Caring for children is an exhausting job. It’s no wonder that parents tend to nap when their child is napping – get all the sleep you can while you can, right? Well, one uncle seemed to find caring for his nephew a draining experienced and his nap landed him with criminal charges. According to the news report, the uncle was watching his sister’s children when he fell asleep. His 2-year-old nephew was found naked a few blocks away. When police arrived at the house, the front door was unlocked and wide open. Apparently, sleeping is not a good defense, because the man was arrested and charged with Child Abuse.
Weld County Child Abuse Attorney | What is the Definition?
The Colorado law definition of Child Abuse in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County – C.R.S. 18-6-401 – is:
Because the uncle left the young boy unsupervised (or the boy left the uncle’s supervision), the DA would argue the child was put in a situation that posed a threat of injury. Any number of things could have happened to that child after he left the house, thus the uncle was charged.
Have you been charged with Child Abuse? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Have you been charged with Child Abuse? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Greeley Child Abuse Sentence / Punishment Ranges for a Napping Uncle
Child abuse can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the intent and level of injury sustained:
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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 |
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When a person acts with criminal negligence and the child abuse results in death to the child |
Class 3 felony Child Abuse |
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When the person acts knowingly or recklessly and the child abuse results in serious bodily injury |
Class 4 felony Child Abuse |
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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 |
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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 |
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When the person acts knowingly or recklessly and no injury results |
Class 2 misdemeanor Child Abuse |
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When the person acts with criminal negligence and no injury results |
Class 3 misdemeanor Child Abuse |
Most often, in Greeley, Erie, and Evans, when you hear the words Child Abuse you assume some sort of injury or purposeful conduct is involved. This is not at all the case. If there was even a chance that an injury could have occurred, Child Abuse is charged. This is the case with the uncle from the story above. He would be facing a class 2 or class 3 misdemeanor depending on whether his actions were deemed intentional or not.
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 today. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – Susbany