Child Abandonment and Abuse Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of abandoned?

A situation in which the parent has made a significant contribution to the child's care

A situation in which the parent, while being able, fails to contribute to the child's care (correct)

A situation in which the parent has full custody of the child

A situation in which the child is in a loving home

What does 'establish or maintain a substantial and positive relationship' mean?

Frequent and regular contact with the child through visitation or communication.

What is not sufficient to establish or maintain a substantial and positive relationship with a child?

Marginal efforts and incidental or token visits/communications.

Does an acknowledgment of paternity limit the period of time considered in determining whether a child was abandoned?

False Signup and view all the answers

What does 'abandoned' not include?

A surrendered newborn, a child in need of services, or a family in need of services. Signup and view all the answers

How does incarceration affect a finding of abandonment?

Incarceration may support a finding of abandonment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of abuse?

Any willful act or threatened act resulting in harm to a child's physical, mental, or emotional health. Signup and view all the answers

What does abuse of a child include?

Acts or omissions. Signup and view all the answers

Is corporal discipline considered abuse in Florida?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a dependent child?

A child who has been removed from their home and needs to be under state supervision. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a disposition hearing?

A hearing to determine appropriate protections and services for a child in dependency cases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of harm?

When any person inflicts or allows to be inflicted physical, mental, or emotional injury on a child. Signup and view all the answers

What factors must be considered in evaluating any injury to a child?

<ol> <li>Age of child 2. Prior history of injuries 3. Location of the injury 4. Multiplicity of the injury 5. Type of trauma inflicted.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What types of injuries does harm include?

Sprains, fractures, brain/spinal cord damage, burns, cuts, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What is neglect?

A caregiver's failure to provide necessary care and services to a child. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of physical injury?

Death, permanent or temporary disfigurement, or impairment of any bodily part. Signup and view all the answers

What is sexual abuse of a child?

Any sexual behavior that occurs without consent or equality. Signup and view all the answers

What does equality mean in the context of relationships?

Participants operating with the same level of power without coercion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of shelter?

Placement for temporary care of a child pending court disposition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a shelter hearing?

A hearing to determine if there is probable cause to keep a child in shelter status. Signup and view all the answers

What is substance abuse?

Using psychoactive or mood-altering drugs without medical reason to induce impairment. Signup and view all the answers

What is substantial compliance?

When the circumstances causing a case plan have been significantly remedied. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'taken into custody' mean?

The status when temporary physical control over a child is attained by an authorized person. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'victim' mean?

Any child who has sustained or is threatened with injury from abuse or neglect. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definitions and Key Concepts

Abandoned: A parent fails to contribute significantly to a child's care or maintain a positive relationship while capable.
Substantial and positive relationship: Regular and frequent visitation, communication, and exercise of parental responsibilities.
Insufficient relationship: Marginal efforts or token interactions do not establish a positive relationship.

Legal Provisions

Acknowledgment of paternity: Does not limit the period considered for abandonment.
Exclusions from abandonment: Surrendered newborns, children in need of services, and families needing services are not classified as abandoned.

Impact of Incarceration

Incarceration and abandonment: Can support a finding of abandonment if the parent is repeatedly or excessively incarcerated.

Abuse and Harm

Abuse definition: Willful acts or threats causing physical, mental, or emotional harm that impair a child's health.
Inclusions under abuse: Encompasses both acts and omissions that negatively affect a child.
Corporal discipline: Not considered abuse unless it results in harm.

Dependency and Hearing Processes

Dependent child: A child removed from their home requiring state supervision.
Disposition hearing: Court proceeding to determine appropriate protections, services, and placements for a dependent child.

Evaluating Injuries and Harm

Harm definition: Injury inflicted or allowed upon a child, whether physical, mental, or emotional.
Factors for injury evaluation: Includes age, history of injuries, injury location, injury multiplicity, and type of trauma.
Types of injuries classified as harm: Includes bruises, fractures, brain damage, drowning, and any permanent effects.

Neglect

Neglect definition: Failure to provide necessary care, supervision, and services for a child's health and well-being.

Physical and Sexual Abuse

Physical injury: Includes disfigurement or impairment of bodily functions.
Sexual abuse: Any sexual act occurring without consent, equality, or through coercion.
Equality in relationships: Refers to both participants having equal power, without control or coercion.

Shelter and Hearings

Shelter: Temporary placement of a child with relatives or in licensed facilities pending court review.
Shelter hearing: Court examination of probable cause for maintaining a child's shelter status during ongoing investigations.

Substance Abuse and Compliance

Substance abuse definition: Non-medical use of mood-altering drugs or alcohol that leads to social dysfunction.
Substantial compliance: Circumstances indicating significant remedy of issues that ensure child safety upon returning to parents.

Custody and Victim Definition

Taken into custody: Status of a child under temporary control by authorized personnel pending release or placement.
Victim definition: A child sustaining injury or threatened with harm due to abuse, neglect, or related incidents.

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Description

This quiz covers key definitions and legal provisions related to child abandonment, including the impact of incarceration and the legal definitions of abuse. Understand the nuances of parental responsibilities and the implications of insufficient relationships. Test your knowledge on these important topics in child welfare and law.