This study demonstrates that neglected children differ systematically from non-neglected children and suffer relative disadvantage in relation to multiple forms of maltreatment, parental contact, and reunification. Findings show that neglected children in this sample were younger than non-neglected children and presumably for this reason were less likely to pose conduct problems for caregivers. Neglected children were also more likely than non-neglected children to have some form of physical or mental disability. Both neglected and non-neglected children displayed modest emotional gains in foster care and non-neglected children demonstrated behavioral gains as well. Neglected children were more likely to be subject to a pattern of dysfunctional parenting that included multiple forms of maltreatment than were non-neglected children. Also found was that neglected children were more likely than non-neglected children to experience a decline in parental contact over time and were less likely to be reunified with their families of origin. The study also identified potentially important differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in this regard. While Aboriginal children were less likely to be reunified than non-Aboriginal children overall, this was due to the greater concentration of chronic neglect among indigenous children. Tables and references