Child Endangerment Charge.

[Dalea1976]

My jurisdiction is: Ohio

My boyfriend and I live together with my 2 childern, and 2 of his boys (He has 4). His 3 year old son rolled a tri-cycle off the porch about 2 days before he went to visit his mother for the weekend. They are going through a divorce, and custody battle. Instead of asking how he got the bruises, she took him to the hospital, and had it reported as abuse. We have both been charged with felony 3 child endangerment. We have never been in any trouble before. I am a full time college student, and mother of 2, and also work full time. What should I expect in court?

 

[CdwJava]

Have you actually been charged? Have you been served with papers? Interviewed by the police? Had children removed by child services?

If "yes" to any of those, it is time to consult an attorney. It is too early to expect anything from court because you do not know what you are up against. It might be something the DA will drop due to lack of evidence, or they might actually have a strong case. If they have interviewed the other kids and found that abuse is occurring, your children could at risk of being seized as well.

Oh, and don't pretend to think that the doctors and the investigators are idiots. There is a very distinctive difference between the injuries one might sustain from falling off a porch and one might sustain from most types of abuse. If he has bruises consistent with a beating, being grabbed, or swatted, then this will be easy to identify. A bruise from a fall will look vastly different. I am sure YOU know or suspect which was the cause of the abuse ... if it was physical, this will come out. And if it was physical, you will almost certainly lose your children as well - even if the abuse was accidental.

Time to consult local counsel.

- Carl

 

[Duranie]

1st thing, living together before he is even divorced is a terrible idea especially when kids are involved. You have your kids to think about and you cannot get in the middle of the nonsense between him and his ex. Now you are pulled into it. Was nobody supervising thee child when he was riding his tricycle? If he was in a situation where he could have been injured, and was, then endangerment would apply. You both need attorneys.

May I suggest not living together until this ugy divorce is over?