Which describes child neglect?

• A. Child attends school regularly
• B. Caregiver fails to provide food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, medicine, and medical services
• C. Parent disciplines child with mild spanking
• D. Child plays unsupervised in a park

Answer: (B)

Child neglect means a caregiver fails to provide basic needs essential for a child's health and well-being, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and ongoing supervision. The option describing a caregiver who does not provide food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, medicine, and medical services matches this definition exactly, because it shows a sustained failure to meet essential needs.

Attending school regularly indicates the child is receiving education and structure, which reflects care. Mild spanking is a disciplinary action rather than a failure to meet basic needs, though excessive or abusive discipline can raise concerns about other forms of harm. A child playing unsupervised in a park might raise safety concerns, but not necessarily neglect unless it reflects a pattern of insufficient supervision and ongoing risk.