Every state has laws dealing with child neglect and abandonment.
These laws state what will happen when children are deprived of food, shelter or proper care, or if the parents simply abandon the children. Unlike child abuse, however, child neglect or abandonment is far easier to detect. Most adults can see when a child is malnourished, is not receiving proper health care or has been abandoned. Reports of child neglect or abandonment are made and treated the same as reports of child abuse. After receiving a report, the state normally sends a social worker to investigate the situation.