Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 13, 2018
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Child abuse is a serious crime in all 50 states, including Washington. In Washington, child abuse, neglect, and abandonment fall under the general chapter of "criminal mistreatment" in the state's criminal code. It's important to note, however, that child abuse is also addressed in the state's domestic relations title. As in most other states, Washington also has mandatory reporting requirements that apply to a variety of professionals, including law enforcement and adults with regular access to children, such as teachers and pediatricians.
The criminal mistreatment of children is divided into degrees depending on the degree of harm as well as the adult's actions. To better understand the Washington child abuse laws, it's helpful to define some key terms:
It's also important to note that Washington's criminal mistreatment laws apply to the parent of a child, a person who's responsible for the physical custody of a child, and a person who's employed to provide a child with the basic necessities of life.
When you have a legal question, you're usually looking for a quick and easy answer. Unfortunately, laws are usually written in "legalese," which can take a while to understand. That's why it can be very helpful to read a summary of the law without the legal jargon. The following chart provides links to relevant statutes and summarizes Washington's laws relating to the mistreatment of children.
| Statute(s) | Washington Revised Code:
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| Degrees of Criminal Mistreatment | Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree: recklessly causing great bodily harm to a child by withholding basic necessities of life. Criminal Mistreatment in the Second Degree: recklessly (1) creating a substantial and imminent risk of great bodily harm or death, or (2) causing substantial bodily harm by withholding basic necessities of life. Criminal Mistreatment in the Third Degree: with criminal negligence either (1) creating a substantial and imminent risk of substantial bodily harm by withholding basic necessities of life, or (2) causing substantial bodily harm by withholding basic necessities of life. Criminal Mistreatment in the Fourth Degree: with criminal negligence either (1) creating a substantial and imminent risk of bodily injury by withholding basic necessities of life, or (2) causing bodily injury or extreme emotional distress by withholding basic necessities of life. |
| Charges and Penalties | Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000. Criminal Mistreatment in the Second Degree is a class C felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Criminal Mistreatment in the Third Degree is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in county jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Criminal Mistreatment in the Fourth Degree is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. |
| Mandatory Reporting | While it's a good idea for anyone who believes that a child has been abused or neglected to report it, there are certain people that are legally required to do so. Just a few examples of mandatory reporters are doctors, school personnel, law enforcement officers, and therapists. Child abuse or neglect can be reported to the state's child abuse hotline at 1-866-END-HARM (1-866-363-4276), which will connect the caller to the correct local office. Failure of a mandatory reporter to report child abuse or neglect is a gross misdemeanor. |
| Related Statute(s) | Washington Revised Code:
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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 consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Child abuse is a serious crime that can have a lasting impact on everyone involved, although sometimes the line between discipline and abuse isn't always that clear. If you're facing child abuse or neglect charges in Washington, it's a good idea to reach out to a local criminal defense attorney to discuss your case and learn about how Washington child abuse laws apply to your particular situation.
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