Child Abuse is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person puts a child in danger of injury or neglect. A mother was recently charged with Child Abuse after her daughter was bitten in the face by the family dog. According to the report, the 8-year-old daughter required 27 stitches on her cheek, chin and near her eye. Now, why is the mother being held responsible for the actions of a dog? Likely, it is because this is not the first time. Apparently, the dog has bitten the same girl in the past and has bitten other children. The mother is being charged for allowing her child to be in a dangerous situation, knowing that the animal has a propensity to bite.
Larimer County Child Abuse Attorney: Definition of Child Abuse in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Child Abuse – C.R.S. 18-6-401 – is:
Because this had happened before, it’s likely that the DA would argue that allowing the dog to be near the child put the child at risk of injury.
Sentence for Child Abuse in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Child Abuse is charged based on the intent and level of injury sustained by the child. Here is a chart outlining the different charges:
|
Child Abuse Crime Classifications and Charges |
|
|
Acting knowingly or recklessly resulting in death to the child |
Class 2 felony |
|
Acting with criminal negligence resulting in death to the child |
Class 3 felony |
|
Acting knowingly or recklessly with serious bodily injury |
Class 4 felony |
|
Acting knowingly or recklessly with an injury other than serious bodily injury |
Class 1 misdemeanor |
|
Acting with criminal negligence with any injury other than serious bodily injury |
Class 2 misdemeanor |
|
Acting knowingly or recklessly with no injury |
Class 2 misdemeanor |
|
Acting with criminal negligence with no injury |
Class 3 misdemeanor |
Based on the information provided in the article, the daughter’s injury could be considered serious bodily injury. She sustained scars on her face and permanent damage to her tear ducts – which meets the standard of serious bodily injury. Because the dog has bitten others, it’s likely that the mother will be charged for knowingly allowing her daughter to be in a dangerous situation. This means the mother could be facing a class 4 felony charge of Child Abuse.
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 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Mike Burke on Unsplash