Legal Definitions - felony injury to a child

Definition: Felony injury to a child is when someone causes or allows a child to suffer in a way that could seriously hurt or kill them. It can also be when someone hurts a child in a way that is not necessary or causes them mental suffering.

Examples:

• A parent who repeatedly hits their child with a belt, leaving bruises and marks.
• A caregiver who leaves a child alone in a hot car for an extended period of time, putting them at risk of heatstroke.
• An adult who sexually abuses a child.

These examples illustrate felony injury to a child because they all involve situations where a child is being harmed in a way that could cause serious injury or death. The first example involves physical abuse, which can cause serious harm to a child's body. The second example involves neglect, which can also cause harm to a child's body. The third example involves sexual abuse, which can cause both physical and mental harm to a child.