______ is the person who, under court order, is the guardian of the child or the public/private agency with whom the child has been placed by a court.

• A. Guardian
• B. Custodian
• C. Parent
• D. Attorney

Answer: (A)

Guardian is the person who, under court order, is charged with the child’s care and welfare. This can be a private individual or a public/private agency with whom the child has been placed by the court. The guardian has the legal authority to make major decisions for the child (such as medical, educational, and welfare matters) and to supervise the child’s day-to-day life while the placement or guardianship is in effect. A custodian is someone who has physical custody but not necessarily the court-appointed legal authority; a parent may be the guardian only if the court appoints them; an attorney serves as the child’s legal representative, not the guardian.