In Muskogee, Oklahoma, child abuse is a serious crime, even if you aren’t the abuser.
Caregivers and parents can be criminally liable for child abuse if they simply enable it.
If you’ve been accused of or charged with enabling child abuse by injury in Oklahoma, contact an experienced Muskogee child abuse defense attorney as soon as possible.
Enabling Child Abuse by Injury in Oklahoma
Child abuse in Oklahoma includes the infliction of physical pain or injury on a child. However, permitting abuse may also lead to a criminal charge if the defendant willfully or maliciously engaged in enabling child abuse.
“Enabling child abuse” means the causing, procuring or permitting child abuse.
“Permit” means to authorize or allow for the care of a child by an individual when the person authorizing or allowing such care knows or reasonably should know that the child will be placed at risk of abuse.
Therefore, if, for example, a mother allows her boyfriend to babysit her young child knowing he will abuse the child, she is also criminally responsible for enabling child abuse by injury in Oklahoma.
A defendant may assert that she did not know of the abuse as a defense.
Penalties for enabling child abuse by injury in Oklahoma range from one year to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the abuse and the circumstances of the case.
Convicted defendants may also be required to pay up to $5,000 in fines.
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Child Abuse Defense Attorney
Any conviction related to child abuse can severely impact your life beyond the lengthy prison sentences and fines.
If you or someone you know is charged with enabling child abuse by injury in Oklahoma, contact an experienced Muskogee criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Call the Wirth Law Office-Muskogee today at 918-913-0725, or toll-free at 1-888-447-7262 [Wirth Law].
