Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer Lebanon, MO. Allegations of child abuse and neglect are highly sensitive matters in Lebanon, MO and throughout Missouri. If you or a loved one are facing these serious accusations, it’s critical to contact a skilled child abuse & neglect lawyer for immediate guidance.
Call the Combs Waterkotte team at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to arrange a free, confidential consultation with one of our skilled Lebanon, MO criminal defense attorneys in Lebanon, MO. Our team has decades of experience, an in-depth understanding of Missouri law, and extensive resources dedicated to managing cases with professionalism and sensitivity.
Legal Videos
What to Do When Accused of Domestic Violence in Missouri
This legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding "What Should I Do When Accused of Domestic Violence?" and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence charge in the …
What Happens During a Domestic Violence Investigation?
This legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding "What Happens During a Domestic Violence Investigation in Missouri?" and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence …
What Are My Rights if Accused of Domestic Violence?
This domestic violence legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding "How Can I Get Domestic Violence Charges Dropped?" and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence …
Does Emotional Abuse Count as Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence cases can significantly influence various aspects of family law, especially child custody arrangements. When such charges arise, they often lead to complex legal challenges and …
How Can I Get Domestic Violence Charges Dropped?
Domestic violence cases can significantly influence various aspects of family law, especially child custody arrangements. When such charges arise, they often lead to complex legal challenges and …
Can a Domestic Violence Charge Affect Child Custody?
Domestic violence cases can significantly influence various aspects of family law, especially child custody arrangements. When such charges arise, they often lead to complex legal challenges and …
What to Do When Accused of Domestic Violence in Missouri
This legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding "What Should I Do When Accused of Domestic Violence?" and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence charge in the …
What Happens During a Domestic Violence Investigation?
This legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding "What Happens During a Domestic Violence Investigation in Missouri?" and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence …
What Are My Rights if Accused of Domestic Violence?
This domestic violence legal video covers a commonly asked question regarding "How Can I Get Domestic Violence Charges Dropped?" and how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your domestic violence …
Does Emotional Abuse Count as Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence cases can significantly influence various aspects of family law, especially child custody arrangements. When such charges arise, they often lead to complex legal challenges and …
How Can I Get Domestic Violence Charges Dropped?
Domestic violence cases can significantly influence various aspects of family law, especially child custody arrangements. When such charges arise, they often lead to complex legal challenges and …
Can a Domestic Violence Charge Affect Child Custody?
Domestic violence cases can significantly influence various aspects of family law, especially child custody arrangements. When such charges arise, they often lead to complex legal challenges and …
Missouri law, defined by a series of statutes, identifies various forms of child abuse and neglect, covering physical injury, emotional harm, and neglect. Accusations can arise under circumstances such as alleged physical harm, inadequate care, or unsafe living conditions. That’s why an experienced child abuse & neglect lawyer in Lebanon, MO is vital to help navigate and address these complex cases fairly.
-
Protect Your Life
![Image]()
Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
Reach Out Now
-
Know Your Next Steps
![Image]()
Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
Stay Informed
-
Title
![Image]()
Ready to Talk to an Expert?
Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
Get Started
How a Combs Waterkotte Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer Can Help in Lebanon, MO
A skilled attorney from Combs Waterkotte, specializing in child abuse and neglect cases throughout the Lebanon, MO area, can help protect your rights and future by providing:
- Client-Centered Defense Strategy: Each child abuse or neglect case has its own set of challenges and details. A Combs Waterkotte child abuse & neglect lawyer in Lebanon, MO will develop a defense or advocacy plan tailored to the specific circumstances of your case, taking into account evidence, witness testimony, and legal precedents in Lebanon, MO and beyond that support your position.
- Defense Against False Allegations in Lebanon, MO: False accusations of child abuse or neglect can arise from miscommunications, misunderstandings, or malicious intent. An experienced lawyer in Lebanon, MO 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 Lebanon, MO legal procedures and social work reports. A Lebanon, MO child abuse & neglect lawyer will handle court filings, represent you during hearings, and ensure compliance with court orders in the Lebanon, MO area.
Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect in Lebanon, MO
According to Missouri Revised Statute § 210.110, child abuse is legally recognized as the intentional infliction of physical, emotional, sexual harm by a caregiver or person responsible for the child’s well-being:
- Physical Abuse: Any non-accidental physical injury caused by a caregiver or person responsible for the child.
- Emotional Abuse: Acts that result in emotional harm or distress to the child by an individual responsible for their care.
- Sexual Abuse: Any sexual exploitation or inappropriate contact directed toward a child by a caregiver or individual in a position of trust.
Neglect refers to the inability or failure to meet a child’s essential needs, which are crucial to their physical and mental well-being. Examples include:
- Not providing adequate nutrition
- Failure to arrange necessary medical or surgical care
- Failure to provide basic educational resources
- Failure to provide proper support
Laclede County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Laclede County and Missouri.
Penalties for Child Abuse & Neglect in Lebanon, MO
In Lebanon, MO, the consequences for child abuse and neglect vary, shaped by the details of the offense, its impact on the child, and any prior history. With skilled representation, your Lebanon, MO attorney can advocate to minimize penalties by negotiating plea agreements and presenting mitigating factors. According to RSMo. § 568.060, some of the possible penalties in Lebanon, MO include:
- Class D Felony: Standard child abuse or neglect charges in Lebanon, MO that do not involve serious harm often constitute a Class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines as high as $10,000. Parole may be possible after serving a minimum of 1 year.
- Class B Felony: If the abuse results in serious physical or emotional harm in Lebanon, MO – 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 Lebanon, MO cases where the abuse causes the child’s death or involves severe sexual abuse, particularly for children under 14, the offense may be classified as a Class A felony. This carries a potential sentence of 10-30 years or life, with no parole eligibility for at least 15 years.
In addition to criminal sentencing, you could also face a loss of parental rights imposed by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. The DSS makes determinations based on a preponderance of evidence standard, a lower threshold than in criminal court where they only need to prove that it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred.
If you’re facing child abuse and neglect charges in Lebanon, MO don’t hesitate to reach out to Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
Important Points to Consider in Your Lebanon, MO Child Abuse & Neglect Case
Allegations of child abuse and neglect in Lebanon, MO often stem from reports made be family members, friends, or neighbors who claim to have observed abusive behavior. These individuals may exaggerate or even fabricate details about what they saw or heard. The Combs Waterkotte Lebanon, MO child abuse & neglect lawyers have decades of experience investigating these types of claims and defending clients’ rights and futures throughout the Lebanon, MO area. Some important factors in any child abuse or neglect case are:
- According to 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 Lebanon, MO child abuse or neglect, either to the DSS hotline or online.
- When a staff member at a medical facility suspects child abuse or neglect, the attending physician should be informed immediately. Any physical evidence, like color photographs or x-rays of the suspected injury, must be sent to the Children’s Division promptly, without needing parental or guardian consent.
- In cases where a physician, police officer, or law enforcement official in Lebanon, MO suspects that a child is at risk due to illness, injury, or hazardous surroundings, they may request that a juvenile officer place the child in protective custody. If it appears that the child is in imminent danger or facing severe physical harm, medical and law enforcement personnel are permitted to take temporary protective custody without the need for consent from the child’s parent or legal guardian.
- If there are indications of sexual molestation or sexual abuse involving a child in the Lebanon, MO area, the Children’s Division must be informed 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.
- While Missouri law excludes cases of withheld medical treatment based on legitimate religious beliefs from being classified as neglect, healthcare providers are encouraged to petition the court if a child’s health is seriously compromised, enabling the court to make necessary medical decisions for the child’s protection.
If you’re accused of child abuse or neglect in Lebanon, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring a leading child abuse & neglect lawyer in Lebanon, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert criminal defense from our esteemed homicide attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Lebanon, MO residents:
What You Can Expect from a Combs Waterkotte Lebanon, MO Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
From initial case review to post-court follow ups in Lebanon, MO, a knowledge attorney will work with you every step. The Combs Waterkotte Lebanon, MO child abuse & neglect lawyers provide:
- Transparent Communication: Combs Waterkotte always keeps Lebanon, MO 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 in Lebanon, MO, is conducted to fully understand all factors of your case.
- Commitment to Privacy: We recognize that Lebanon, MO child abuse and neglect cases are incredibly sensitive, which is why our team is committed to maintaining your confidentiality throughout the entire process, protecting all personal information.
- Expert Collaboration: Whenever needed, your Lebanon, MO defense lawyer will consult medical specialists, social workers, psychologists, and other experts to build a comprehensive case that addresses both legal and emotional aspects.
Facing Child Abuse & Neglect Allegations in Lebanon, MO? Reach Out to Combs Waterkotte Right Away
Being accused of child abuse or neglect in Lebanon, MO is a serious matter that requires an attorney who is both knowledgeable and compassionate. These cases are often emotionally charged, and you need an expert Lebanon, MO lawyer who understands Missouri’s laws and can protect your rights and seek the best possible outcome.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to arrange a free case review. Let one of our skilled attorneys review the details of your case and help you navigate the next steps in your defense.
