Child abuse is neglect that can be physical, emotional, or sexual. "In the United States, hundreds of children die of child abuse or neglect every year. Thousands suffer severe physical and emotional abuse and the number of reported cases of abuse is rising. Everyone now agrees that there are several different types of child abuse, although the exact categories vary from country to country"(Park 8).
First the physical abuse of children, next to neglect, physical abuse is the second most frequently reported form of child abuse. The physical abuse of children is physical injury inflicted upon the child with cruel and/or malicious intent. The Physical abuse can be the result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking, or otherwise physically harming the child. One horrific example of physically abusing children took place recently. "Four teenage boys in the foster care of a New Jersey couple were so badly nourished that they were removed from their home and the adoptive parents were arrested. Vanessa Jackson, 48, and Raymond Jackson, 50, were arrested and charged with four counts each of aggravated assault and 14 counts of child endangerment (Jet 46).
Two of the teenage boys were so badly nourished that they each weighed less than 50 pounds and stood about 4 feet tall. An investigation into the family began after police found the Jacksons" 19-year-old son, Bruce Jackson, rummaging through a neighbor's trash (Jet 46).
The young man who was adopted in 1995, measured 4 feet and weighed 45 pounds. He also had apparent heart irregularities. The three other boys, ages 14, 10, and 9, were removed from the home and hospitalized. The 14-year-old was 40 pounds and 4 feet tall (Jet 46).
Investigators said the couple received a yearly stipend of up to $28,000, but kept the boys locked out of the kitchen and fed them dry pancake batter. At least nine caseworkers were fired, including a caseworker who was supposed to be visiting the family regularly.
