Waco Child Endangerment Lawyer

An arrest for offenses involving your children is nothing short of overwhelming. In Texas, child endangerment cases involve children under 15 and the alleged defendant’s actions or lack of actions placing them in harm’s way.

If you face these severe charges, preparing a powerful defense against them is essential. Contact a Waco child endangerment lawyer if you need legal advice. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys could assemble a solid case on your behalf.

Understanding Child Endangerment

Anyone who knowingly, intentionally, recklessly, or with criminal negligence places children in imminent danger of severe bodily injury and death is guilty of child endangerment. Imminent danger means the situation threatens their safety, including their mental and psychological well-being.

Examples of Causes for Arrest

Situations that could warrant an arrest for child endangerment in Texas include the following:

• Leaving young children home alone and without supervision;
• Driving after drinking over the legal limit of alcohol with children in the car;
• Leaving young children in a hot car;
• Neglecting to seek adequate medical care when children are sick;
• Placing children in dangerous situations, such as around illicit drug use or manufacturing; and
• Leaving children with a neglectful or abusive babysitter.

A Waco child endangerment attorney could answer specific questions about your case and the process during an initial consultation.

What is Child Abandonment?

Child abandonment is a severe type of abuse where parents or guardians completely vacate their responsibilities to care for the minors in their care. Some examples include:

• Dropping a child off with a babysitter, school, or daycare center and neglecting to return to pick them up;
• Leaving a newborn baby at a fire station or hospital;
• Leaving young children with a stranger; and
• Leaving young children alone at a public location.

Any parent can face charges for child abandonment if the state determines they deserted them by failing to provide the physical and emotional support and care they need.

Child Protective Services

After an arrest for endangering minors, the police department or other institution, such as a school or doctor, alerts the local Child Protective Services agency or CPS. The agency provides resources and assistance to help care for children after abuse or abandonment.

Penalties for a Conviction

Sentencing for a conviction for child endangerment or abandonment is a felony offense, and the penalties can range substantially, depending on the specifics. According to the Texas Penal Code § 22.041, while a conviction for a state jail felony may result in serving 180 days to two years, a third-degree felony is punishable by two to 10 years of imprisonment.

A second-degree child endangerment offense is punishable by up to 20 years of incarceration and $10,000 in fines. A solid defense strategy is crucial to overcome charges or decrease penalties. A child endangerment lawyer in Waco could help prepare a defense strategy and fight for your freedom inside and outside the courtroom.

Contact a Knowledgeable Child Endangerment Attorney in Waco

A conviction for child endangerment can not only result in steep fines and time in jail but can also ruin your reputation. A guilty conviction could also have lasting consequences on your relationship with your children.

A Waco child endangerment lawyer could investigate the cause for the arrest and review the state’s evidence to help strategize a winning defense. Call today to schedule a consultation to review your case and potential defense options.