What term describes leaving a child in a risky situation without necessary care?

The term that describes leaving a child in a risky situation without necessary care is neglect. This refers to the failure to provide adequate supervision, guidance, or support to a child, which can lead to potential harm or danger. Neglect can manifest in various ways, including not attending to a child's basic needs for food, shelter, medical care, or supervision.

In situations of neglect, the focus is on the caregiver's failure to act or provide the minimum standards of care, which places the child at risk of harm. This is distinct from other terms like abandonment, which typically involves the outright desertion of a child without intention to return, or endangerment, which generally refers to putting a child in a dangerous situation intentionally. Child abuse encompasses a wider range of harmful behaviors towards a child, including physical, emotional, and sexual mistreatment, rather than just the lack of care implied by neglect.