What constitutes "child neglect" under New York family law?

Child neglect under New York family law is primarily defined by a caregiver's failure to provide adequate care, supervision, or education for a child. This can encompass a variety of issues, such as not providing proper food, shelter, medical care, or educational opportunities, which may jeopardize a child's physical, mental, or emotional well-being. The focus is on the responsibilities parents and guardians have to ensure that their children are safe, healthy, and receiving necessary guidance.

Providing too much supervision or imposing strict discipline does not align with the definition of neglect, as these actions are typically seen as part of a parent's duty to safeguard a child's welfare. Allowing autonomy without restrictions can be appropriate depending on the child's age and maturity, but if this approach leads to the child being put in harmful situations, it could potentially lead to questions of neglect in different contexts.