Child Abandonment - READ FIRST!

Glad you posted this Scott because half of the time I just skip many of the questions on the board because I find myself scratching my head wondering what in the world some of these people are thinking about or trying to ask. Questions like, "Can I file abandonment charges against him" or "Can I get him for abandonment" don't make any sense. Where do people get these crazy ideas? Filing charges against someone? What in the world is that suppose to mean? District attorneys, those who work for the state and whose job it is to prosecute crimes, file criminal charges against people, not private citizens. Don't people know that? Or is it just too much TV and movies?

Anyway, again, glad you posted this.

N.J. Statutes concerning child abuse can be found under Title 9. Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts. 9:6-1. ABUSE, ABANDONMENT, CRUELTY AND NEGLECT OF CHILD; [WHAT CONSTITUTES ABUSE SHALL CONSIST OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING]
~Abandonment of a child shall consist in any of the following acts by anyone having the custody or control of the child: (a) willfully forsaking a child; (b) failing to care for and keep the control and custody of a child so that the child shall be exposed to physical or moral risk without proper and sufficient protection; (c) failing to care for and keep the control and custody of a child so that the child shall be liable to be supported and maintained at the expense of the public, or by child caring societies or private persons not legally chargeable with its or their care, custody and control.
~Neglect of a child shall consist in any of the following acts, by anyone having the custody or control of the childa) willfully failing to provide proper and sufficient food, clothing, maintenance, regular school education as required by law, medical attendance or surgical treatment, and a clean and proper home, or (b) failure to do or permit to be done any act necessary for the child's physical or moral well-being. Neglect also means the continued inappropriate placement of a child in an institution, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1974, c. 119 (C. 9:6-8.21), with the knowledge that the placement has resulted and may continue to result in harm to the child's mental or physical well-being.

9:6-8.14. VIOLATIONS INCLUDING FAILURE TO MAKE REPORT; DISORDERLY PERSON;

Any person knowingly violating the provisions of this act including the failure to report an act of child abuse having reasonable cause to believe that an act of child abuse has been committed, is a disorderly person.
[This information found on the State of N.J. Department of Children & Families website under NJ law]

First, Title 9 where? Laws vary by area!

Second, what is your point in posting this to a sticky note that was posted 3 years ago? I don't see anything in the cite, that contradicts what was in the sticky note.

Sorry! I edited the post to indicate the state it refers to.
And the reason?...just helping a friend get her facts straight.
Laws are different in each state, I apologize again for not making that clear the first time - Thanks!

Thank you for adding that info. I will comment that the NJ law does not contradict the advice given in this sticky. While NJ has defined what it considers abandonment of a child, it doesn't change the point that abandonment is used as a means to another end. I.E. getting or modifying a custody order, for example.

So a poster needs to identify what is the end result they want not ask whether they can or how to file for abandonment. This is what we can help with.