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Child Protection and Child Welfare

What is considered abuse and neglect in Minnesota?

Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment:

It is usually failure of the child's caregiver to:

• supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical, or mental health care, education or appropriate supervision.

• protect the child from conditions or actions that endanger the child

• take steps to ensure that a child is educated according to the law.

Exposing a child to certain drugs during pregnancy and causing emotional harm to a child may also be considered neglect.

Physical abuse

is any physical injury or threat of harm or substantial injury, inflicted by a caregiver upon a child other than by accidental means. Physical abuse can range from minor bruises to severe internal injuries and death.

Mental injury

is harm to the child's psychological capacity or emotional stability evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment of the child's functioning, is considered abuse in Minnesota.

Sexual abuse

is the subjection of a child to a criminal sexual act or threatened act by a person responsible for the child's care or by a person who has a significant relationship to the child or is in a position of authority.

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