Under North Dakota law, what is considered "child abuse"?

The definition of "child abuse" under North Dakota law is broad and encompasses any act that causes or risks harm to a child. This includes not only physical abuse but also emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and any behavior that could potentially endanger a child's wellbeing. By recognizing a wide range of harmful actions, the law aims to protect children from various forms of maltreatment that could impact their healthy development and safety.

Other options, such as only considering physical violence or specific scenarios like leaving a child unattended, do not capture the full scope of what constitutes child abuse, as they limit the definition to narrow situations rather than the overall risk of harm. Additionally, spanking is often seen as a form of discipline rather than abuse under certain circumstances, indicating that not all disciplinary actions are automatically classified as abusive. Thus, the comprehensive nature of the first option aligns accurately with the legal framework regarding child abuse in North Dakota.