Child Abuse and Neglect

By one estimate, some 870,000 children are abused or neglected nationwide each year.  Roughly 1,500 a year die at the hands of their abusers.  And most of the victims are under age 4.  But child abuse victims can be any age, come from any ethnic background and be born into poverty or into wealth.  Such victims do not fit into a particular profile.

It is against the law for anyone to abuse a child - physically, sexually or emotionally - or to endanger any child by putting the youngster in harm's way.  Nor is it legal to intentionally neglect a child who is in your care - to fail to adequately  feed, clothe or supervise the child or to supply medical care

Those who break these laws, depending on the circumstances, could face years in prison as a consequence.  In addition, if one parent fails to protect his or her child from another parent or partner who is abusive, he or she could be found criminally liable as well.