568.045. Endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, penalties.
It’s illegal to put a child in danger or involve them in harmful or illegal activity.
This law makes it a crime to do things that seriously risk a child’s safety, especially involving drugs, weapons, or sexual conduct by someone responsible for the child.
1. A person commits first-degree child endangerment if they:
- (1) Knowingly do something that creates a big risk to the life or health of a child under 17;
- (2) Have sexual contact with someone under 17 who is under their care or custody;
- (3) Help or encourage a child under 17 to break gun or drug laws (chapters 571 or 579);
- (4) Make or try to make meth or similar drugs in front of or near a child under 17.
2. The crime is a class D felony, but the penalties are worse if:
- (1) It’s part of repeated or group activity, or if the child is injured, or it’s a repeat offense — class C felony;
- (2) The child is seriously hurt — class B felony;
- (3) The child dies — class A felony.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
