{"id":373521,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:21","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-26T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T06:00:00","slug":"kentucky-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Kentucky Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\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

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Kentucky law categorizes child abuse into three degrees based on the perpetrator’s mental state and actions. In Kentucky, everyone is mandated to report suspected abuse\u2014not just certain professionals. Failure to report to social services or appropriate agency can lead to serious legal consequences.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Child abuse is a serious crime in all 50 states. This article outlines child abuse and neglect laws in Kentucky. You\u2019ll find information on how state laws define child abuse, penalties, mandated reporting, and more.<\/p>\n

The chart on this page links to the specific statutes regarding child abuse and neglect.<\/p>\n

Definitions of Child Abuse Laws in Kentucky<\/h2>\n

Kentucky child abuse law (KRS 600.020) defines abuse<\/a> as intentionally, wantonly, or recklessly causing harm to a child under 12 or a physically or mentally helpless individual. See the chart below for more information.<\/p>\n

Child Abuse Penalties in Kentucky<\/h2>\n

Child or criminal abuse convictions carry serious penalties\u2014up to 10 years in prison and fines of $10,000 or more. See the chart below for varying charge classifications and penalties.<\/p>\n

Chart of Kentucky Child Abuse and Neglect Laws<\/h2>\n

The table below houses detailed information on child abuse crimes and reporting laws in Kentucky. Follow the links to see the Kentucky statutes in their entirety.<\/p>\n\n
Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\n

Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Sections:<\/p>\n

508.100 \u2013 Criminal Abuse in the First Degree<\/a>
\n508.110 \u2013 Criminal Abuse in the Second Degree<\/a>
\n508.120 \u2013 Criminal Abuse in the Third Degree<\/a>
\nChapter 620 \u2013 Dependency, Neglect, and Abuse<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

What Constitutes Abuse?<\/b><\/td>\n

Criminal (child) abuse is divided into three degrees based on the mental state during the abuse:<\/p>\n

First Degree<\/b><\/u> \u2013 Intentionally doing any of the following to a person under 12 or who\u2019s physically or mentally helpless or permitting another to do so when the defendant has custody of the child or disabled adult:<\/span><\/p>\n

Criminal Penalty for Child Abuse<\/b><\/td>\n

Crimes in Kentucky are punished based on the felony or misdemeanor assault level. Child or criminal abuse is punished by degree as follows:<\/p>\n

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse<\/b><\/td>\nKentucky requires everyone, regardless of their job, to report abuse<\/a>. It also has laws requiring people in certain jobs (doctors, nurses, law enforcement, childcare workers, school personnel, social workers, etc.) to report suspected abuse.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Basis of Report of Abuse or Neglect<\/b><\/td>\nYou must report child abuse<\/a> if you know or have reasonable cause to believe that the child is being neglected, abused, dependent, or the victim of human trafficking (forced into labor or sexual slavery).<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Where to Report Child Abuse<\/b><\/td>\n

Call the hotline at 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331) to report report child abuse, neglect, or dependency. You can also report abuse online through the Kentucky Child\/Adult Protective Services Reporting System<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For emergencies, please call 911.<\/p>\n

You can also report suspected abuse to the following providers:<\/p>\n

Penalty for Failure to Report
\n <\/b><\/td>\n		Intentionally failing to report child abuse is a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, a Class A misdemeanor for the second offense, and a Class D Felony for each subsequent offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

If you\u2019re facing a child abuse criminal charge, you should speak to an experienced Kentucky criminal defense lawyer<\/a> as soon as possible. Alternatively, if you\u2019ve been accused of abusing your child by the state child protection workers and need to go to dependency court to defend yourself, you should consult with experienced Kentucky family law attorneys<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Note: Because state laws change regularly, it\u2019s important to verify the laws you\u2019re researching by conducting your own legal research or contacting a knowledgeable attorney.<\/i><\/p>\n

Kentucky Child Abuse Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\n