Child Abuse Charges

Types of Child Abuse

In Maryland, a person can be charged with child abuse based on several types of actions.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves intentionally causing physical harm to a child. Visible injuries often lead to these charges, but non-visible harm may also qualify.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse refers to repeated verbal assaults, humiliation, threats, or other behavior that severely affects a child's mental health.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse charges include any sexual contact or conduct involving a minor, such as inappropriate touching or exposing a child to sexual material.

Neglect

Failing to provide for a child's basic needs, such as food, shelter, supervision, or medical care, constitutes neglect.

A child abuse and neglect lawyer in Owings Mills could investigate your case and start building a strong defense strategy to protect your rights.

Different Degrees of Child Abuse  

Potential penalties for child abuse depend on the circumstances of the specific case. Different degrees of abuse include:

First-Degree Abuse

First-degree child abuse occurs when the actions of a person responsible for the minor, such as a parent, guardian, family member, or household member, result in severe physical injury or death. Severe physical injury refers to injuries that create a substantial risk of death or cause permanent damage to a child.

This crime is a felony and can carry up to 25 years in prison. If a child of 13 years of age or older dies, the sentence can increase to 40 years in prison. If a child younger than 13 dies, the offender may face life in prison.

Second-Degree Abuse

Second-degree child abuse applies when a caretaker causes physical injury to a minor through cruel or malicious acts.  This charge is also a felony and comes with up to 15 years in prison. If the offender has a previous conviction, the sentence may increase to 25 years.

An experienced child abuse lawyer in Owings Mills could evaluate your situation to determine what charges you may be accused of and the penalties you can expect to face as a result.

Defenses in a Child Abuse Case

Child abuse charges do not always lead to a conviction. An Owings Mills child abuse attorney could form a strong defense that reduces the charges against you or removes them entirely. Some of the most common types of defenses include:

• False accusations

• Lack of intent

• Accidental injury

• Insufficient evidence

• Medical or health-related explanation

• Witness credibility issues

• Constitutional violations

• Improper investigation or procedure

Depending on the case, your attorney could use one or more approaches to help you avoid maximum penalties.