{"id":374344,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:43","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-16T10:45:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T15:45:39","slug":"mississippi-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mississippi Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/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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In Mississippi, the crime of child abuse covers many acts that cause emotional or physical harm to a child. These laws categorize various acts such as burning, starving, or causing bodily injury as felony child abuse. Other offenses are treated as misdemeanors. The state designates anyone who reasonably suspects child abuse as a mandatory reporter. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Mississippi child abuse laws create a complex legal framework that governs how the state identifies and responds to potential harm against children. Understanding these laws is essential to parents, legal guardians, and professionals who work with children.<\/p>\r\n

If you need to report a suspected case of child abuse or are involved in a child abuse case, contact a Mississippi family law<\/a> or criminal law attorney<\/a>. They can help you understand your rights and obligations under state law.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides an overview of child abuse laws in Mississippi. It also outlines the specific acts covered by the state’s criminal laws in this area and explains the potential penalties.<\/p>\r\n

Overview of Child Abuse Laws in Mississippi<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The following table outlines the criminal child abuse and mandatory reporting of child abuse<\/a> laws in Mississippi. Below, we’ll explain these laws in further detail.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Mississippi Code Sections<\/p>\r\n

When to report<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

A child abuse or neglect report is required if a person has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is neglected or abused.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

How to report<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

To report suspected child abuse, call the Mississippi Department of Human Services toll-free, 24\/7 hotline at 1-800-222-8000.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalty for failure to report<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Failure to report child abuse or false reporting, if done willfully, can result in up to a $5,000 fine and one year in jail.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

What is Considered Child Abuse and Neglect?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Mississippi state law considers emotional, physical, and sexual abuse committed against a minor as a form of child abuse. The Mississippi Code outlines the penalties for offenders while establishing the mandatory requirements.<\/p>\r\n

Child Abuse<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Under Mississippi Code \u00a7 43-21-105<\/a>, child abuse encompasses several forms of maltreatment. It includes any of the following acts:<\/p>\r\n