South Dakota § 26-8A-2 - Abused or neglected child.
Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 26-8A-2 — Abused or neglected child., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 26-8A-2. Abused or neglected child.
In this chapter and chapter 26-7A, the term, abused or neglected child, means a child:
(1) Whose parent, guardian, or custodian has abandoned the child or has subjected the child to mistreatment or abuse;
(2) Who lacks proper parental care through the actions or omissions of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian;
(3) Whose environment is injurious to the child's welfare;
(4) Whose parent, guardian, or custodian fails or refuses to provide proper or necessary subsistence, supervision, education, medical care, or any other care necessary for the child's health, guidance, or well-being;
(5) Who is homeless, without proper care, or not domiciled with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian through no fault of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian;
(6) Who is threatened with substantial harm;
(7) Who has sustained emotional harm or mental injury as indicated by an injury to the child's intellectual or psychological capacity evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment in the child's ability to function within the child's normal range of performance and behavior, with due regard to the child's culture;
(8) Who is subject to sexual abuse, sexual molestation, or sexual exploitation as defined in § 22-22-24.3, by the child's parent, guardian, custodian, or any other person responsible for the child's care;
(9) Who was subject to prenatal exposure to abusive use of alcohol, marijuana, or any controlled drug or substance not lawfully prescribed by a practitioner as authorized by chapters 22-42 and 34-20B; or
(10) Whose parent, guardian, or custodian knowingly exposes the child to an environment that is being used for the manufacture, use, or distribution of methamphetamines or any other unlawfully manufactured controlled drug or substance.
Source: SDC 1939, § 43.0301 (12) as enacted by SL 1968, ch 164, § 1; SL 1984, ch 192, § 1; SL 1990, ch 170, § 4; SL 1991, ch 217, § 111B; SDCL Supp, § 26-8-6; SL 1998, ch 204, § 2; SL 2004, ch 181, § 1; SL 2005, ch 141, § 1; SL 2008, ch 137, § 1; SL 2020, ch 89, § 5.
Source: official South Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 26-8A-2
What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 26-8A-2 cover?
Section 26-8A-2 ("Abused or neglected child.") is part of the South Dakota Codified Laws, the codified statutory law of South Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Dakota § 26-8A-2?
A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 26-8A-2" (South Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Dakota attorney.
How does South Dakota § 26-8A-2 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Dakota.