New Jersey § 9:6-8

§ 9:6-8.

For purposes of this act: “ Abused child ” means a child under the age of 18 years whose parent, guardian, or other person

having his custody and control: a. Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury by other than

accidental means which causes or creates a substantial risk of death, or serious or

protracted disfigurement, or protracted impairment of physical or emotional health

or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ; b. Creates or allows to be created a substantial or ongoing risk of physical injury

to such child by other than accidental means which would be likely to cause death

or serious or protracted disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function

of any bodily organ; or c. Commits or allows to be committed an act of sexual abuse against the child; d. Or a child whose physical, mental, or emotional condition has been impaired or

is in imminent danger of becoming impaired as the result of the failure of his parent

or guardian, or such other person having his custody and control, to exercise a minimum

degree of care (1) in supplying the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, education,

medical or surgical care though financially able to do so or though offered financial

or other reasonable means to do so, or (2) in providing the child with proper supervision

or guardianship, by unreasonably inflicting or allowing to be inflicted harm, or substantial

risk thereof, including the infliction of excessive corporal punishment or using excessive

physical restraint under circumstances which do not indicate that the child's behavior

is harmful to himself, others or property; or by any other act of a similarly serious

nature requiring the aid of the court; e. Or a child who has been willfully abandoned by his parent or guardian, or such

other person having his custody and control; f. Or a child who is in an institution as defined in section 1 of P.L.1974, c. 119

( C. 9:6-8.21 ) and (1) has been so placed inappropriately for a continued period of time with the

knowledge that the placement has resulted and may continue to result in harm to the

child's mental or physical well-being or (2) has been willfully isolated from ordinary

social contact under circumstances which indicate emotional or social deprivation. A child shall not be considered abused pursuant to subsection f. of this section if

the acts or omissions described therein occur in a day school as defined in section

1 of P.L.1974, c. 119 ( C. 9:6-8.21 ).