{"id":374080,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-03-12T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T05:00:00","slug":"michigan-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Michigan Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/natalie-moritz\/\">Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            March 12, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Child abuse in Michigan is defined under several degrees, each reflecting the severity of harm inflicted or risk posed to the child. Each degree carries specific legal penalties, escalating in severity from misdemeanors to potential life sentences for first-degree abuse.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child is a serious crime in Michigan carrying criminal charges and severe penalties.<\/p>\r\n<p>Understanding the statutes governing child abuse and neglect can be overwhelming. Contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan criminal defense attorney<\/a> to learn more about what these laws mean and how they may apply to your situation.<\/p>\r\n<p>This article overviews child abuse and neglect laws in Michigan, including definitions, mandatory reporting, and penalties. Use the links in the chart to see the full statutes related to these laws.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Child Abuse and Child Neglect in Michigan<\/h2>\r\n<p>Both child abuse and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/child-neglect.html\">child neglect<\/a> are illegal in Michigan. Child neglect means negligent treatment of a child, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Who is a Mandated Reporter in Michigan?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Most states have &quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-abuse\/checklist-are-you-a-mandatory-reporter-of-child-abuse.html\">mandatory reporter<\/a>&quot; laws, which require certain professionals (like doctors and teachers) with regular access to children to report signs of abuse to the proper authorities. Michigan child abuse law also lists the following professions as mandatory reporters:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Dentists<\/li>\r\n<li>Social workers and other social services workers<\/li>\r\n<li>Childcare providers<\/li>\r\n<li>Mental health professionals<\/li>\r\n<li>Law enforcement officers<\/li>\r\n<li>Clergy members<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>See the statute for a <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-722-children\/mi-comp-laws-722-623.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full list of mandated reporters<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2>How To Report Abuse or Neglect in Michigan<\/h2>\r\n<p>Mandated reporters with reasonable cause to suspect child neglect or abuse must make a report immediately.<\/p>\r\n<p>Report suspected abuse to 855-444-3911 or using <a href=\"https:\/\/newmibridges.michigan.gov\/s\/isd-partnershiplanding?language=en_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan\u2019s online reporting system<\/a>. If you report using the telephone hotline, you must also complete a written report using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/mdhhs\/adult-child-serv\/abuse-neglect\/childrens\/mandated-reporters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Form DHS-3200<\/a> within 72 hours of your oral report. If you use the online reporting system, filing Form DHS-3200 is not necessary.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Responsible Agency for Investigating Child Abuse Claims in the State of Michigan<\/h2>\r\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/mdhhs\/adult-child-serv\/abuse-neglect\/childrens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Children&#8217;s Protective Services<\/a> (CPS) is responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. CPS also manages the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/mdhhs\/adult-child-serv\/abuse-neglect\/childrens\/central-registry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Central Registry<\/a>, which contains names of perpetrators related to confirmed cases involving:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Methamphetamine&nbsp;production<\/li>\r\n<li>Serious abuse or neglect<\/li>\r\n<li>Sexual abuse<\/li>\r\n<li>Sexual&nbsp;exploitation<\/li>\r\n<li>Select criminal&nbsp;convictions involving children<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Michigan Child Abuse Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n<p>The following chart summarizes Michigan child abuse laws and who the law designates as mandatory reporters. Follow the links for the full statutes.<\/p>\r\n<p>See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/child-abuse-overview.html\">Child Abuse Overview<\/a> for general information about this crime.<\/p>\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"7\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody><tr><td><b>Statute<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td>Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL)&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-750-michigan-penal-code\/mi-comp-laws-750-136b.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 750.136b<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td>Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-722-children\/mi-comp-laws-722-621.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 722.61<\/a>, et seq. Child Protection Law<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>What Constitutes Child Abuse?<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p><b>First degree child abuse:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>Knowingly or intentionally causing serious physical or mental harm.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Second degree child abuse:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Neglecting a child or acting in a reckless manner that results in serious physical or mental harm;<\/li>\r\n<li>Knowingly or intentionally committing an act that&#8217;s likely to cause serious physical or mental harm, regardless of whether harm actually results.<\/li>\r\n<li>Knowingly or intentionally committing an act that&#8217;s cruel, regardless of whether harm actually results.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Third degree child abuse:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Knowingly or intentionally causing physical harm; or<\/li>\r\n<li>Knowingly or intentionally acting in a manner that poses an unreasonable risk of harm, which results in physical harm.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Fourth degree child abuse:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Neglecting a child or acting in a reckless manner that causes physical harm; or<\/li>\r\n<li>Knowingly or intentionally committing an act that poses an unreasonable risk of harm, regardless of whether physical harm results.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-750-michigan-penal-code\/mi-comp-laws-750-136b.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MCL Section 750.136b<\/a><br>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-722-children\/mi-comp-laws-722-622.html\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255,255,255);\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MCL Section 722.622<\/a><br>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-722-children\/mi-comp-laws-722-628\/\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255,255,255);\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MCL Section 722.628<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cChild abuse\u201d means harm or threatened harm to a child&#8217;s health or welfare that occurs through nonaccidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment by a:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child&#8217;s health or welfare; or<\/li>\r\n<li>Teacher, teacher&#8217;s aide, member of the clergy, or any adult involved with a youth program.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>\u201cSerious abuse or neglect\u201d means a confirmed case of mental or physical injury or neglect to a child that involves any of the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Battering, torture, or other serious physical harm<\/li>\r\n<li>Loss or serious impairment of an organ or limb<\/li>\r\n<li>Life-threatening injury<\/li>\r\n<li>Murder or attempted murder<\/li>\r\n<li>Serious mental harm<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p><b>First degree child abuse<\/b> is a felony punishable by a prison term up to and including life.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Second degree child abuse<\/b> is a felony punishable by not more than 10 years in prison for the first offense, and not more than 20 years in prison for subsequent offenses.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Third degree child abuse<\/b> is felony punishable by not more than two years in prison.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Fourth degree child abuse <\/b>is a misdemeanor punishable by not more than one year in prison.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Mandatory Reporting Required By<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td>Listed in <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mi\/chapter-722-children\/mi-comp-laws-722-623.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 722.623<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Penalties for Failure to Report or False Reporting<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td><p><b>Failure to Report by Mandatory Reporter:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Civilly liable for proximately caused damages.<\/li>\r\n<li>Guilty of misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in jail and\/or fine of not more than $100.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Intentionally Making a False Report:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If abuse would constitute misdemeanor or wouldn&#8217;t constitute a crime if the report were true: it&#8217;s a misdemeanor punishable by not more than 93 days in jail and\/or a fine of not more than $100.<\/li>\r\n<li>If abuse would constitute felony if the report were true: it&#8217;s a felony punishable by either the penalty of the child abuse or not more than 4 years in prison and\/or a fine of not more than $2,000 (whichever is the lesser penalty).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>consult an attorney<\/i><\/a><i> or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2>Michigan Child Abuse Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\r\n<p>Use the links below to learn more about child abuse and neglect in Michigan:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law.html\">Michigan Law<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/family-laws\/child-abuse.html\">State Child Abuse Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/child-abuse-penalties-and-sentencing.html\">Child Abuse Penalties and Sentencing<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/mdhhs\/adult-child-serv\/abuse-neglect\/childrens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan Department of Health and Human Services\u2014Children\u2019s Protective Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/preventchildabuse.org\/chapters\/michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prevent Child Abuse Michigan<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Child Abuse Charge in Michigan? Get Legal Help<\/h2>\r\n<p>Child abuse is a serious crime carrying severe penalties, including jail time. You can also face other legal consequences, including losing your parental rights. If you&#8217;ve been charged with child abuse under Michigan&#8217;s laws, it&#8217;s in your best interests to speak to a local <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/michigan\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>. An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path 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class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                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     class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw details Michigan child abuse and neglect laws. 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