Endangering the Welfare of a Child
The state of Delaware makes it a crime to put a child in harm's way, either in imminent physical danger or by subjecting the child to emotional or psychological harm. The criminal charges are a high level misdemeanor or felony with the possibility of jail time as well as a permanent listing on the state's Child Protection Registry.
My name is Francis Farren, a criminal defense lawyer representing the accused in the Newark area and statewide Delaware. If you are charged with endangering the welfare of a child, I can offer the experienced and dedicated advocacy you will need. Contact me today to set up a free initial consultation.
Delaware Child Endangerment Lawyer
Endangering the welfare of a child can refer to any actions that present a serious risk or imminent danger to a child's physical, mental or emotional well-being, such as:
- Domestic violence against a spouse/partner in the presence of a child
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol with children on board
- Drug transactions or criminal activity when a child is present
- Leaving a loaded firearm within reach of a child
- Leaving a child alone with a known sex offender
The base charge of child welfare endangerment is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by fines of up to $2,300 and/or jail time of up to one year.
If an adult's negligence or indifference to safety results in physical injury to a child, when serious injury is caused to the child, or when the child becomes a victim to a sexual offense as defined in 11 Del.C. §761(g), it rises to a class G felony with a possible prison sentence of 2 years. If the endangering behavior led to a child's death, the charge becomes a class E felony with a possible prison sentence of 5 years.
Fighting for Your Freedom and Future
Child endangerment is often charged with other offenses. Before private practice, I prosecuted hundreds of cases as a deputy attorney general in New Castle and Kent counties, so I know how to respond to the allegations.
I work to convince the local prosecutor to focus on the underlying charge (DUI, assault, etc.) and drop the endangerment charge if the child suffered no actual harm. In the case of injury or death, I make every effort to spare my client from prison time, through negotiations or at trial.
Child Abuse Registry
Any domestic violence conviction (abuse of a child or assault in the presence of a child) can result in being put on the Delaware Child Protection Registry. This can be a kiss of death for employment, especially for hospital workers, day care workers or teachers. I will exhaust every avenue to keep my clients off this list. [See more about DSCYF child abuse registry.]
Call 866-603-4647 to schedule a free, in-office consultation with a Delaware child endangerment defense lawyer.
