Parents are not the only people who can face Child Abuse charges in Weld County. These charges can happen any time a child is placed in a situation that could or does result in harm to the child. Recently, in Lakewood an unlicensed daycare provider was charged with abusing a child after a two-year-old boy received serious injuries to his head, neck, and arms. Child Abuse can be either a felony or misdemeanor charge depending on many factors in the case. Hiring skilled criminal defense attorneys is important to get the best outcome. Below the attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office discuss Child Abuse charges and how our attorneys can best help. If you are facing Child Abuse charges in Fort Collins or Larimer County get help here.
Colorado Definition of Child Abuse, C.R.S. 18-6-401
The legal definition of Child Abuse, C.R.S. 18-6-401, in Colorado is:
A person commits child abuse if such person causes an injury to a child’s life or health, or permits a child to be unreasonably placed in a situation that poses a threat of injury to the child’s life or health, or engages in a continued pattern of conduct that results in malnourishment, lack of proper medical care, cruel punishment, mistreatment, or an accumulation of injuries that ultimately results in the death of a child or serious bodily injury to a child.
When a child is recklessly or intentionally placed in a situation that risks harm or results in harm by someone who is supervising them, the responsible adult can be charged. Although bodily harm is one measure of if a person is charged, it is important to note that the child does not have to be injured for a person to be charged, the child’s well-being needs to be at risk.
In Greeley, Colorado What Are Common Reasons Child Abuse is Charged?
In Greeley, harm can include bodily injury, serious bodily injury, malnourishment, emotional distress, or any time in which a child’s safety and well-being are at risk. This is often seen when a parent or care giver is charged with Driving Under the Influence while a child is in the car, a child is left alone in a car, or when a child is being physically or mentally abused.
A child with a severe injury is taken especially seriously in the Weld County Courts and that often is when a caregiver or parent is found facing charges of Child Abuse. Most forms of discipline, like spanking, do not result in severe injury, risk of injury, or lack of care, however parents can find themselves being investigated if a child reports to a teacher or school that their parent spanked them.
Punishment for Child Abuse Conviction in Weld County
The punishment of Child Abuse charges in Weld County depends on the intent of the defendant, the age of the child and level of injury. A conviction with no injuries is a class 2 misdemeanor with penalties of up to 120 days in the Weld County Jail and a maximum fine of $750. In the story above, depending on if the daycare worker was acting knowingly or recklessly or with criminal negligence, it would be charged as a felony carrying the potential penalty of time in a Colorado State Prison and fines. A felony Child Abuse charge is an extraordinary risk crime, which significantly increases the maximum amount of time a defendant will have to spend in a Colorado prison if convicted.
Top Windsor, Colorado Child Abuse Attorney
Child Abuse charges in Windsor and Weld County can have repercussions on families, jobs, and a person’s personal life. The O’Malley Law Office criminal defense attorneys have over 30 years of experience defending against Child Abuse charges, let our attorneys work hard for you! We will learn the details of your situation and work for the best results in your case.