Mercer County Children's Advocacy Center

Please select a Mobi Menu from the Menu Locations tab in order to make your header display as intended.

Mercer County Children's Advocacy Center
  • Home
  • About Mercer CAC
  • What to Expect
    • Forensic Interview Services
    • Medical Exams
    • Trauma Treatment
  • For Families and Children
    • What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
      • Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect
      • Myths and Facts About Child Abuse and Neglect
      • Recognize the Signs of Abuse and Neglect
    • What is Child Neglect?
      • Preventing Neglect
      • Recognize the Signs of Neglect and Emotional Maltreatment
      • Reporting Neglect
      • Responding to Neglect
    • What is Child Physical Abuse?
      • Preventing Physical Abuse
      • Recognize the Signs of Physical Abuse
      • Reporting Physical Abuse
      • Responding to Physical Abuse
    • What is Child Sexual Abuse?
      • Preventing Sexual Abuse
      • Recognize the Signs of Sexual Abuse
      • Reporting Sexual Abuse
      • Responding to Sexual Abuse
    • Keeping your Child Safe
      • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Resources
    • Reading Resources
    • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
    • Talking To Your Children About Sexuality
    • What is Age-Appropriate?
    • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • Internet Safety
    • Abbreviations and Text Terms
    • Cyberbullying & Sextortion
    • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Social Media Safety

What is Child Neglect?

Pennsylvania’s definition of child abuse has changed as a result of recent amendments to our Child Protective Services Law (CPSL). Effective December 31, 2014, the expanded definition of child abuse lowers the standard of what will be considered child abuse under CPSL.

So, what is child neglect?

Child-Neglect-Loretto-jailThe actual definitions vary by state, but we would consider neglect the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs.  Neglect may be:

  • Physical (e.g, failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision)
  • Medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment)
  • Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs)
  • Emotional (e.g., inattention to a child’s emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs)

Abandonment

Abandonment is now defined in many states as a form of neglect.  In general, a child is considered to be abandoned when the parent’s whereabouts are unknown, the child has been left aloneAbuse-stop-child-abuse-28564872-765-540 in circumstances where the child suffers serious harm, or the parent has failed to maintain contact with the child for  a specific period of time.

Parental Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is an element of child abuse and neglect.  Circumstances that are considered abuse or neglect include:

  • Prenatal exposure of a child to harm due to the mother’s use of an illegal drug or other substance
  • Manufacture of methamphetamine in the presence of a child
  • Selling, distributing, or giving illegal drugs or alcohol to a child
  • Use of a controlled substance by a caregiver that impairs the caregiver’s ability to adequately care for the child

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.  This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance.  Emotional abuse is often difficult to prove, and therefore, child protective services may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm or mental injury to the child.  Emotional abuse is almost always present when other types of maltreatment are identified.

Resources

  • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • Keeping your Child Safe
    • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
  • Reading Resources
  • Internet Safety
    • Social Media Safety
    • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Abbreviations and Text Terms
    • Cyberbullying & Sextortion

Mercer County CAC

  • Abbreviations and Text Terms
  • About Mercer CAC
  • Awareness Month Blog
  • Behaviors to Watch Out for When Adults are with Children
  • Contact Us
  • Cyberbullying & Sextortion
  • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Donation Confirmation
  • Donation Failed
  • Donation History
  • Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
  • Family Safety Plan
  • FAQ about Forensic Interview Services
  • For Families and Children
  • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
  • Internet Safety
  • Keeping your Child Safe
  • Medical Exams
  • Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission
  • Mission Statement
  • Myths and Facts About Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Origins of the CAC
  • Preventing Neglect
  • Preventing Physical Abuse
  • Preventing Sexual Abuse
  • Reading Resources
  • Recognize the Signs of Abuse and Neglect
  • Recognize the Signs of Neglect and Emotional Maltreatment
  • Recognize the Signs of Physical Abuse
  • Recognize the Signs of Sexual Abuse
  • Reporting Neglect
  • Reporting Physical Abuse
  • Reporting Sexual Abuse
  • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
  • Resources
  • Responding to Neglect
  • Responding to Physical Abuse
  • Responding to Sexual Abuse
  • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
  • Social Media Safety
  • Talking To Your Children About Sexuality
  • Tip Sheet: How To Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse In Program Settings*
  • Trauma Treatment
  • Welcome to the Mercer County Children’s Advocacy Center
  • What is Age-Appropriate?
  • What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
  • What is Child Neglect?
  • What is Child Physical Abuse?
  • What is Child Sexual Abuse?
  • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • What to Expect at the CAC
  • What to expect when calling ChildLine
Copyright ©2025 Bearsthemes. All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • About Mercer CAC
  • What to Expect
  • For Families and Children
  • Resources
  • Internet Safety