In re Shane T.
This case concerns a 14-year-old child, Shane T., declared abused by his natural parents. The court found that the father subjected Shane to incessant verbal abuse, calling him derogatory names related to his sexual identity, causing him stomach pain and emotional distress. The court interpreted "physical injury" under the Family Court Act to include harm inflicted by verbal means, leading to protracted impairment of emotional health, expanding beyond physical force. The mother was also found to have allowed the abuse by failing to protect her son, despite knowing of the father's actions. Consequently, Shane was declared an abused child, remanded to the Commissioner of Social Services, and psychiatric and psychological evaluations were ordered.