Child Abuse and Neglect

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Federal legislation places the foundation for States by classifying sets of actions or doings that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as revised by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, describes child abuse and neglect as, at minimum: Any current or recent act or failure to act on a parent’s or caretakers behalf which concludes death, extreme physical or emotional damage, sexual abuse, or an act or failure to act which portrays a looming risk of significant damage (Child Welfare Information Gateway). Most Federal and State child protection laws are predominantly referring to situations brought by parents or other caregivers, which usually do not take in harm done by others, for example strangers or associates. Abuse, aggravated abuse, and child neglect can occur and be described in many of different ways. Child abuse means infliction of bodily or psychological damage on a child on purpose. Neglect of a child means when a caregiver fails to provide care to a child, protection, or anything necessary to uphold a child’s physical or mental health and well being. Aggravated abuse occurs when one commits aggravated battery on a child. Meaning intentionally causing pain and suffering, maliciously disciplining, or knowingly and illegitimately cages a child. Depending on the offense there are many penalties in regards of child abuse. One who commits aggravated child abuse is a felony in the first degree. If a person who is deliberately or responsible for neglecting a child and meaning in so doing creates great physical harm, eternal disability, or permanent mutilation to a child is committing a felony of second degree. If a person who just knowingly or intentionally abuses a child even without causing any type of physical harm commits a felony in the third degree. Alexandra Watkins of Aloha, Oregon, was

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