Endangering the welfare of a child is a serious criminal offense under New York law. It involves actions or failures to act that are likely to harm the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child under the age of 17. This charge can apply to a variety of situations, including exposing a child to dangerous environments, neglecting their basic needs, or encouraging them to engage in harmful activities. The penalties for this offense can be severe, making it crucial to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side if you are facing such charges.
Michael A. Arbeit, P.C. is a leading criminal defense practice representing clients throughout Long Island and New York City. When you meet with us, we will help you understand the charges and your legal options. Although prosecutors aggressively pursue convictions for crimes involving the endangerment of children, we will work strategically to achieve the best possible outcome. Contact our office today to consult with an experienced defense attorney in Long Island.
Understanding Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor):
A person is guilty of this offense when they knowingly:
- Act in a manner likely to injure the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child under 17.
- Direct or authorize a child to engage in an occupation involving substantial risk to their life or health.
- As a parent, guardian, or person legally responsible for a child under 18, fail to exercise reasonable diligence to prevent the child from becoming an abused, neglected, juvenile delinquent, or person in need of supervision.
Corroboration (S 260.11):
A person cannot be convicted solely on the testimony of a victim incapable of consent due to mental defect or incapacity without additional supporting evidence.
Defense (S 260.15):
In cases involving alleged failure to provide proper medical care due to religious beliefs, it is an affirmative defense if:
- The defendant is legally responsible for the child.
- The defendant adheres to a religion that prescribes prayer as treatment.
- The child was treated according to those religious tenets.
Why Choose Michael A. Arbeit, P.C.
- Extensive Experience: Proven track record of defending clients against complex criminal charges, including endangering the welfare of a child.
- Personalized Attention: Each client receives individualized attention and a defense strategy tailored to their unique case.
- Dedicated Representation: Committed to fighting for your rights and achieving the best possible outcome.
- Local Expertise: Deep understanding of the legal landscape in Long Island and New York City.
Contact Our Long Island & New York Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Facing charges of endangering the welfare of a child is a serious matter that requires immediate legal attention. Contact Michael A. Arbeit, P.C. to schedule a consultation and discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney. We are dedicated to providing you with the legal support and guidance you need to protect your rights and secure a favorable outcome.
Michael A. Arbeit, P.C. assists clients throughout Long Island, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Garden City, Freeport, and New York, including Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, and The Bronx.
S 260.10 Endangering the welfare of a child.
A person is guilty of endangering the welfare of a child when:
1. He or she knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the
physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years
old or directs or authorizes such child to engage in an occupation
involving a substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health; or
2. Being a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the
care or custody of a child less than eighteen years old, he or she fails
or refuses to exercise reasonable diligence in the control of such child
to prevent him or her from becoming an “abused child,” a “neglected
child,” a “juvenile delinquent” or a “person in need of supervision,” as
those terms are defined in articles ten, three and seven of the family
court act.
3. A person is not guilty of the provisions of this section when he or
she engages in the conduct described in subdivision one of section
260.00 of this article: (a) with the intent to wholly abandon the child
by relinquishing responsibility for and right to the care and custody of
such child; (b) with the intent that the child be safe from physical
injury and cared for in an appropriate manner; (c) the child is left
with an appropriate person, or in a suitable location and the person who
leaves the child promptly notifies an appropriate person of the child’s
location; and (d) the child is not more than thirty days old.
Endangering the welfare of a child is a class A misdemeanor.
S 260.11 Endangering the welfare of a child; corroboration.
A person shall not be convicted of endangering the welfare of a child,
or of an attempt to commit the same, upon the testimony of a victim who
is incapable of consent because of mental defect or mental incapacity as
to conduct that constitutes an offense or an attempt to commit an
offense referred to in section 130.16, without additional evidence
sufficient pursuant to section 130.16 to sustain a conviction of an
offense referred to in section 130.16, or of an attempt to commit the
same.
S 260.15 Endangering the welfare of a child; defense.
In any prosecution for endangering the welfare of a child, pursuant to
section 260.10 of this article, based upon an alleged failure or refusal
to provide proper medical care or treatment to an ill child, it is an
affirmative defense that the defendant (a) is a parent, guardian or
other person legally charged with the care or custody of such child; and
(b) is a member or adherent of an organized church or religious group
the tenets of which prescribe prayer as the principal treatment for
illness; and (c) treated or caused such ill child to be treated in
accordance with such tenets.
S 260.20 Unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree.
A person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a child in the first
degree when:
1. He knowingly permits a child less than eighteen years old to enter
or remain in or upon a place, premises or establishment where sexual
activity as defined by article one hundred thirty, two hundred thirty or
two hundred sixty-three of this chapter or activity involving controlled
substances as defined by article two hundred twenty of this chapter or
involving marihuana as defined by article two hundred twenty-one of this
chapter is maintained or conducted, and he knows or has reason to know
that such activity is being maintained or conducted; or
2. He gives or sells or causes to be given or sold any alcoholic
beverage, as defined by section three of the alcoholic beverage control
law, to a person less than twenty-one years old; except that this
subdivision does not apply to the parent or guardian of such a person or
to a person who gives or causes to be given any such alcoholic beverage
to a person under the age of twenty-one years, who is a student in a
curriculum licensed or registered by the state education department,
where the tasting or imbibing of alcoholic beverages is required in
courses that are part of the required curriculum, provided such
alcoholic beverages are given only for instructional purposes during
classes conducted pursuant to such curriculum.
It is no defense to a prosecution pursuant to subdivision two of this
section that the child acted as the agent or representative of another
person or that the defendant dealt with the child as such.
It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution pursuant to subdivision
two of this section that the defendant who sold, caused to be sold or
attempted to sell such alcoholic beverage to a person less than
twenty-one years old, had not been, at the time of such sale or
attempted sale, convicted of a violation of this section or section
260.21 of this article within the preceding five years, and such
defendant, subsequent to the commencement of the present prosecution,
has completed an alcohol training awareness program established pursuant
to subdivision twelve of section seventeen of the alcoholic beverage
control law. A defendant otherwise qualifying pursuant to this paragraph
may request and shall be afforded a reasonable adjournment of the
proceedings to enable him or her to complete such alcohol training
awareness program.
Unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.
S 260.21 Unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree.
A person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a child in the second
degree when:
1. Being an owner, lessee, manager or employee of a place where
alcoholic beverages are sold or given away, he permits a child less than
sixteen years old to enter or remain in such place unless:
(a) The child is accompanied by his parent, guardian or an adult
authorized by a parent or guardian; or
(b) The entertainment or activity is being conducted for the benefit
or under the auspices of a non-profit school, church or other
educational or religious institution; or
(c) Otherwise permitted by law to do so; or
(d) The establishment is closed to the public for a specified period
of time to conduct an activity or entertainment, during which the child
is in or remains in such establishment, and no alcoholic beverages are
sold, served, given away or consumed at such establishment during such
period. The state liquor authority shall be notified in writing by the
licensee of such establishment, of the intended closing of such
establishment, to conduct any such activity or entertainment, not less
than ten days prior to any such closing; or
2. He marks the body of a child less than eighteen years old with
indelible ink or pigments by means of tattooing; or
3. He sells or causes to be sold tobacco in any form to a child less
than eighteen years old.
It is no defense to a prosecution pursuant to subdivision three of
this section that the child acted as the agent or representative of
another person or that the defendant dealt with the child as such.
Unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree is a class B misdemeanor.
S 260.24 Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the second degree.
disabled person in the second degree.
A person is guilty of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or
physically disabled person in the second degree when he or she
recklessly engages in conduct which is likely to be injurious to the
physical, mental or moral welfare of a person who is unable to care for
himself or herself because of physical disability, mental disease or
defect.
Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled
person in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
S 260.25 Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree.
A person is guilty of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or
physically disabled person in the first degree when he knowingly acts in
a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare
of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself because of
physical disability, mental disease or defect.
Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled
person in the first degree is a class E Felony.