What is the legal definition of child neglect?

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Jessica's law causes registered sex offenders to roam streets of San Francisco, California|Child Abuse Lawyer
In California, Tiffany Lopez faces child abuse charges in connection with the death of her two-year-old daughter, Kamilah Russell.
In Maine, Edgard Anziani was arrested in connection with the death of 15-month-old Damien Lynn.
In Utah, Kami Kay Tollefson faced three charges of second-degree felony child abuse.
In Kentucky, Robert Long is charged with murder in connection with the death of his baby boy, Lavion Gamble.

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Child Safety News

Senator Linda Newell - SB10-171 - Senate Health and Human Services
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Texas reports a 31% increase in child abuse and neglect deaths.
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In Ohio, child welfare organizations increase child abuse education.
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The NFL and Roger Goodell now admit there may be a correlation between multiple concussions and permanent brain damage.
Posted on 12/22/2009 More

The book entitled No one would believe it: Experiences of a child abuse investigator written by Evelyn Kelly Norman is available.
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In Wisconsin, The Child Welfare Disclosure Act requires some information be made public in child abuse cases.
Posted on 10/21/2009 More

Qualified pediatricians will take the first child abuse board examination on November 16, 2009.
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Operation Twisted Traveler nets three more American men in a child sex abuse operation in Cambodia. The men are charged with sexual exploitation of Cambodian children.
Posted on 9/24/2009 More

In Oklahoma, Dr. Robert Block, child abuse medical expert, leads the way in bringing “correct science to the judicial system”.
Posted on 8/19/2009 More

Child Abuse board certification is the next step for physicians in this growing sub-specialty of pediatric medicine.
Posted on 7/20/2009 More

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Q: What is the legal definition of child neglect?

A: One example of a legal definition of child neglect comes from the State of California:
Neglect
Citation: Penal Code § 11165.2
Neglect means the negligent treatment or the maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances indicating harm or threatened harm to the child's health or welfare. The term includes both acts and omissions on the part of the responsible person.

Severe neglect means the negligent failure of a person having the care or custody of a child to protect the child from severe malnutrition or medically diagnosed nonorganic failure to thrive. Severe neglect also means those situations of neglect where any person having the care or custody of a child willfully causes or permits the person or health of the child to be placed in a situation such that his or her person or health is endangered, including the intentional failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.

General neglect means the negligent failure of a person having the care or custody of a child to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision where no physical injury to the child has occurred.