From Boondoggle
In the United States, charges for intentionally endangering the life of a child are primarily prosecuted under
state law, not federal law, unless the crime occurs on federal property or involves interstate activity. The specific charge and penalty depend heavily on the state and the severity of the offense.
State-Level Charges and Penalties
Every state has laws against child endangerment, abuse, and neglect, though the statutes and potential sentences vary significantly.
Nature of the Charge: Intentionally endangering a child can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether the child suffered actual harm and the level of risk created.
Key Elements: Prosecutors must generally prove the defendant knowingly or recklessly acted in a manner that created a substantial risk to the child's life, body, or health.
Penalties:
Misdemeanor convictions often result in up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000 or more.
Felony convictions are more serious, carrying potential prison sentences of 1 to 10 years or more, and fines up to $10,000 or more.
If the offense results in serious bodily injury or the death of the child, penalties can be significantly enhanced, sometimes leading to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Convicted individuals may also face additional consequences such as court-ordered counseling, probation, and the termination of parental rights.
Federal-Level Involvement
Federal authorities generally only get involved in specific circumstances, such as:
The crime occurs on federal property (like a military base or Native American reservation).
The activity involves the transportation of a child across state or international lines for exploitation.
The case is part of a larger criminal enterprise that crosses state lines.
Federal laws addressing child abuse and endangerment include the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which provides a federal definition of abuse/neglect and funding to states, but most cases are prosecuted locally. The U.S. Code includes provisions for child endangerment specifically within military law (Article 119b of the UCMJ).
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, you should immediately report it to your local child protective services agency or law enforcement