Child abuse is generally the mistreatment of a child by a parent or caregiver—through actions or inactions—that causes injury, death, or emotional harm to the child—or that places the child at serious risk of such injury, death, or emotional harm. Mistreatment that constitutes child abuse may take many forms, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, failure to supervise, and exploitation. Child abuse laws vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s family code and criminal or penal code.

In Kentucky, child abuse is defined and regulated under various statutes within the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). The law considers child abuse to be any act or failure to act that results in physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm to a child. This includes neglect, physical injury, and emotional injury. Kentucky law mandates that certain professionals, such as teachers, doctors, and social workers, must report suspected child abuse to the proper authorities, specifically the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or law enforcement. Failure to report suspected abuse can result in penalties. The statutes that address child abuse in Kentucky include, but are not limited to, KRS Chapter 620, which outlines the duty to report and the procedures for investigation and intervention, and KRS Chapter 508, which defines criminal offenses related to assault and abuse. The state takes child abuse seriously, and those found guilty of such offenses can face severe legal consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and loss of parental rights.