[Treatment and Follow-up] : Child Neglect
Child neglect cases encompass a vast range of situations that include medical neglect (withholding or delaying the seeking of medical care), nutritional neglect (failure to thrive), educational neglect (truancy of a minor), inadequate supervision, reckless endangerment, emotional neglect, failure to plan, abandonment, and excessive corporal punishment. The New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Law distinguishes excessive corporal punishment as a form of maltreatment rather than a form of physical abuse. If the case has not already been reported, report any suspicions of neglect to the State Central Register (1-800-635-1522) or local hotline. Most incidences of neglect can be remedied with strong and continued support services for the family. However, some cases require medical intervention, particularly infants and children diagnosed with medical neglect or failure to thrive and newborns with a positive toxicology screen.
