Child neglect is when a parent or caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection and support needed for a child’s health, safety and well-being. Child neglect includes physical neglect and inadequate supervision, emotional neglect, medical neglect and/or educational neglect.
Angela Tinder, Allegany County DSS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHILD NEGLECT
Types of Child Negelct
Physical Neglect
Children need enough care to be healthy and enough supervision to be safe. Adults that care for children must provide clothing, food and drink. A child also needs safe, healthy shelter, and adequate supervision. Examples of physical neglect include:
  • Deserting a child or refusing to take custody of a child who is under your care
  • Repeatedly leaving a child in another’s custody for days or weeks at a time
  • Failing to provide enough healthy food and drink
  • Failing to provide clothes that are appropriate to the weather
  • Failing to ensure adequate personal hygiene
  • Not supervising a child appropriately
  • Leaving the child with an inappropriate caregiver
  • Exposing a child to unsafe/unsanitary environments or situations
Medical Neglect
Some states do not prosecute parents who withhold certain types of medical care for religious reasons, but they may get a court order to protect the child’s life. Parents and caregivers must provide children with appropriate treatment for injuries and illness. They must also provide basic preventive care to make sure their child stays safe and healthy. Examples of medical neglect include:
  • Not taking child to hospital or appropriate medical professional for serious illness or injury
  • Keeping a child from getting needed treatment
  • Not providing preventative medical and dental care
  • Failing to follow medical recommendations for a child
Emotional neglect
Children require enough affection and attention to feel loved and supported. If a child shows signs of psychological illness, it must be treated. Examples of emotional neglect include:
  • Ignoring a child’s need for attention, affection and emotional support
  • Exposing a child to extreme or frequent violence, especially domestic violence
  • Permitting a child to use drugs, use alcohol, or engage in crime
  • Keeping a child isolated from friends and loved ones
Educational Neglect
Parents and schools share responsibility for making sure children have access to opportunities for academic success. Examples of educational neglect include:
  • Allowing a child to miss too much school
  • Not enrolling a child in school (or not providing comparable home-based education)
  • Keeping a child from needed special education services
Source: ​www.childhelp.org
Recognizing Child Neglect
Child neglect may be seen in children who:
  • Are often absent from school, are not attending school, drop out of school
  • Are developmentally delayed
  • Begs for or steals food and money
  • Is constantly hungry/nutrient deficient and/or stockpiles food
  • Lacks needed medical care such as immunizations, glasses or dental work
  • Is dirty with body odor and other hygiene issues
  • Clothing that is the wrong size, in disrepair, dirty, or not right for the weather
  • Demand constant attention and affection
  • Regularly show fatigue, fall asleep in class
  • Take over an adult caring role of the parent
  • Plan only for the moment
  • States that no one is at home to care for them or their siblings
Source: ​Signs of Child Neglect and How to Report Child Neglect | HealthyPlace
Tips to Help Prevent Child Neglect
Supporting families and increasing protective factors within a community can help prevent child neglect. 
Be a Good Neighbor
​Prevention can be as easy as friendship. Often, struggling families just need a listening ear. If you notice a neighbor or friend struggling with parenting, ask what you can do to help, and tell them you are there for them.
Donate Basic Care Items
Families in need often need small, everyday items to not only care for their family, but also to feel supported by their community. Families may need cleaning supplies, toiletries, diapers, personal hygiene products, laundry assistance, and other items that cannot be obtained with their government benefits.
Become a Mentor
Becoming a parent can be challenging and often new moms and dads feel alone and are not sure what to do. By becoming a mentor, you can help guide families by offering your knowledge and experience as a parent. 
Help Connect Families with Services
Our community is rich with resources. If you are aware of a family in need, help connect them to services like food pantries, clothing closets, and governmental benefit programs. 
Offer Parenting Workshops
Churches, non-profits, schools, child care providers, and other organizations can offer parenting programs to help build parenting skills and decrease family isolation.
Learn More About Child Neglect
Helpful Links
​Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC

​Neglect Toolkit | Friends NRC

​Understanding Child Neglect | Guide for Parents | Kids Helpline

​Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment and Intervention (childwelfare.gov)