What is Child Abuse and Neglect?

CODE OF MARYLAND REGULATIONS (COMAR) defines child abuse and child neglect as:

• Physical injury not (necessarily visible) of a child under circumstances that indicate that a child’s health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed.
• The failure to give proper care and attention to a child, leaving a child unattended where the child’s health or welfare is harmed or a child is placed in substantial risk of harm.
• An act or acts involving sexual molestation or exploitation whether physical injuries are sustained or not.
• Identifiable and substantial impairment of a child’s mental or psychological ability to function.
• Finding credible evidence that has not been satisfactorily refuted that physical abuse, neglect or sexual abuse occurred.