In most states a parent is considered to have abandoned a child if the parent does not make contact with the child and withholds financial support for a period of one or two years. Abandonment may be a basis to terminate a parent’s parental rights. But most states will not terminate a parent’s legal rights and obligations unless there is another adult—often a family member or stepparent—who wants to formally adopt the child.

Abandonment may result in criminal charges if a parent or guardian leaves a child under a certain age (15, for example) in any place and circumstance under which no reasonable adult would do so. For example, leaving a 8 year old child at the shopping mall may result in criminal charges of abandonment.

In Kentucky, parental abandonment is addressed under Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 625, which deals with the involuntary termination of parental rights. According to KRS 625.090, one ground for termination is when a parent has abandoned a child for a period of no less than 90 days. Abandonment in this context means the parent has not had reasonable contact with the child and has not provided for the child's needs. The statute requires that termination of parental rights must be in the best interest of the child, and typically, the court will look for another party willing to assume parental responsibilities, such as through adoption, before terminating rights. Additionally, under KRS 530.060, a parent may face criminal charges for abandonment if they leave a child in a situation that endangers their well-being, which could include leaving a young child alone in a public place like a shopping mall.