Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2151
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04 (2026)

Dependent child defined

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
August 8, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 274 - 121st General Assembly
PDF:
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As used in this chapter, "dependent child" means any child:

(A) Who is homeless or destitute or without adequate parental care, through no fault of the child's parents, guardian, or custodian;

(B) Who lacks adequate parental care by reason of the mental or physical condition of the child's parents, guardian, or custodian;

(C) Whose condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interests of the child, in assuming the child's guardianship;

(D) To whom both of the following apply:

(1) The child is residing in a household in which a parent, guardian, custodian, or other member of the household committed an act that was the basis for an adjudication that a sibling of the child or any other child who resides in the household is an abused, neglected, or dependent child.

(2) Because of the circumstances surrounding the abuse, neglect, or dependency of the sibling or other child and the other conditions in the household of the child, the child is in danger of being abused or neglected by that parent, guardian, custodian, or member of the household.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 587 cases (238 in the last 5 years), 1958–2026 · leading case: In re N.J., 2017 Ohio 7466 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
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In re N.J., 2017 Ohio 7466 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 126× “Mother argued that none of the children were dependent children under R.C. 2151.04, and that neither K.J. nor Ne.”
In re S.L., 2016 Ohio 5000 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 52× “031 (A) and a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04 (C); and [A.L.] is a dependent child pursuant to R.”
In re L.H., 2019 Ohio 2383 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 59× “was adjudicated dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C) and adjudicated abused. L.”
In re A.W., 2011 Ohio 4490 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 64× “was dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C), maintaining that the child’s “condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interest of the child, in assuming the child’s guardianship.”
In re A.V., 2021 Ohio 3873 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 23× “04(C) and dismissing the remaining neglect and dependency allegations under R.C. 2151.04(A)(2) and R.C. 2151.04(B). The magistrate found that the state had established dependency under R.”
In Re: The S Child., 2018 Ohio 2961 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 20× “were abused or neglected, reverse the holding that the dependency statute, R.C. 2151.04(C), did not apply, and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
In re I.T., 2016 Ohio 555 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 16× “was a dependent child under R.C. 2151.04(B), (C), and (D). The complaint asserted that both parents have mental health issues, and that Father lacks parenting 2 knowledge, is cognitively delayed, and has a history of sexual abuse of children.”
In re K.A., 2017 Ohio 1 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 6× “R.C. 2151.04 contains the various definitions of “dependent child.”
In re O.H., 2011 Ohio 5632 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 20× “was making independent arrangements for her own childcare based on a dependency situation every time she went to visit her sister.”
In re R.L., 2017 Ohio 4271 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 11× “Based on the agency’s investigation, however, CSB filed a complaint on April 22, 2016, alleging that the child was dependent pursuant to R.C. 2151.04(A) and (C). {¶4} After an adjudicatory hearing, the magistrate adjudicated the child dependent pursuant to R.”
In re G.T., 2022 Ohio 1406 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 23× “04(A); the agency failed to show that she suffered from a diagnosed mental health condition that would inhibit her ability to care for G.”
In re A.P., 2022 Ohio 3181 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 11× “We find the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in adopting the -7- Warren CA2022-01-002 magistrate's decision and adjudicating Arlette a dependent child under R.C. 2151.04. Mother's assignment of error is overruled.”
Show all 587 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(A) — 36 cases
In re R.L., 2017 Ohio 4271 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “Based on the agency’s investigation, however, CSB filed a complaint on April 22, 2016, alleging that the child was dependent pursuant to R.C. 2151.04(A) and (C). {¶4} After an adjudicatory hearing, the magistrate adjudicated the child dependent pursuant to R.”
In re Riddle, 680 N.E.2d 1227 (Ohio 1997).
In re Riddle, 1997 Ohio 391 (Ohio 1997).
In re G.T., 2022 Ohio 1406 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “04(A); the agency failed to show that she suffered from a diagnosed mental health condition that would inhibit her ability to care for G.”
In Re Alexander C., 843 N.E.2d 211 (Ohio Ct. App. 2005).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(A)(2) — 2 cases
In re A.V., 2021 Ohio 3873 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “04(C) and dismissing the remaining neglect and dependency allegations under R.C. 2151.04(A)(2) and R.C. 2151.04(B). The magistrate found that the state had established dependency under R.”
In re J.P., 2017 Ohio 8508 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(A)(2)(3) — 1 case
In re B.R., 2021 Ohio 3150 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(A)(C) — 2 cases
In re M.R., 2011 Ohio 6528 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
In re R.C., 2023 Ohio 146 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(B) — 77 cases
In re O.H., 2011 Ohio 5632 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “was making independent arrangements for her own childcare based on a dependency situation every time she went to visit her sister.”
In re W.M., 2022 Ohio 1978 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
In re I.T., 2016 Ohio 555 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “was a dependent child under R.C. 2151.04(B), (C), and (D). The complaint asserted that both parents have mental health issues, and that Father lacks parenting 2 knowledge, is cognitively delayed, and has a history of sexual abuse of children.”
In re A.P., 2022 Ohio 3181 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “We find the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in adopting the -7- Warren CA2022-01-002 magistrate's decision and adjudicating Arlette a dependent child under R.C. 2151.04. Mother's assignment of error is overruled.”
In re C.S., 2012 Ohio 2884 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(B)(C) — 1 case
In re T.B., 2021 Ohio 3413 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(C) — 375 cases
In re N.J., 2017 Ohio 7466 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “Mother argued that none of the children were dependent children under R.C. 2151.04, and that neither K.J. nor Ne.”
In re L.H., 2019 Ohio 2383 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “was adjudicated dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C) and adjudicated abused. L.”
In re A.V., 2021 Ohio 3873 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “04(C) and dismissing the remaining neglect and dependency allegations under R.C. 2151.04(A)(2) and R.C. 2151.04(B). The magistrate found that the state had established dependency under R.”
In re S.L., 2016 Ohio 5000 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “031 (A) and a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04 (C); and [A.L.] is a dependent child pursuant to R.”
In Re: The S Child., 2018 Ohio 2961 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “were abused or neglected, reverse the holding that the dependency statute, R.C. 2151.04(C), did not apply, and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(C)(1) — 1 case
In re J.G., 2013 Ohio 417 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(D) — 50 cases
In re N.J., 2017 Ohio 7466 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “Mother argued that none of the children were dependent children under R.C. 2151.04, and that neither K.J. nor Ne.”
In re S.L., 2016 Ohio 5000 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “031 (A) and a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04 (C); and [A.L.] is a dependent child pursuant to R.”
In re A.W., 2011 Ohio 4490 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “was dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C), maintaining that the child’s “condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interest of the child, in assuming the child’s guardianship.”
In re L.H., 2019 Ohio 2383 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “was adjudicated dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C) and adjudicated abused. L.”
In re K.A., 2017 Ohio 1 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “R.C. 2151.04 contains the various definitions of “dependent child.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(D)(1) — 23 cases
In re N.J., 2017 Ohio 7466 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “Mother argued that none of the children were dependent children under R.C. 2151.04, and that neither K.J. nor Ne.”
In re S.L., 2016 Ohio 5000 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “031 (A) and a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04 (C); and [A.L.] is a dependent child pursuant to R.”
In re A.W., 2011 Ohio 4490 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “was dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C), maintaining that the child’s “condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interest of the child, in assuming the child’s guardianship.”
In re L.H., 2019 Ohio 2383 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “was adjudicated dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C) and adjudicated abused. L.”
In re K.A., 2017 Ohio 1 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “R.C. 2151.04 contains the various definitions of “dependent child.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(D)(1)(2) — 4 cases
In re W.M., 2022 Ohio 1978 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
In re D.W., 2025 Ohio 246 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
In re B.W., 2022 Ohio 604 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
In re D.W., 2026 Ohio 1442 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(D)(2) — 13 cases
In re K.A., 2017 Ohio 1 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “R.C. 2151.04 contains the various definitions of “dependent child.”
In re S.L., 2016 Ohio 5000 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “031 (A) and a dependent child pursuant to R.C. 2151.04 (C); and [A.L.] is a dependent child pursuant to R.”
In re A.W., 2011 Ohio 4490 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “was dependent under R.C. 2151.04(C), maintaining that the child’s “condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interest of the child, in assuming the child’s guardianship.”
In re N.J., 2017 Ohio 7466 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “Mother argued that none of the children were dependent children under R.C. 2151.04, and that neither K.J. nor Ne.”
In re A.S., 2020 Ohio 1356 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(a) — 1 case
In re E.W., 2012 Ohio 308 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(b) — 5 cases
In re Baby Boy W., 2011 Ohio 2337 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
In re L.L., 2012 Ohio 4346 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
In re J.H., 2019 Ohio 5184 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
In re N.L., 2013 Ohio 3983 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013).
In re J.H., 2019 Ohio 5185 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.04(c) — 6 cases
In re K.M., 2011 Ohio 3632 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
In re A.D., 2019 Ohio 1331 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
In re T.J.W., 2014 Ohio 4419 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
In re D.E., 2022 Ohio 1150 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
In re K.P., 2021 Ohio 552 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
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