{"id":372257,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-08-14T12:26:00","modified_gmt":"2018-08-14T17:26:00","slug":"district-of-columbia-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In the District of Columbia, child abuse or neglect<\/a> occurs when a child is mistreated, resulting in injury or risk of harm. Mistreatment includes the infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child, including excessive corporal punishment, an act of sexual abuse, molestation, exploitation, or injury that results from exposure to drug-related activity.<\/p>\r\n

District of Columbia Mandatory Reporting Requirements<\/h2>\r\n

Certain people – known as mandatory reporters<\/a> – are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect. D.C. law requires people in certain professions, such as doctors and teachers, to report whenever they know or suspect a child is experiencing abuse or neglect. Any mandatory reporter who willfully fails to make such a report<\/a> can be imprisoned for up to 180 days and\/or fined based on the provisions in Section 22-3571.01<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

How to Report Child Abuse in D.C.<\/h2>\r\n

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, or is at risk of abuse or neglect, you should make a report to the Metropolitan Police Department<\/a>, the 911 Emergency Call Center<\/a>, or the Child and Family Services Agency<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

District of Columbia Child Abuse Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

While it’s important to read the actual language of the law when you have a legal question, it can also be useful to read an overview of the law. In the following chart, you have access to both – an overview of child abuse laws in D.C. as well as links to relevant statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n

District of Columbia Code Division IV, Title 22, Subtitle I, Chapter 11:<\/p>\r\n

Cruelty to Children<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

It’s cruelty to children in the first degree<\/i> to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly beat, torture, or otherwise willfully mistreat a child under 18 years old or engage in conduct which creates a serious risk of physical injury to a child, and in so doing causes physical injury.<\/p>\r\n

It’s cruelty to children in the second degree<\/i> to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Mistreat a child or engage in conduct that puts a child in serious risk of physical injury; or\r\n
  • Expose a child, or aid and abet in exposing a child in any highway, street, field house, outhouse or other place, with intent to abandon the child.\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Refusal or Neglect by Parent or Guardian<\/b><\/td>\r\n

It’s unlawful for a parent or guardian (with sufficient financial ability) to refuse or neglect to provide food, clothing, and shelter that would prevent the suffering and secure the safety of their child under the age of 14.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Cruelty to children in the first degree<\/i> is punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years.<\/p>\r\n

Cruelty to children in the second degree<\/i> is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years.<\/p>\r\n

Refusal or neglect by parent or guardian<\/i> is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the Workhouse of the District of Columbia for up to 3 months.<\/p>\r\n

Note<\/b>: Fines as set forth in Section 22-3571.01 can be imposed in addition to or instead of imprisonment for each of these crimes.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n

District of Columbia Code:<\/p>\r\n