{"id":374220,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-27T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T06:00:00","slug":"minnesota-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota 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\">Minnesota 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                            February 27, 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>Minnesota law defines child abuse as intentional physical or mental injury or neglect inflicted on a child by a caregiver. State law also names mandated reporters responsible for reporting suspected abuse. Minnesota child abuse charges and penalties vary from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the severity of the offense.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Child abuse is a serious crime in every state, including Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), the state receives approximately <a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/dhs\/people-we-serve\/children-and-families\/services\/child-protection\/programs-services\/investigation-response.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1,800 reports<\/a> of child abuse or neglect annually.<\/p>\n<p>This article details child abuse and neglect laws in Minnesota. Learn how the state defines child abuse, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-abuse\/checklist-are-you-a-mandatory-reporter-of-child-abuse.html\">mandated reporting<\/a>, penalties, and more.<\/p>\n<h2>How Minnesota Law Defines Child Abuse<\/h2>\n<p>State law <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-378.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">defines child abuse<\/a> as an intentional injury (either mental or physical) including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Deprivation<\/li>\n<li>Sexual abuse<\/li>\n<li>Neglect<\/li>\n<li>Abandonment<\/li>\n<li>Unreasonable disciplinary methods<\/li>\n<li>Solicitation of children for sex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Parents are free to use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/education\/student-conduct-and-discipline\/state-laws-regarding-corporal-punishment.html\">corporal punishment<\/a> on their children. But, it may not involve kicking, striking with a closed fist, threatening a child with a weapon, or other such acts.<\/p>\n<h2>Mandated Reporting in Minnesota<\/h2>\n<p>A mandated reporter is an adult\u2014typically one with regular access to children\u2014who is required by law to report any credible signs of child abuse to state authorities. <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/public-welfare-and-related-activities-ch-245-267\/mn-st-sect-260e-06\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minnesota law<\/a> specifically designates who is a mandatory reporter, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Social workers<\/li>\n<li>Teachers<\/li>\n<li>Medical professionals<\/li>\n<li>Mental health providers<\/li>\n<li>Law enforcement<\/li>\n<li>Child care workers<\/li>\n<li>Clergy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In Minnesota, people in certain professions are required to<i> <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/public-welfare-and-related-activities-ch-245-267\/mn-st-sect-260e-06\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report the maltreatment of minors<\/a><i>. <\/i>But, everyone\u2014including friends, family, and neighbors\u2014is urged to make a report if they suspect abuse or neglect. Reports are confidential unless the family gets a court order.<\/p>\n<p>Failure to report is usually charged as a misdemeanor. Minnesota provides a very helpful <a href=\"https:\/\/edocs.dhs.state.mn.us\/lfserver\/Public\/DHS-2917-ENG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide for mandated reporters<\/a> of suspected child maltreatment or abuse.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect of a Child in Minnesota<\/h2>\n<p>If you suspect abuse or neglect, <a>immediately report it<\/a> to any of the following agencies in the jurisdiction where the child lives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Local <a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/dhs\/people-we-serve\/children-and-families\/services\/child-protection\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social services agency<\/a> or agency responsible for reviewing or addressing the report<\/li>\n<li>Law enforcement, including your local police department or county sheriff<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/dhs\/people-we-serve\/children-and-families\/services\/child-protection\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tribal social services agency<\/a> or tribal police department<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Workers from child protection services assess and address reports. Reports involving children in significant or immediate danger are escalated using a <a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/dhs\/people-we-serve\/children-and-families\/services\/child-protection\/programs-services\/investigation-response.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Investigation<\/a> response. Families who do not participate in interventions or take appropriate steps to ensure their children\u2019s safety are also escalated to a Family Investigation response.<\/p>\n<h2>Summary of Minnesota Child Abuse Laws<\/h2>\n<p>The following table provides an overview of child abuse laws in Minnesota and links to relevant statutes.<\/p>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"7\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody><tr><td><b>Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><p>Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609. Criminal Code:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-377.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 609.377<\/a> (<i>Malicious Punishment of Child<\/i>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-378.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 609.378<\/a> (<i>Neglect or Endangerment<\/i>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Defining the Offense(s)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><p><b><i>Malicious Punishment of Child occurs when a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker performs intentional act(s) that evidence unreasonable force or cruel discipline that&#8217;s excessive.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>Neglect or Endangerment<\/i> occurs when a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Willfully deprives a child of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision and the deprivation harms or is likely to substantially harm the child&#8217;s mental, physical, or emotional health;<\/li>\n<li>Knowingly allows the continuing sexual or physical abuse of a child;<\/li>\n<li>Intentionally or recklessly causing or allowing a child to be placed in a situation that&#8217;s likely to substantially harm the child&#8217;s physical, mental, or emotional health or cause their death; or<\/li>\n<li>Knowingly causing or allowing the child to be present where someone is selling or manufacturing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/what-is-a-controlled-substance.html\">controlled substance<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Penalties<\/b><\/td>\n<td><p>The charges and penalties for violating <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-377.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Section 609.377<\/i><\/a> depend on the circumstances of the punishment:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Less than substantial bodily harm: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/misdemeanors.html\">gross misdemeanor<\/a> punishable by up to 1 year of imprisonment and\/or a fine of up to $3,000.<\/li>\n<li>Child under four years old and there is harm to the head, eyes, neck, or multiple bruises to the body: felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and\/or a fine of up to $10,000.<\/li>\n<li>Substantial bodily harm: felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and\/or a fine of up to $10,000.<\/li>\n<li>If there&#8217;s great bodily harm: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/what-distinguishes-a-misdemeanor-from-a-felony.html\">felony <\/a>punishable by up to 10 years in prison and\/or a fine of up to $20,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are a variety of penalties for violating <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-378.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Section 609.378<\/i><\/a>, which are heavily dependent on the circumstances of the violation. See the statute for possible penalties.<\/p>\n<p>See the statute for circumstances that enhance this to a felony.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><tr><td><b>Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><p>Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609. Criminal Code:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-266.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 609.266<\/a>, et seq. (<i>Crimes Against Unborn Children<\/i>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/mn\/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624\/mn-st-sect-609-3785.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 609.3785<\/a> (<i>Unharmed Newborns Left at a Safe Place<\/i>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<p><i><b>Note:<\/b> 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 consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\n<h2>Minnesota Child Abuse Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\n<p>Visit the links below for more information and resources on child abuse and child endangerment.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-criminal-laws.html\">Minnesota Criminal Laws<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-family-laws.html\">Minnesota Family Laws<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/crimes-against-children.html\">Crimes Against Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/edocs.dhs.state.mn.us\/lfserver\/Public\/DHS-4735-ENG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Child Protection in Minnesota: Keeping Children Safe<\/a> [PDF]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Arrested for Violating Minnesota Child Abuse Laws? Get Legal Help<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes there&#8217;s a fine line between reasonable punishment and child abuse. Charges of child abuse can have a negative impact on all aspects of your life, including your parental rights. There are also serious legal consequences for failure to report suspected abuse as a mandated reporter.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve been charged with child abuse in Minnesota, it&#8217;s in your best interest to contact a local <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/minnesota\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a> to learn about your options.<\/p>\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 id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" 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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw covers child abuse laws in Minnesota. Learn how the state defines child abuse, penalties, mandated reporting requirements, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":374194,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[3081,3089],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-374220","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_24_1","state_laws_tags-statelaws_24_2"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/374220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/374220\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/374194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374220"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=374220"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=374220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}