Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Which statement about child abandonment is true?

1. It requires legal action

2. It is usually temporary

3. It involves leaving a child without care

4. It is often an act of discipline

The correct answer is: It involves leaving a child without care

The statement that child abandonment involves leaving a child without care is true because abandonment legally and socially refers to the situation where a parent or guardian leaves a child without any intention of returning or without providing for their care. This act signifies a failure of the caregiver to fulfill their responsibilities, placing the child's safety and well-being at serious risk. Abandonment can have significant emotional, physical, and psychological impacts on the child, leading to potential legal consequences for the caregiver. While legal action may be involved in cases of abandonment, it isn't a defining characteristic of the act itself, as legal recognition can vary by jurisdiction. The notion that abandonment is usually temporary mischaracterizes the nature of the act, which is typically characterized by an absence of care that indicates a permanent or long-term relinquishment of parental responsibilities. Moreover, defining abandonment as an act of discipline does not align with societal or legal standards, as discipline typically implies a structured approach to child-rearing that aims at guiding behavior rather than forsaking caregiving responsibilities.