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

Which of the following is not a requirement for child abandonment to be charged?

1. Leaving the child under 13 alone

2. Failure to provide basic care

3. Leaving the child without supervision for an extended period

4. Being away from the child for more than 24 hours

The correct answer is: Leaving the child under 13 alone

The requirement that is not necessary for a charge of child abandonment is leaving the child under 13 alone. While leaving a child without supervision can certainly raise concerns about their safety and well-being, the specific age of the child and the duration of their solitude are not standalone criteria for determining abandonment. Abandonment typically focuses on the intent and actions of the caregiver, such as the failure to provide necessary care or the circumstances surrounding their absence from the child. Other options detail various scenarios that contribute to defining abandonment, such as the failure to provide basic care, extended periods without supervision, or being away for a set duration. Each of these highlights an element central to establishing abandonment. In contrast, the mere act of leaving a child under a certain age alone does not inherently meet the legal threshold for abandonment without considering further context and intent behind the caregiver's actions.