What term describes children with no parent or legal guardian in the US to provide care for them?

• A. Runaway youths
• B. Orphaned children
• C. Unaccompanied children
• D. Dependent minors

Answer: (C)

In U.S. child welfare and related systems, the term that describes a child who does not have a parent or legally responsible guardian available to provide care is unaccompanied children. This label specifically signals the absence of an adult with legal responsibility for the child, so the state or other authorities may step in to provide protection and care, such as placement in foster care or special programs.

Runaway youths describe someone who left home voluntarily where a parent or guardian still exists, so that term doesn’t capture the lack of any responsible caregiver. Orphaned children refers to a situation where both parents are deceased, but the child may still have another guardian or caretaker—so it doesn’t inherently indicate no legally responsible adult. Dependent minors is a legal status indicating a child is under the care and supervision of the state or a court, but it doesn’t by itself specify the absence of a parent or guardian.