Child maltreatment is defined as intentional harm to or avoidable endangerment of, anyone less than 18 years of age. Thus, child maltreatment includes both abuse-deliberate action that is harmful to a child’s well being-and neglect-failure to appropriately meet a child’s basic needs. An 18-year-old mother that is using drugs during pregnancy is guilty of child abuse and neglect. A baby does not have the option of saying “Mommy I don’t feel like getting …showed first 75 words of 1061 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1061 total…what is to be expected of her. The last mandatory condition would be to have random drug screenings. This will hopefully help in the mother’s quest to stay drug free. So you see, one way or the other society does pay for the transgressions of these drug-addicted mothers. Removing the child from the mother is only a band-aid solution. What has to take place is education. And education should start at a young age.