Child Abandonment Facts
Child abandonment is a destructive act caused by a multitude of issues, including mental illness. It is a severe form of neglect, which can be grounds for prosecution. The federal government offers alternatives to child abandonment, such as USAID. (See Resources.)
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Identification
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The Child Welfare Information Gateway defines child abandonment as a form of neglect in which the child's parents' location is unknown or their identity is unknown. It is also classified as putting children in harmful circumstances, failing to provide reasonable support or failing to be in contact with the child.
Causes
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Though there is no obvious cause of child abandonment, those at high risk include the poverty stricken, teenage parents, addicts, the mentally ill, those with a history of sexual or physical abuse and those with external stressors such as financial problems, work problems or childcare problems.
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Effects
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Reactive attachment disorder is a possible effect of child abandonment. Reactive attachment disorder is caused by gross deprivation of care or multiple caregivers throughout life, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Child Abuse Laws
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The United States has laws protecting children under age 18 from neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse/exploitation, threatening/inflicting physical harm and emotional or mental injury. Each state has its own definition of what constitutes child abandonment, and penalties correspond with whether they charge a parent with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Alternatives
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USAID is one alternative to child abandonment. It provides temporary financial assistance, job skills development and offers community support groups that offer coping strategies for those who wish to reclaim their abandoned child.
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