Abuse & Neglect

       In Georgia, cases involving alleged abuse and/or neglect of a child fall within the scope of  "deprivation" actions.  The term "deprived child" means a child who is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his/her physical, mental, or emotional health or morals, or has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law; or has been abandoned by his parents or other legal custodian; or is without a parent, guardian, or custodian. 

A deprivation petition may be filed by any person who has knowledge of the facts or is informed and believes they are true. 


        The juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction over and is the sole court for initiating deprivation actions.  The juvenile court has concurrent jurisdiction with the superior court over cases involving custody except in those cases where the law gives the superior court exclusive jurisdiction and in those cases, the juvenile court has concurrent jurisdiction to hear and determine the issue of custody when the issue is transferred to it by proper order of the superior court.  A noncustodial parent should not bring a deprivation action in juvenile court to obtain custody because if the case is really a modification of custody case, the superior court would have jurisdiction.