PHYSICAL NEGLECT

The most common form of child maltreatment that is reported to child protective agencies is child neglect.  Unlike other forms of abuse, neglect is an ongoing pattern showing inadequate care.  Medical neglect, as defined by NCANDS* is "the harm by a caretaker to a child's health due to failure to provide for appropriate health care of the child, although financially able to do so, or offered financial or other means to do so; may also include exposure to drugs".

Examples:

- physical needs not getting met

- lack of food, clothing, shelter

- lack of medical and dental needs

- lack of supervision

- home accidents (poisons, falls, fires, etc.)

- drugs and alcohol to minors

*NCANDS is the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System by National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.