Child Welfare License (CWEL) Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

A child is classified as abandoned when a parent intends to permanently leave a child without providing proper care or support. This can involve leaving the child in a situation where they are not cared for or where there is no intent to return. The definition of abandonment involves the lack of intention to maintain a parental relationship and the absence of care or contact with the child.

The context emphasizes the serious implications of abandonment for the well-being of the child, as it often leads to a range of emotional and physical challenges. Understanding this particular classification helps child welfare professionals recognize and respond to situations that require intervention, ensuring the safety and appropriate placement of children who have been abandoned.

In contrast, leaving a child temporarily indicates a different situation, as does leaving a child with a trusted relative or placing them in a foster home, which signifies care and support from others rather than abandonment.