Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect Virginia

Statute: § 63.2-100

Standard

Creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted

Commits or allows to be committed

Exemption

Religious exemption

Categories of Maltreatment Defined in Statute

Physical abuse

Neglect

Sexual abuse

Sexual exploitation

Emotional/mental injury

Abandonment

Categories of Maltreatment Not Defined in Statute

Full Text of Statute

DEFINITIONS

Va. Code Ann. § 63.2-100 (West, WESTLAW through Va. 2003 Legis. Serv., Ch. 467)

'Abused or neglected child' means any child less than 18 years of age:

Whose parents or other person responsible for his care creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon such child a physical or mental injury by other than accidental means, or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or impairment of bodily or mental functions;

Whose parents or other person responsible for his
care neglects or refuses to provide care
necessary for his health;

Whose parents or other person responsible for his
care abandons such child;

Whose parents or other person responsible for his
care commits or allows to be committed any act of
sexual exploitation or any sexual act upon a
child in violation of the law; or

Who is without parental care or guardianship
caused by the unreasonable absence or the mental
or physical incapacity of the child's parent,
guardian, legal custodian or other person
standing in loco parentis.

EXCEPTION

Va. Code Ann. § 63.2-100 (West, WESTLAW through Va. 2003 Legis. Serv., Ch. 467)

No child who in good faith is under treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination shall for that reason alone be considered to be an abused or neglected child.