Missouri Laws 565.184 – Abuse of an elderly person, a person with disability, or a vulnerable ..
1. A person commits the offense of abuse of an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person if he or she:
(1) Purposely engages in conduct involving more than one incident that causes emotional distress to an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person. The course of conduct shall be such as would cause a reasonable elderly person, person with a disability, or vulnerable person to suffer substantial emotional distress; or
Attorney's Note
Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 565.184
- Conduct: includes any act or omission. See Missouri Laws 565.002
- Course of conduct: a pattern of conduct composed of two or more acts, which may include communication by any means, over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. See Missouri Laws 565.002
- Emotional distress: something markedly greater than the level of uneasiness, nervousness, unhappiness, or the like which are commonly experienced in day-to-day living. See Missouri Laws 565.002
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
(2) Intentionally fails to provide care, goods or services to an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person. The result of the conduct shall be such as would cause a reasonable elderly person, person with a disability, or vulnerable person to suffer physical or emotional distress; or
(3) Knowingly acts or knowingly fails to act in a manner which results in a substantial risk to the life, body or health of an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person.
2. The offense of abuse of an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person is a class A misdemeanor. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person is abused solely because such person chooses to rely on spiritual means through prayer, in lieu of medical care, for his or her health care, as evidence by such person’s explicit consent, advance directive for health care, or practice.