What Is Considered Child Abandonment in Ohio?
There are federal laws governing child welfare, but almost every state has its own set of definitions and distinctions of what constitutes child abuse and neglect. A few states have outlined what constitutes abandonment, including Ohio.
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Abandonment
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An abandoned child is generally defined as a child with parents whose whereabouts or identity are unknown, who has been left alone by a parent in a dangerous situation, or has not had contact with the parents for a certain amount of time, which is outlined by the state.
Ohio Law
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In Ohio, a child is considered abandoned if the parents have failed to visit or contact the child for 90 days, even if they make an attempt to contact the child after that time. A child is defined as any individual under the age of 18. In Ohio, an abandoned child is categorized as a neglected child.
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Filing a Report
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If a person believes a child has been abandoned (or is being abused in any other way), he must file a report with the child protective services (CPS) office. CPS will investigate the situation beginning within 24 hours and the state will respond accordingly.
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References
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