Do I Need an Okmulgee Attorney for a Child Abuse Oklahoma Charge?

It is vital to understand what constitutes child abuse in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, especially if you or someone you know is being investigated.

When child abuse Oklahoma is reported and investigated by the authorities, it can have devastating consequences for the family. Children are removed from the home during the investigation. If the caregiver or caregivers are convicted of child abuse Oklahoma, the caregivers may be incarcerated for a prolonged period of time.

What is Child Abuse Oklahoma?

Under Oklahoma law, “child abuse” is the willful/malicious harm or threat of harm or failure to protect from harm or the willful injuring, torturing, or maiming of a child under the age of 18.

The failure of a caregiver to protect a child from abuse is treated just as culpably under the law as the actual abuse. Any person who enables the abuse, defined as causing, procuring, or permitting, is equally culpable under the law.

To permit child abuse Oklahoma means that the parent allows the child to be in the care of someone whom the parent knows or reasonably should know places the child at risk of abuse. The penalty is severe — the possibility of life in prison.

A parent may discipline a child using spanking, switching, or paddling. However, if the spankings are frequent, cause pain, or leave marks, the parent may be guilty of child abuse.

These cases are fact bound and the judge or jury makes the determination of whether the actions amounted to child abuse.

What is Child Neglect in Okmulgee?

Legally, child neglect is treated in the same manner as child abuse.

In Okmulgee, child neglect includes the failure of a parent to provide sufficient nurturance and basic food, clothing, education, medical, dental, or behavioral health care, or supervision. It also includes the parent allowing the use, possession, sale, or manufacture of illegal drugs, any illegal activities, sexual acts, or pornography.

Child neglect in Oklahoma also includes child abandonment. Again, these are often fact-bound cases.