Final answer:
There is no uniform age for taking possession of an abandoned baby as it varies by law, but one must be a legal adult and navigate relevant legal processes. Stability and mature guardianship are crucial for the child's welfare, emphasizing the necessity for adults to take on this role responsibly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The exact age at which you can take possession of an abandoned baby varies by jurisdiction, but typically, an individual must be an adult, usually 18 years or older. However, taking possession of an abandoned child usually involves legal processes, including working with child welfare agencies and possibly going through formal adoption procedures.
Concerning the risk of child neglect and abuse, younger mothers, particularly teenage mothers, are statistically more likely to mistreat their children. As one ages, the risk of such behavior decreases. This highlights the importance of stable and mature guardianship for the wellbeing of children. Many children in foster care, especially those older than 3 years, siblings, or with disabilities, need timely permanency to provide stability in their lives. Unfortunately, each year about 20,000 young people age out of foster care without ever finding such permanency.
There are about three million children living with guardians who are not their biological or adoptive parents, with varying underlying causes such as parental mental health issues or abandonment. Approximately half of these children are cared for by grandparents and the other significant portion by other relatives. Regardless, legal guardianship typically requires the guardian to be a legal adult and usually involves interaction with child welfare services.