A person under the age of 18 years.

Agencies that help coordinate investigations of child abuse by providing a child-friendly location for interviews and medical examinations and by coordinating services for children suspected of being abused. They offer assistance to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the District Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement agencies, by using expertise in the areas of interviewing, counseling, and testimony on behalf of the child.

May exist when the parent's relinquish their caregiving responsibility, and there is no current caregiver or the current caregiver can no longer provide care.

Occurs when serious harm is inflicted non-accidentally on a child by any person age fourteen (14) years or older.

Sexual use of a child for sexual arousal, gratification, advantage, or profit.

Sexual conduct with a child when such contact, touching, or interaction over or under the child’s clothes is used for arousal or gratification of sexual needs or desires. 

Any intrusion or entrance, however slight, through the use of digits (i.e., fingers or toes); through the use of an inanimate object; or between the sex organ, mouth, or anus of one person and the sex organ, mouth, or anus of another person.

A disease that was originally acquired as a result of sexual penetration or sexual contact with an afflicted individual.

May exist when the parents' relinquish their caregiving responsibility, and there is no current caregiver or the current caregiver can no longer provide care.

DHR does not investigate as abuse/neglect reports of a child not attending school. Truancy issues are generally handled by the school district and court having jurisdiction in the child’s county of residence.