Child Endangerment Attorney in Columbus, Ohio 

Whether you are a parent, legal guardian, or adult caring for a child, it is your responsibility to ensure the minor under your care is free from harm or unreasonable danger. In the state of Ohio, a person may be arrested and charged with child endangerment for placing a child in an unhealthy, dangerous, or improper situation. According to statistics from Child Welfare Outcomes, about 104,750 reports alleging child maltreatment were under investigation in Ohio in 2020.   

If you're facing child endangerment charges or under investigation for subjecting a child to inappropriate conditions, talking with an Ohio criminal defense attorney is beneficial. The attorneys at Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC have strong intentions to successfully represent and defend clients in their child-endangerment cases. Attorney Stephen Wolfe and his reliable legal team will analyze the points of your case and help refute the allegations against you with substantial facts and evidence.  

Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC proudly represents clients across Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding communities of Gahanna, Hilliard, Lancaster, Westerville, Dublin, Pickerington, Newark, and Licking County.

Child Endangerment in Ohio  

Child endangerment occurs when a parent, custodian, or guardian intentionally places a child in an inappropriate or dangerous situation. According to Ohio law, no person shall do any of the following to a child below 18 years or a physically or mentally handicapped child below 21 years: 

• Create a substantial risk to the child's safety or health by violating a duty of protection, care, or support. 

• Abuse or torture the child cruelly. 

• Administer corporal punishment or physical restraint to the child in a cruel manner or for a prolonged period. 

• Continually administer unwarranted disciplinary measures to the child. 

If you or someone you know has recently been arrested and charged with child endangerment, you need to reach out to a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney right away. Your legal counsel can educate you about the nature of your charges as well as the possible penalties. 

Possible Penalties  

Child endangerment – or endangering a child – is a serious offense that is often punished severely in the state of Ohio. Depending on the surrounding circumstances, a defendant convicted of child endangerment may face any of these possible penalties and ramifications: 

• Substantial fines and court fees 

• Prison sentences (ranging from months or years)  

• Probation  

• Restitution to the victim  

• A criminal record/history 

• Loss of child custody or visitation rights. 

• Increased difficulty in getting a good job, housing, or educational opportunities. 

• Increased difficulty in securing public assistance 

• Increased difficulty in getting licensed for some professions 

• Difficulties in getting approved for certain financial loans  

• Loss of your rights to possess, carry or own a firearm or gun  

• Increased difficulty in traveling overseas  

• Possible deportation, denial of immigration, or inadmissibility to the United States (if you're not a U.S. citizen) 

• Loss of the right to vote during elections 

• Deterioration of personal and professional relationships 

A dependable Ohio child endangerment defense lawyer can intervene quickly and determine the best defenses to help fight your criminal allegations. 

Possible Defenses  

If you're facing false child endangerment charges, your legal counsel can help fight the accusations against you using any of these legal defenses: 

• False accusation. 

• You could not have endangered the child. 

• You didn't know your actions were likely to cause harm or endanger the child. 

• The child's injuries were from an accident or another event. 

• A medical condition 

• Parent's right to discipline 

• Religious beliefs 

• Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP) 

A trusted criminal defense lawyer can identify your best defenses, represent you skillfully in your case, and help you avoid the devastating consequence of a criminal conviction. 

Discover Your Options 

Defending your child endangerment allegations without reliable representation is never advisable. Unfortunately, a criminal conviction could jeopardize your personal reputation, freedom, quality of life, career, education, and future opportunities. Hence, when facing child endangerment charges, it is vital to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible for clear guidance and to help build your defense.  

The team at Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC can help you navigate the Ohio criminal justice system and ensure that you're given a fair hearing. Attorney Stephen Wolfe will fight passionately to uphold your legal rights and help pursue the most favorable outcome for your specific circumstance.