Animals can be unpredictable. Seemingly gentle and kind creatures can snap and react poorly to a situation. They are, in fact, animals. A child dangling a treat or stealing a toy can set a dog off and injuries can occur, whether they were intentional or a small hand just got in the way. The problem is, as a pet owner, you are responsible for the actions of your animal. Recently in Greeley, a young boy was bit by a dog while under the care of his babysitter. When the police arrived on scene, the babysitter claimed an unknown dog bit the boy while they were outside getting ready to go to the park. But as the questioning continued, the story did not match up with the events. It was determined that the dog actually belonged to the babysitter’s brother and the event occurred inside the house. The babysitter was charged with False Reporting and her brother was charged with Child Abuse along with some municipal court violations.
Weld County False Reporting Attorney | What is the Definition?
The Colorado law definition of False Reporting in Weld, Logan, and Phillips County – C.R.S. 18-8-111 – is:
(a) He or she knowingly:
(I) Causes by any means, including but not limited to activation, a false alarm of fire or other emergency or a false emergency exit alarm to sound or to be transmitted to or within an official or volunteer fire department, ambulance service, law enforcement agency, or any other government agency which deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property; or
(II) Prevents by any means, including but not limited to deactivation, a legitimate fire alarm, emergency exit alarm, or other emergency alarm from sounding or from being transmitted to or within an official or volunteer fire department, ambulance service, law enforcement agency, or any other government agency that deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property; or
(b) He makes a report or knowingly causes the transmission of a report to law enforcement authorities of a crime or other incident within their official concern when he knows that it did not occur; or
(c) He or she makes a report or knowingly causes the transmission of a report to law enforcement authorities pretending to furnish information relating to an offense or other incident within their official concern when he or she knows that he or she has no such information or knows that the information is false; or
(d) He or she knowingly provides false identifying information to law enforcement authorities.
The babysitter is facing the False Reporting to Authorities charge for providing information to officers that she knew was false (part c). Because she told the officers the dog was not known to her, a false statement, she would be facing this class 3 misdemeanor. Her potential punishment would be up to 6 months in the Weld County Jail and $750 in fines.
Have you been charged with False Reporting or Child Abuse? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Have you been charged with False Reporting or Child Abuse? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Greeley Child Abuse Defense Lawyer’s Definition?
The Colorado law definition of Child Abuse – C.R.S. 18-6-401 – is:
It could be argued that the brother placed the child in a situation where he was vulnerable to harm based on the history of the animal. If the dog is not current on its vaccines, especially rabies, or if the dog has a history of violence, then putting a child near that animal could be considered Child Abuse. In Greeley, Windsor, and Berthoud, Child Abuse is charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the injury the child sustained and the intent of the accused:
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Child Abuse Crime Classifications and Charges |
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| When a person acts knowingly or recklessly and the child abuse results in death to the child | Class 2 felony Child Abuse |
| When a person acts with criminal negligence and the child abuse results in death to the child | Class 3 felony Child Abuse |
| When the person acts knowingly or recklessly and the child abuse results in serious bodily injury | Class 4 felony Child Abuse |
| When the person acts knowingly or recklessly and the child abuse results in an injury other than serious bodily injury | Class 1 misdemeanor Child Abuse |
| When the person acts with criminal negligence and the child abuse results in any injury other than serious bodily injury | Class 2 misdemeanor Child Abuse |
| When the person acts knowingly or recklessly and no injury results | Class 2 misdemeanor Child Abuse |
| When the person acts with criminal negligence and no injury results | Class 3 misdemeanor Child Abuse |
Most likely, the brother was charged for acting with criminal negligence. He did not unleash the dog onto the child, rather he acted negligently in not keeping the dog away from the child. While it was not specifically stated, it does not seem that the little boy suffered serious bodily injury. He did sustain some injuries, including lacerations and puncture wounds, so the brother would most likely be looking at a class 2 misdemeanor Child Abuse. This means he could face a possible 3 to 12 months in the Weld County Jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with False Reporting or Child Abuse, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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