Child negligence refers to the careless treatment of a child, which includes failing to provide enough food, clothes, shelter, or medical attention. It occurs when someone hurts a child or threatens to hurt one. Furthermore, the harm resulted from neglecting or putting the child in danger. This includes failing to provide for your child or failing to interfere when another person is endangering your child.
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Learn more about child negligence in Michigan.
What To Do When Charged With Child Negligence?
If you are accused of or charged with child negligence in Michigan, you should immediately contact an expert defense attorney. Child negligence allegations can get you imprisoned and keep you from your family and kids. When it comes to child neglect cases, the sooner you hire a competent lawyer, the better.
If you are charged with child negligence, you could lose your parental rights and go to jail. Prosecutors and Child Protective Services (CPS) frequently target parents in child abuse and neglect cases. Many forces are fighting against you in a CPS case. This includes the prosecutor, the CPS investigator, social workers, the guardian ad litem, and occasionally even court-appointed medical professionals.
The odds are against the parents, which makes it even more crucial that they hire a reputed and experienced defense lawyer. Your lawyer will be by your side throughout the process, helping you develop a solid legal defense.
Child Negligence Penalties in Michigan
If CPS finds child negligence, it will issue a severity rating of I-IV to the allegation. The most serious categories are I and II. If a complaint is classified as Category I or II, the perpetrator’s name will be added to the state’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. It will be taken off the list if the state rejects the petition or if a court or jury deems the allegations untrue.
The CPS may recommend or request services in any category. Services may include:
- Parenting classes
- Family violence assistance
- Help with a drug or alcohol issue
- Job training and placement services
- Assistance with mental health issues
- Counseling to control anger, stress, etc.
- Help with developmental issues (Early On program)
If CPS determines that more serious action is required to keep the child safe, CPS may file a motion with the court. The petition initiates a court proceeding for child protection. A child protective proceeding differs from a criminal case. Because it is a continuous process, if CPS makes new petitions, they can be appended to the same case rather than launching new court cases.
While most petitions are filed by CPS, anyone can do so if they know a child who needs the court’s protection. The petition may request that the court perform one or more of the following:
- Order the family to work with in-home services
- Order the alleged abuser or neglecter to leave home
- Order that the child be removed from the property
- Remove parental rights in cases of serious abuse
Employ the Services of a Michigan Defense Attorney Today
Child negligence is a grave allegation that can put you in jail and cause you to lose custody of your child. Contact the Goldman and Associates team now if you need assistance defending yourself against criminal negligence claims and proving your innocence. Click here to set up an appointment.