When you hear about instances of Child Abuse in Fort Collins and Larimer County, the first reaction is usually disgust. Society as a whole has a disdain for those who harm children. But, it is important to understand the laws regarding children in the state of Colorado. A person could be accused of Child Abuse for doing what they believe is right for their child, such as keeping them home from school, or not giving them medication they believe will harm them. There are also instances where a person will be accused of Child Abuse after an unfortunate accident which put their child’s life or health in danger. Let’s look at the statute for this criminal offense in Colorado:
What is Child Abuse in Loveland, Estes Park, and Fort Collins?
Child Abuse – C.R.S. 18-6-401 is charged whenever a person:
The statute goes on to list other instances of Child Abuse, such as manufacturing or possessing drugs in the same house or car as children. Now that we know what Child Abuse is, let’s look at a few circumstances where people have been charged with this crime:
Examples of Child Abuse Cases Which Don’t Involve Injury
We have seen cases where children were in the house when the parents were having an argument. Things escalate and the police get involved. Maybe the dad ends up getting charged with Harassment for yelling or Criminal Mischief for breaking the TV remote. Even though the children were not a part of the situation, because they were present in the home at the time another ‘crime’ was committed, Child Abuse charges will be added.
We have seen medical cases like one where a young woman was diagnosed with a disease, and a certain medication was prescribed to treat her. But, another set of doctors determined the symptoms of the disease were all in her head, and told the family to remove her from the medication. When the family returned to the original doctor to resume treatment with medication, the other hospital called the police. The young woman was removed from her family’s care after the hospital accused her parents of Child Abuse. The ongoing legal battle has been watched by the nation. This kind of abuse by the government is wrong – we all need to be aware of the fact that the government is far too involved in our private lives.
Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer if You Have Been Accused of Child Abuse
If you are facing charges of Child Abuse, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced criminal attorney. You could be facing charges because of an accident, or because you have different beliefs than the government. No injury has to occur in order to be charged with this crime in Loveland, Fort Collins, or Estes Park. Because of this, it is vital to work with a lawyer who has the knowledge and skill to fight for you and your family’s future.
If you or a loved one has been contacted by the police regarding Child Abuse charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.
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