Stepmother, perpetrator of maltreatment and neglect

This diagnosis code identifies a situation where a stepmother is the individual responsible for the abuse or neglect of a patient. It specifically points to the perpetrator's relationship to the victim and the nature of the harm inflicted, encompassing various forms of maltreatment.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates that a stepmother is the identified perpetrator of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect against the patient. This is typically used in conjunction with codes detailing the specific type of abuse or neglect suffered by the patient.

• Always sequence this code after the primary code identifying the specific type of abuse or neglect.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly names the stepmother as the perpetrator.
• Do not use if the perpetrator's relationship to the victim is not a stepmother, even if other family members are involved.