Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

If a parent leaves their child under 13 for an entire day without supervision, what could they be charged with?

1. Robbery

2. Child Abandonment

3. Neglect

4. Assault

The correct answer is: Child Abandonment

Child abandonment refers to the act of leaving a child without proper care or supervision, particularly when the child is too young to be independent. In many jurisdictions, laws are in place to protect children from harm by ensuring they are adequately cared for. When a parent leaves a child under the age of 13 for an entire day without supervision, it can be considered child abandonment because the child is left vulnerable and without adequate care or protection. Neglect is closely related but typically involves a failure to provide for a child's basic needs, such as food, shelter, or medical care. However, in this scenario, the specific act of leaving a minor without supervision could more accurately fall under the definition of abandonment, as it emphasizes the lack of responsible supervision rather than just the failure to meet physical needs. Robbery and assault involve actions that result in harm to another person or the unlawful taking of property, which does not relate to the scenario of leaving a young child unsupervised. Therefore, the charge of child abandonment is the most appropriate in this situation, as it deals with the safety and well-being of the child left alone.