Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer

Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri. Child abuse and neglect cases are some of the most challenging in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. If you’re facing allegations of child abuse or neglect, you need to speak with a skilled child abuse & neglect lawyer at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible.

Call the legal team at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation with one of the expert St. Louis criminal defense attorneys. They bring more than 40 years of experience, extensive legal knowledge, deep understanding of family dynamics, and a wealth of resources to handle cases just like yours with professionalism and empathy.

In St. Louis and across Missouri, child abuse and neglect are legally defined by a series of statutes that cover physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and failure to provide necessary care or supervision. Charges can emerge from various circumstances, including suspected physical harm, emotional trauma, lack of proper nutrition, or unsafe living conditions. However, we know not every accusation is grounded in fact. That’s precisely why these cases must be thoroughly investigated by an experienced St. Louis child abuse & neglect lawyer.

How a Combs Waterkotte Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer Can Help in St. Louis

A Combs Waterkotte lawyer specialized in child abuse and neglect can help defend you and your future by providing:

• Personalized Legal Strategy: Each child abuse and neglect case is unique, requiring a personalized approach. A Combs Waterkotte child abuse & neglect lawyer in St. Louis will develop a defense or advocacy plan tailored to the specific circumstances of your case, taking into account evidence, witness testimony, and legal precedents that support your position.
• Defense Against False Allegations: False accusations of child abuse or neglect can arise from miscommunications, misunderstandings, or malicious intent. An experienced attorney can collect evidence, conduct a detailed investigation, and work with relevant experts to clear your name if you’re wrongly accused.
• Advocacy for Family and Juvenile Court: Family court and juvenile court proceedings for child abuse cases require a legal team with a nuanced understanding of legal procedures and social work reports. A St. Louis child abuse & neglect lawyer will handle court filings, represent you during hearings, and ensure compliance with court orders.

What is Considered Child Abuse & Neglect in St. Louis?

According to Missouri Revised Statute § 210.110, child abuse is defined as an intentional infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional harm on a child by someone responsible for their care:

• Physical Abuse: Any physical injury, other than by accident, caused by someone responsible for the child’s care.
• Emotional Abuse: Any emotional abuse inflicted upon a child by someone responsible for their care.
• Sexual Abuse: Any sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.

Neglect is defined as the failure to provide a child with the care they need to maintain their physical and mental health, such as:

• Failure to provide proper nutrition
• Failure to provide necessary medical, surgical, or other care
• Failure to provide adequate education
• Failure to provide proper support

Penalties for Child Abuse & Neglect in St. Louis

Penalties for child abuse and neglect vary based on the circumstances of your case – including the severity of the offense and the resulting harm to the child. Your attorney will work to lessen these penalties, through plea negotiations and by presenting mitigating factors. According to RSMo. § 568.060, some of the possible penalties include:

• Class D Felony: Basic charges of child abuse or neglect without serious injury typically fall under a Class D felony, which can result in up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Also, you must serve a minimum of 1 year before parole eligibility.
• Class B Felony: If the abuse results in serious physical or emotional harm – referring to a physical injury that poses a substantial risk of death or causes significant disfigurement or long-term impairment to bodily function, or emotional harm that creates a substantial risk of temporary or permanent psychological damage – the charges increase to a Class B felony. This carries a possible sentence of 5 to 15 years without parole eligibility until at least 5 years are served.
• Class A Felony: In cases where the abuse causes the child’s death or involves severe sexual abuse, particularly for children under 14, the offense may be a Class A felony – punishable by 10-30 years or even life imprisonment, with no eligibility for parole for the first 15 years.

In addition to the above criminal sentencing, you could be stripped of your parental or custodial rights by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. The DSS operates on a preponderance of evidence standard in proving these accusations.

If you’ve been charged with child abuse and neglect in St. Louis or anywhere else in Missouri, call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

Important Things to Consider in Your St. Louis Child Abuse & Neglect Case

Child abuse and neglect claims in St. Louis frequently start with family members, friends, or neighbors who say they witnessed the act(s), possibly exaggerating or downright falsifying what they saw or heard. The Combs Waterkotte child abuse & neglect lawyers have decades of experience investigating these types of claims and defending clients’ rights and futures throughout the St. Louis area. Some important factors in any child abuse or neglect case are:

• Under RSMo. § 210.115.1, members of certain occupational groups, including social workers, teachers, coaches, and medical professionals, are considered “mandatory reporters.” They must report any occurrences of child abuse or neglect, either to the DSS hotline or online.
• Whenever a staff member of a medical institution suspects child abuse or neglect, the physician in charge must be notified immediately. Documentation of the physical trauma – color photographs and/or x-rays – should be sent to the Children’s Division as soon as possible. No consent is required.
• If a physician, police officer, or other law enforcement official believes that a child is suffering from illness or injury, or is in danger of personal harm by reason of their surroundings, and that a case of child abuse or neglect already exists, a request may be made that a juvenile officer take the child into protective custody. If it is perceived that the child is in imminent danger or suffering serious physical harm or a threat to their life, the physician, police officer, or other law enforcement official may take or retain temporary protective custody of the child without the consent of the child’s parent, guardian, or others legally responsible for the child’s care.
• If there is evidence of sexual molestation or sexual abuse of any child, the Children’s Division must be notified within 24 hours.
• The provider-patient confidentiality privilege does not apply to situations involving known or suspected child abuse or neglect. No consent is required to release information to the Children’s Division when investigating suspected abuse.
• Missouri’s laws do specifically exclude from suspected child abuse or neglect the scenario where a child doesn’t receive specified medical treatment by reason of the legitimate practice of the religious beliefs of the child’s parent, guardian, or others legally responsible for the child. However, this doesn’t preclude a court hearing on whether medical services should be provided to a child whose health requires it. It is incumbent on the healthcare provider to petition the court in situations where the life or well-being of the child is in danger to allow the court to act on behalf of the child.

What to Expect from Your Combs Waterkotte St. Louis Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer

From initial case review to post-court follow ups, a knowledge attorney will work with you every step. The Combs Waterkotte St. Louis child abuse & neglect lawyers provide:

• Client-Centered Communication: Combs Waterkotte always keeps clients informed and involved in every decision, working on your behalf with your best interests in mind, explaining options and providing clear insight into legal processes and potential outcomes.
• Comprehensive Case Review: A full review of the circumstances, including any witness statements, evidence, and social service reports, is conducted to fully understand all factors of your case.
• Commitment to Privacy: Child abuse and neglect cases in St. Louis are highly sensitive, and a skilled attorney will prioritize client privacy, ensuring all information is handled with confidentiality.
• Collaboration with Experts: Whenever needed, your lawyer will consult medical specialists, social workers, psychologists, and other experts to build a comprehensive case that addresses both legal and emotional aspects.

Accused of Child Abuse & Neglect in St. Louis? Reach Out to Combs Waterkotte Right Away

If you’ve been accused of child abuse or neglect in St. Louis, you need to hire a lawyer with compassion, dedication, and specialized knowledge of Missouri’s statutes. After all, these cases are sensitive family matters. An expert child abuse & neglect lawyer can make sure that your case is handled with care, expertise, and a focus on the best possible outcome.

Call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review where you can discuss the specifics of your case with a top-rated attorney and get legal advice and guidance on your options and next steps.