may be placed in a day care center or foster home. Special services may be offered to ensure a child's safety and health. Treatment may also include any of the following:

• For the neglected child:
  
  
  • Counseling: Caregivers may talk to you, your child, or other family members, friends, or the neglecter about child neglect. Caregivers may explain the problems that can occur if child neglect is not noticed or stopped.
    
    
  • Diet and nutrition: Your child should eat a variety of healthy foods. A special diet may be considered depending on his condition. A caregiver, called a dietitian, may talk to you, your child, or other family members or carer about feeding and nutrition.
    
    
  • Medicines: Caregivers may give medicines if your child has certain medical conditions.
    
    
  • Surgery or wound care: Your child may need surgery to treat injuries, wounds, or other health conditions.
  
  
• For the neglecter:
  
  
  • Criminal prosecution: Neglecters may be arrested and punished.
    
    
  • Medicines: Medicines may be given to treat depression and alcohol or substance abuse.
    
    
  • Psychotherapy: This is a type of counseling that is usually done in a series of meetings or talks. These meetings can help people understand why neglect happens, and learn about problems that a neglecter might have.
    
    
  • Rehabilitation: A neglecter may need to be put in an alcohol or substance abuse rehabilitation program. These programs may help him learn how to control or stop his drinking or drug problem.

Where can I find support and more information? Reporting child neglect may be hard to do, but it is very important. By reporting child neglect, your child will get the help that he needs to stop the neglect from happening or continuing. Talk to your child and help him discuss his feelings. You, your child, and other family members may also want to join a support group. This is a group of children who may have also been neglected, abandoned, or medically abused. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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