Child Abuse is charged in Greeley and Weld County when a person is accused of harming a child or allowing a child to be in a potentially harmful situation. A daycare worker was recently charged with this crime after a co-worker reported his behavior. According to the report, the man was seen slapping a child and calling the child a racial slur. The co-worker reported to the daycare management as well as law enforcement and when the police investigated, it was revealed that the daycare had known about other similar instances with this particular employee. The man ended up charged with 28 counts of Child Abuse.
Weld County Child Abuse Lawyer: How is Child Abuse Charged in Colorado?
The Weld County, Colorado law definition of Child Abuse – C.R.S. 18-6-401 – is:
Penalty for Child Abuse in Severance and Firestone
The penalty for Child Abuse in Firestone and Severance depends on two categories:
- When an injury occurs;
- When no injury occurs.
This is further broken down by level of injury sustained and intent.
When death or injury results:
- Class 2 felony – person acts knowingly or recklessly and death results;
- Class 3 felony – person acts with criminal negligence and death results;
- Class 3 felony – person acts knowingly or recklessly and serious bodily results;
- Class 4 felony – person acts with criminal negligence and serious bodily injury results;
- Class 5 felony – person acts knowingly or recklessly and injury other than serious bodily injury results, AND the person has a previous conviction for Child Abuse
- Class 5 felony – person acts with criminal negligence and injury other than serious bodily injury results, AND the person has a previous conviction for Child Abuse
- Class 1 misdemeanor – person acts knowingly or recklessly and injury other than serious bodily injury results;
- Class 2 misdemeanor – person acts with criminal negligence and injury other than serious bodily injury results.
When no death or injury results:
- Class 5 felony – person acts knowingly or recklessly and no injury results, AND the person has a previous conviction for Child Abuse
- Class 5 felony – person acts with criminal negligence and no injury results, AND the person has a previous conviction for Child Abuse
- Class 2 misdemeanor – person acts knowingly or recklessly and no injury results;
- Class 2 misdemeanor – person acts with criminal negligence and no injury results.
The article states the man was charged with misdemeanor Child Abuse, so, for the slapping incident, it was likely the class 1 misdemeanor for acting knowingly and causing pain to the child.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Child Abuse, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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