Putting a child in a situation where they could be injured is charged as Child Abuse in Fort Collins and Larimer County, no matter if it resulted in any injury or not. A grandmother has been charged with Child Abuse for leaving her special needs grandson unattended at a rest stop. According to the report, the boy was found at the rest stop, unable to talk with no identification. Law enforcement had to post the boy’s picture on social media to get clues about who the boy is and how to contact his next of kin. Through investigation, the grandmother was identified as the person who left the boy alone, so she was charged with Child Abuse.
Larimer County Child Abuse Lawyer: Definition of Child Abuse in Boulder
The Larimer and Boulder County, Colorado law definition of Child Abuse – C.R.S. 18-6-401 – is:
Because the grandma is accused of abandoning the child, which was a dangerous situation and could have resulted in injury for the child, the woman was arrested for Child Abuse.
Sentence for ABandonment at a Rest Stop Child Abuse in Fort Collins and Loveland
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Child Abuse can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the intent and the injury sustained:
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Child Abuse Crime Classifications and Charges |
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Acting knowingly or recklessly resulting in death to the child |
Class 2 felony |
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Acting with criminal negligence resulting in death to the child |
Class 3 felony |
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Acting knowingly or recklessly with serious bodily injury |
Class 4 felony |
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Acting knowingly or recklessly with an injury other than serious bodily injury |
Class 1 misdemeanor |
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Acting with criminal negligence with any injury other than serious bodily injury |
Class 2 misdemeanor |
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Acting knowingly or recklessly with no injury |
Class 2 misdemeanor |
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Acting with criminal negligence with no injury |
Class 3 misdemeanor |
It’s likely that the grandma would be facing the class 2 misdemeanor because no injury resulted.
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 970-658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Juan Fernandez on Unsplash