Parental Substance Use as Child Maltreatment - Virgin Islands

Substance-Exposed Newborns

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Children Exposed to Parental Substance Use
Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 14, § 503; Tit. 5, § 2550(c)(6)

'Neglect' means to place a child or allow a child to be placed in a situation that a reasonable person should know is dangerous to the child's health or welfare, and includes, but is not limited to, leaving a child in the care of any person known to use, possess, or sell illegal drugs or abuse alcohol.

The court may terminate the parental rights and responsibilities of one or both parents if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the termination of the parent's rights is in the best interests of the child and that the parent is unable to discharge parental duties due to habitual abuse or addiction to intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs.