Is it considered child abandonment if I leave my 3 year old and 10 month old in the car by themselves?

Maybe, and you can ( and most likely will) be arrested, it may not be considered abandonment, but it would be considered child endangerment and/or child neglect.

Abandonment is more leaving them at the store and driving off, how long they were left in the car would judge this.
It can be used as abandonment in terms of the other parent trying to get custody from you

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Originally Posted by vertor

is it considered child abandonment if I leave my 3 year old and 10 month old in the car by themselves?

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Hello vertor:

It's NOT child abandonment.. It's child NEGLECT. They put people in jail for that.

excon

What if my ex-husband lives out of state and our divorce was finalized a few months ago. I was awarded full custody. Can my ex-husband take his child from me?

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Originally Posted by vertor

I was awarded full custody. Can my ex-husband take his child from me?

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Hello again, v:

If you continue to NEGLECT them, you betcha he can get them, and he SHOULD!

excon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vertor

what if my ex-husband lives out of state and our divorce was finalized a few months ago. I was awarded full custody. Can my ex-husband take his child from me?

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This would not be considered child abandonment in terms of changing custody, but it would be criminal neglect or endangerment. You could be arrested which means you couldn't care for the children which means they would be placed with the father.

Did this in fact happen? Were you cited by the police? Is he aware of it?

My ex-husband is aware of what happened. He was contacted the child protective services in virginia.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vertor

my ex-husband is aware of what happened. He was contacted the child protective services in virginia.

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Hello v:

If you're a serial abuser, then the proper place for your children IS your husband.. If however, you had a lapse of judgment, and you left your kids in the car because you were only going to be gone a couple minutes. IF that's so, then when, and if he tries to get custody, hire a very good lawyer.

excon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vertor

my ex-husband is aware of what happened. He was contacted the child protective services in virginia.

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I think you left something out here. Did you mean; he was contacted BY the child protective services...

If that's so, then you were caught doing this and CPS was called in. So what is the full story here so we can help.

Yes this is grounds for him to try and get custody of the kids, often he will get custody when you are in jail from doing this.

Your original question way if this was considered abandonement and it is not, it is child endangerment and neglect which is a criminal offense for which you can be arrested.