Child abuse in Colorado is defined as “causing an injury to a child’s life or health” or permitting a child to be “unreasonably placed in a situation that poses a threat of injury to the child’s life or health,” or engaging 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.”
The severity of the specific child abuse charge depends upon whether or not the child was injured, the nature of the injury, and the state of mind of the actor at the time the injury occurred.
If a person acts ‘knowingly” or “recklessly” and the injury is serious bodily injury, it is a class three felony.
It becomes a class four felony if a person acts “negligently.” If a child is injured but the injury is not “serious bodily injury” it is a class one misdemeanor.
There are many other subsections where Child Abuse can be charged but those are some of the more common charges.
In addition to carrying severe criminal penalties, Child Abuse charges can also drastically effect a person’s rights as a parent.
If you have been accused of Child Abuse, the penalty can be incredibly severe. Not only that, but it could affect your rights as a parent. Do not go into the fight without an experienced advocate. Choosing an experienced lawyer is the best decision you can make early on in your case.
Merson Law Office represents parents who have been accused of child abuse in Longmont and throughout Colorado. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (970) 219-2923 or fill out an intake form here.
970-219-2923