Understanding Child Neglect
Physical Neglect
Failure to provide basic necessities such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, or hygiene.
Medical Neglect
Failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment for a child.
Educational Neglect
Failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs.
Emotional Neglect
Failure to provide emotional support, love, and affection to a child.
Supervisory Neglect
Failure to provide adequate supervision for a child's age and development.
Signs & Indicators
Recognizing the warning signs is the first step toward protecting a child. Watch for these indicators:
- Frequent absences from school
- Begging for or stealing food
- Lack of needed medical or dental care
- Consistently dirty or has severe body odor
- Lack of appropriate clothing for the weather
- States there is no one at home to provide care
What Should You Do?
Recognize the Signs
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.
Call the Hotline
Report your concerns to the Colorado Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline at 844-CO-4-KIDS.
Provide Information
Share what you've observed. You don't need proof — trained professionals will investigate.
If Not You, Then Who?
Don't wait. Your call could make the difference in a child's life.
