New Hampshire Petition for Abuse / Neglect

(CHINS) What is a CHINS? A Child in Need of Services (CHINS) matter is a court case in which the Juvenile Court tries to help parents and school officials deal with troubled youth.

The law doesn't specify an age at which the court must take into consideration a child's preference. That's because age doesn't determine maturity level. So it's conceivable that a judge might take into account the wishes of a young, mature child, but not those of an older, less responsible one.

"Educational Neglect" means any parent or guardian who has a minor child, age 6 to 18, that is not meeting mandated educational requirements of NH RSA 193:1 Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil as a result of the behavior of the parent or guardian and not the truant behavior of the child.

A Child in Need of Services (CHINS) matter is a court case in which the Juvenile Court tries to help parents and school officials deal with troubled youth.

To prove neglect, you need to show a child's basic physical and/or emotional needs are not being met and that a child is not being properly cared for. If the other parent doesn't feed the child, for example, or does not make sure the child gets to school, these can be potential signs of neglect.

Physical Neglect. The failure to provide necessary food, clothing, and shelter; inappropriate or lack of supervision. Medical Neglect. The failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment. Educational Neglect. Emotional Neglect.

Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and the most common form of child abuse2. A child might be left hungry or dirty, or without proper clothing, shelter, supervision or health care.

Child in Need of Services (CHINS), only a parent, police officer or school official can file a juvenile petition. By NH law, the person filing a juvenile petition (delinquent or CHINS) has the burden to prosecute and prove the charge before the court "beyond a reasonable doubt".

Parents may struggle to meet children's emotional needs due to a variety of reasons, such as depression or drug and alcohol abuse. A few examples of emotional neglect include humiliating a child, rejecting a child, or giving bizarre forms of punishment.