Social Work Services Child Protective Services - Definitions of Abuse, Neglect and Dependency

  • Abused Juveniles - Any juvenile less than 18 years of age whose parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker:
    1. Creates or allows to be created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to the juvenile by other than accidental means; or
    2. Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the juvenile a serious physical injury by other than accidental means; or
    3. Uses or allows to be used upon the juvenile cruel or grossly inappropriate procedures or cruel or grossly inappropriate devices to modify behavior; or
    4. Commits, permits, or encourages the commission of a violation of the following laws by, with, or upon the juvenile; first degree rape, as provided in G.S. 14-27.2; second degree rape as provided in G.S. 14-27.3; first degree sexual offense, as provided in G.S. 14-27.4; second degree sexual offense, as provided in G.S. 14-27.5; sexual act by a custodian, as provided in G.S. 14-27.7; crime against nature, as provided in G.S. 14-177; incest, as provided in G.S. 14-178 and 14-179; preparation of obscene photographs, slides or motion pictures of the juvenile, as provided in G.S. 14-190.5; employing or permitting the juvenile to assist in a violation of the obscenity laws as provided in G.S. 14-190.6; dissemination of obscene material to the juvenile as provided in G.S. 14-190.7 and G.S. 14-190.8; displaying or disseminating material harmful to the juvenile as provided in G.S. 14-190.14 and G.S. 14-190.15; first and second degree sexual exploitation of the juvenile as provided in G.S. 14-190.16 and G.S. 14-190.17; promoting the prostitution of the juvenile as provided in G.S. 14-190.18; and taking indecent liberties with the juvenile, as provided in G.S. 14-202.1, regardless of the age of the parties; or
    5. Creates or allows to be created serious emotional damage to the juvenile. Serious emotional damage is evidenced by a juvenile's severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or aggressive behavior toward himself or others; or
    6. Encourages, directs, or approves of delinquent acts involving moral turpitude committed by the juvenile.
  • Neglected Juvenile - A juvenile who does not receive proper care, supervision, or discipline from the juvenile's parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker; or who has been abandoned; or who is not provided necessary medical care; or who is not provided necessary remedial care; or who lives in an environment injurious to the juvenile's welfare; or who has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law. In determining whether a juvenile is a neglected juvenile, it is relevant whether that juvenile lives in a home where another juvenile has died as a result of abuse or neglect or lives in a home where another juvenile has died as a result of suspected abuse or neglect or lives in a home where another juvenile has been subjected to abuse or by an adult who regularly lives in the home.
  • Dependent Juvenile - A juvenile in need of assistance or placement because he has no parent, guardian, or custodian responsible for the juvenile's care or supervision or whose parent, guardian, or custodian, is unable to provide for the care or supervision and lacks an appropriate alternative child care arrangement.
  • Juvenile - Any person who has not reached the person's eighteenth birthday and is not married, emancipated, or a member of the armed forces of the United States.
  • Caretaker - Any person other than a parent, guardian, or custodian who has responsibility for the health and welfare of a juvenile in a residential setting.