{"id":374450,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-26T12:54:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T17:54:00","slug":"missouri-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri 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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Missouri child abuse laws define abuse as the infliction of physical, sexual, or mental injury on a child by an adult, and neglect as the failure to provide necessary care. These crimes are felonies and carry severe penalties, including prison time. Various professionals are mandated reporters who must report suspected abuse to the Missouri Department of Social Services.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Child abuse is a serious crime in all 50 states, sometimes charged as child endangerment and\/or assault and battery. Broadly defined as any type of cruelty visited upon a child, child abuse<\/a> includes physical battery, mental or emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, and sexual abuse. Most states, including Missouri, define the crime as an act or failure to act that:<\/p>\n

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  1. Results in imminent risk or serious harm to a child’s health and welfare due to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse;<\/li>\n
  2. Affects a child (under the age of 18 in Missouri);<\/li>\n
  3. By a parent or caregiver who is responsible for the child’s welfare.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Definitions of Child Abuse in Missouri<\/h2>\n

    Missouri law defines abuse<\/i> as "the infliction of physical, sexual, or mental injury against a child by any person eighteen years of age of older." The state defines neglect<\/i> as "the failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody, and control of a child under the age of eighteen years, the care reasonable and necessary to maintain the physical and mental health of the child."<\/p>\n

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

    Missouri child abuse laws charge the crime as a felony<\/a> with no chance of probation or parole until at least one year of prison time has been served. If a child dies as a result of injuries sustained at the hands of an abuser, the defendant may face life in prison. Corporal punishment ("including spanking administered in a reasonable manner) is not considered child abuse.<\/p>\n

    Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse in Missouri<\/h2>\n

    In Missouri, adults in certain professions are required to report any signs or knowledge of child abuse. These mandatory reporters include:<\/p>\n