Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect New Jersey
Standard
Inflicts or allows to be inflicted
Creates or allows to be created a substantial or ongoing risk
Exemption
Not addressed in statutes reviewed
Categories of Maltreatment Defined in Statute
Physical abuse
Neglect
Sexual abuse
Emotional/mental injury
Abandonment
Categories of Maltreatment Not Defined in Statute
Sexual exploitation
DEFINITIONS
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.9 (West 1993)
'Abused child' means a child under the age of 18 years whose parent, guardian, or other person having his custody and control:
Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury by other than accidental means which causes or creates a substantial risk of death, or serious or protracted disfigurement, or protracted impairment of physical or emotional health or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ;
Creates or allows to be created a substantial or ongoing risk of physical injury to such child by other than accidental means which would be likely to cause death or serious or protracted disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ; or
Commits or allows to be committed an act of sexual abuse against the child; or
A child whose physical, mental, or emotional condition has been impaired or is in imminent danger of becoming impaired as the result of the failure of his parent or guardian, or such other person having his custody and control, to exercise a minimum degree of care:
In supplying the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, medical or surgical care though financially able to do so or though offered financial or other reasonable means to do so; or
In providing the child with proper supervision or guardianship, by unreasonably inflicting or allowing to be inflicted harm, or substantial risk thereof, including the infliction of excessive corporal punishment or using excessive physical restraint under circumstances which do not indicate that the child¿s behavior is harmful to himself, others or property; or by any other act of a similarly serious nature requiring the aid of the court; or
A child who has been willfully abandoned by his parent or guardian; or
A child who is in an institution, excepting day schools, and:
Has been so placed inappropriately for a continued period of time with the knowledge that the placement has resulted and may continue to result in harm to the child¿s mental or physical well-being; or
Has been willfully isolated from ordinary social contact under circumstances which indicate emotional or social deprivation.
