A woman in a small Colorado town left her two small children died in a car by the side of a snowy road, and will face serious felony Child Abuse (CRS 18-6-403) charges following their death. Child abuse can arise in Weld County cities like Greeley, Keenesburg, and Eaton, through negligence, neglect, and intentional conduct directed towards kids. Most people will recognize this terrible injustice towards two young boys who died too soon, but reports are now coming out that neighbors of the woman suspected neglect and did little about it. Only one person contacted authorities.
The District Attorney could charge the mother with Homicide (CRS 18-3-102), Manslaughter (CRS 18-3-104), or Child Abuse Resulting in Death (CRS 18-6-401). But, some of her neighbors, family, and friends who witnessed or suspect neglect could also face criminal charges. If it is found that someone was a mandated reporter, suspected abuse or neglect by the mother, and did not report to authorities, they can be charged with a class 3 misdemeanor of Failure to Report Child Abuse (CRS 19-3-301).
Generally, people are under the assumption that just professionals in the medical field like doctors, nurses, and psychologists and anyone in the education realm like teachers, principles, or counselors are mandated reporters. The list includes many more professions however. Firefighters, dental hygienists, veterinarians, pharmacists, commercial film and photographic print processors, registered dietitians, and animal control officers are all required to report any child abuse or suspected child abuse. Anytime someone working in one of those mandated reporting fields sees or suspects child abuse, they are bound by the law to report it, whether on the clock or off.
If police contact you regarding child abuse or failure to report child abuse, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.