Abuse

• (A) Any non-accidental physical injury or physical injury which is inconsistent with the explanation given for it suffered by a child as a result of the acts or omissions of a person responsible for the care of a child.
• (B) Emotional abuse.
• (C) Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation.
• (D) Prenatal abuse.
• (E) The commission of an act of family violence in the presence of a child. An act includes a single act, multiple acts, or a continuing course of conduct.  The term “presence” means physically present or able to see or hear.

Child

• (A) Any individual under the age of 18 years.
• (B) Under the age of 17 years when alleged to have committed a delinquent act.
• (C) Between 18 and 21 years of age and receiving extended care youth services from DFCS or
• (D) Under the age of 21 years who committed an act of delinquency before reaching the age of 17 years and who has been placed under the supervision of the court or on probation to the court for purposes of enforcing the orders of the court.

 

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

A community volunteer who:

• (A) Has been screened and trained regarding child abuse and neglect, child development, and juvenile court proceedings.
• (B) Has met all the requirements of an affiliate CASA program.
• (C) Is being actively supervised by an affiliate CASA program.
• (D) Has been sworn in by a judge of the juvenile court in the court or circuit in which he or she wishes to serve.

 

Delinquent Act

• (A) An act committed by a child designated a crime by the laws of this state, or by the laws of another state if the act occurred in that state, under federal laws, or by local ordinance, and the act is not an offense applicable only to a child or a juvenile traffic offense; or
• (B) The act of disobeying the terms of supervision contained in a court order which has been directed to a child who has been adjudicated to have committed a delinquent act; or
• (C) Failing to appear as required a citation issued for an act that would be a crime if committed by an adult.

 

Dependent Child

A child who:

• (A) Has been abused or neglected and is in need of the protection of the court.
• (B) Has been placed for care or adoption in violation of the law, or
• (C) Is without his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian.DFCS

 

DFCS

The Division of Family and Children Services.

DJJ

The Department of Juvenile Justice.

Emancipation

Termination of the rights of a parent to the custody, control, services, and earnings of a child.

Guardian ad litem

An individual appointed to assist the court in determining the best interest of a child.

Neglect

• (A) The failure to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for a child’s physical, mental, or emotional health or morals.
• (B) The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such child’s well-being, or
• (C) The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian.