What action qualifies as neglect in Maryland?

The action that qualifies as neglect in Maryland is leaving a child unattended under risky circumstances. This is considered neglect because it presents a direct threat to the child's safety and well-being. In the context of Maryland law, neglect is defined as the failure to provide proper care and supervision, which includes ensuring that children are not exposed to dangerous situations without appropriate oversight. Leaving a child in a risky situation can lead to physical harm, emotional distress, or other negative outcomes, thereby prioritizing the child's safety as a legal obligation.

The other options do touch on aspects of care that can be concerning, but they either lack the immediacy of risk associated with physical safety or are not specifically defined as neglect under Maryland law. The failure to provide educational opportunities and meet emotional needs may be considered forms of inadequate parenting but do not meet the threshold of neglect unless they directly endanger the child. Inadequate nutrition alone is serious, but Maryland law typically requires a broader context of neglect that reflects ongoing care and supervision concerns. Thus, leaving a child unattended under risky circumstances stands out as a clear and actionable case of neglect in Maryland.