RE: neglect and religious beliefs

["Michelle Kessler" <kessler1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

g) Depending upon Spiritual Means Through Prayer Alone for the Treatment or
Cure of Disease or Remedial Care

A child whose parent, guardian or custodian in good faith selects and
depends upon spiritual means through prayer alone for the treatment or cure
of disease or remedial care may be considered neglected or abused, but not
for the sole reason that his parent, guardian, or custodian accepts and
practices such beliefs. [325 ILCS 5/4] Where the circumstances indicate harm
or substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare and medical
care necessary to treat or prevent that harm or risk of harm is not being
provided because a parent or other person responsible for the child's
welfare depends upon such spiritual means, the child shall be subject to the
requirements of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act for the
reporting of, investigation of, and provision of protective services with
respect to the child and his health needs.

(Source: Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 10328, effective July 19, 1996)


Bill - the above is a section directly from the Illinois rule on this issue.
Hope this helps,

Michelle Kessler


Michelle L. Kessler, Visiting Research Specialist
Children and Family Research Center
School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1203 W. Oregon
Urbana,IL. 61801
(217)-244-4662



-----Original Message-----
From: bill higgins [mailto:bill_higginsus@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 4:39 PM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: neglect and religious beliefs


We are trying to define neglect for a research
project.  Do people consider refusing medical
attention - based on religious beliefs - neglect?  We
weren't sure if this was part of official reporting.

Bill

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