Abandonment is considered intentional when the caregiver does which?

• A. Intentionally abandons the child
• B. Unintentionally leaves the child
• C. Forgets to pick up the child once
• D. Assumes the child will find shelter

Answer: (A)

Abandonment hinges on a deliberate act. It means a caregiver makes a conscious decision to leave a child without adequate supervision or care, in a situation where the child is unsafe or without protection. The clearest fit is the act of intentionally abandoning the child, because it reflects that purposeful choice to desert the child’s needs and safety. The other scenarios involve a lack of intent or a lapse in responsibility rather than a deliberate desertion: leaving unintentionally is not a chosen act, forgetting to pick up once is a temporary oversight, and assuming the child will find shelter shows disregard but not a conscious decision to abandon.