Image

Child Abuse, Neglect, and Abandonment Lawyer in St Louis

Call Combs Waterkotte for Dedicated Legal Representation & Defense

Verified Content

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

Award Award Award Award Award Award Award

Child Abuse, Neglect, and Abandonment Lawyer in St Louis:
Protect Your Rights

Being accused of neglecting, abusing, or abandoning a child in St. Louis can easily be a parent’s worst nightmare. Not only will you be facing serious criminal charges, you may lose the custody of a member of your own family. At Combs Waterkotte, we are here to help parents facing these serious charges and fight fiercely on their behalf. Our firm has considerable experience handling all aspects of St. Louis child neglect cases, including both inside a courtroom and taking on the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Video with a review

Image
Play video

"Best group of criminal defense lawyers in the St. Louis area. I can't say enough about them and the lengths that this firm will go to ensure presumption of innocence and actually fight for their clients."

Client Review (Google)

Read All Reviews

abc
cnn | Combs Waterkotte
fox | Combs Waterkotte
nbc | Combs Waterkotte
Yahoo | Combs Waterkotte
USA Today | Combs Waterkotte
The Washington Post | Combs Waterkotte
St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Combs Waterkotte
The New York Times | Combs Waterkotte
MSN | Combs Waterkotte
Miami Herald | Combs Waterkotte
KTVI 2 | Combs Waterkotte
KMOV 4 | Combs Waterkotte
KSDK 5 | Combs Waterkotte
Investigation Discovery | Combs Waterkotte
Good Morning America | Combs Waterkotte
Court TV | Combs Waterkotte
Associated Press | Combs Waterkotte
Child Abuse and Neglect Laws in St. Louis and Missouri

Child Abuse and Neglect Laws in St. Louis and Missouri

Missouri, like most other states, has passed a number of laws and imposed requirements in recent years to strengthen its child abuse/neglect laws in the wake of nationally publicized child abuse cases.

Protect your rights and freedom with Combs Waterkotte. Contact one of our criminal defense lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP for a confidential consultation.

Since 2004, a large group of people (including medical professionals, teachers, first responders, religious ministers, and "any other person with the responsibility for the care of children") are classified as "mandatory reporters". They must report any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Missouri Department of Social Services, specifically identifying themselves by name when doing so. The DSS takes these reports seriously--false reports are considered illegal and punishable as a class A misdemeanor, the same as failing to report abuse when required by law.

The state of Missouri's child abuse laws can be found at Missouri Revised Statute §210.110 and Missouri Revised Statute §568.060. Abuse or neglect of a child starts out as a class D felony, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000. The law also stipulates that those convicted of child abuse/neglect in Missouri are ineligible for parole until they have served one year of their sentence. However, as the severity of the abuse or neglect increases, so does the punishment: if "serious emotional or physical injury" was inflicted, the minimum punishment is a class B felony, which carries with it 5-15 years in prison and a parole ineligibility of five years for child abuse convictions. And if child abuse involved sexual abuse/exploitation of someone under 14 years of age, or results in injuries which lead to a fatality, the charges are automatically a class A felony (10-30 years in prison, with a minimum 15 years before parole can be granted).

Child abuse and neglect cases are also reviewed by the DSS to determine if parents might lose custody of their children as a result. The DSS operates on a "preponderance of evidence" standard, which is different (and much less strict) than the standard used in criminal trials. If found responsible, the accused may appeal these decisions to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board (CANRB), which is composed of independent adjudicators that can further review cases. If found guilty of abuse, the state can revoke custody of a child from their parents and place children in alternative custody, such as with relatives or in foster care.


Image

What Combs Waterkotte's St. Louis Child Abuse, Neglect, and Abandonment Lawyers Can Do For You
Image
Image

What Combs Waterkotte’s St. Louis Child Abuse, Neglect, and Abandonment Lawyers Can Do For You

Those accused of child abuse or neglect in Missouri require a criminal defense lawyer who is comfortable taking on all angles of their case and formulating an effective strategy that deals with all facets and eventualities.

Protecting your rights:

  • We believe every accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • We bring extensive experience in defending individuals facing allegations of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
  • We offer confidential consultations to discuss your case and legal options without judgment or bias.
  • We conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence and build a strong defense strategy, ensuring your side of the story is heard.

Advocating for the accused:

  • Combs Waterkotte specializes in defending individuals accused of child abuse-related offenses, providing expert legal representation.
  • Our attorneys are skilled negotiators, working to secure the best possible outcomes, including reduced charges or penalties.
  • We are dedicated to safeguarding your constitutional rights throughout the legal process.
  • We are dedicated to helping good people in bad situations.

  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child

    Charge

    Child Endangerment

    Result

    Not Guilty Verdict

    Combs Waterkotte represented a St. Louis County man on one count of endangering the welfare of a child. The prosecution alleged that our client put his childr …

    Charge

    Child Endangerment

    Result

    Not Guilty Verdict

  • Child Endangerment

    Charge

    Child Endangerment

    Result

    Not Guilty Verdict

    Combs Waterkotte represented an Imperial woman in Jefferson County Circuit Court on a charge of child endangerment. Prosecutors alleged our client aided and e …

    Charge

    Child Endangerment

    Result

    Not Guilty Verdict

  • Child Endangerment

    Charge

    Child Endangerment

    Result

    Dismissed

    A hardworking immigrant was charged with two counts of child endangerment. The man had left his two young children alone in a car in a busy parking lot to pur …

    Charge

    Child Endangerment

    Result

    Dismissed

    Image Image
    Defending Against Child Abuse and Neglect Charges in St. Louis

    Defending Against Child Abuse and Neglect Charges in St. Louis

    There are several defense strategies that experienced attorneys can employ to challenge the accusations and build a compelling case:

    • Your attorney can probe the motives behind false or exaggerated accusations, showing their unreliability.
    • Your lawyer will scrutinize the evidence against you for weaknesses, undermining the prosecution’s case if it’s flawed.
    • Discrediting inconsistent or biased witnesses can create doubt about the allegations.
    • Proving your absence at the time or place of the alleged incident can be a key defense.
    • Character witnesses vouching for your reputation can weaken the accusations against you.
    • Showing evidence of being a responsible and caring parent can counteract claims of neglect or abandonment.
    Image Image
    Facing False Accusations in St. Louis, Missouri Child Abuse Cases

    Facing False Accusations in St. Louis, Missouri Child Abuse Cases

    Here’s what you should consider when facing false allegations:

    • Consult with a child abuse defense attorney immediately for guidance on rights protection and legal process navigation.
    • Keep records of all relevant communications, evidence, or interactions for the case.
    • Stay calm and composed to avoid misinterpretation of emotions as guilt.
    • Avoid contact with the specific individual involved in the accusations.
    • Cooperate with authorities, but consult your attorney before making statements.
    • Identify witnesses who can support your story and testify for you.
    • Work with your attorney to build a defense strategy, challenging the accusations and presenting favorable evidence.
    Image Image
    Contact Our Child Abuse Defense Law Firm in St. Louis, MO

    Contact Our Child Abuse Defense Law Firm in St. Louis, MO

    Combs Waterkotte is an experienced St. Louis criminal defense law firm that specializes in taking a unique, holistic approach to the defense process. Our firm intentionally limits the amount of cases we take in order to give every single one of our clients the one-on-one, personalized attention they deserve. We review every possible piece of evidence and create a strong, sound defense strategy that is driven to produce the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP today to experience what a top-rated St. Louis child neglect/abuse defense firm can do for you and your case.

    Our Record

    Image Image

    Impeccable Record
    of Success

    Impeccable Record of Success

    • Over 10,000 Cases Handled
    • Over 300 Five-Star Reviews
    • Multiple Major Media Appearances
    • Over Four Decades of Experience
    Meet Your Attorneys

    Featured and Latest News

    Open Video
    Image

    Featured Results:

    Client Review, DUI Case

    Play video
    Image

    Get In Touch:

    St. Louis

    Main Office

    (314) 900-HELP

    Get Directions

    Clayton

    By Appointment Only

    (314) 900-HELP

    Get Directions