What crime is associated with cruelty to children?

Severe physical harm or neglect of a child directly addresses the gravest aspects of cruelty to children, as it encompasses both physical abuse and neglect, which can significantly impact a child's wellbeing. This definition aligns with legal standards that categorize actions resulting in serious injury or the failure to provide necessary care and protection to a child as forms of cruelty.

Child endangerment generally refers to situations where a child's environment is manipulated to place them at risk of harm but does not necessarily imply physical or emotional abuse. Negligent behavior towards a minor captures a lack of attention or care but can vary in severity, missing the implication of severe harm. Domestic violence involves violence within a domestic context, which may indirectly affect children but does not specifically denote cruelty directed at them. Thus, the focus on severe harm or neglect aptly characterizes the legal ramifications and consequences of perpetrating cruelty against children.