Missouri Laws 568.050 – Endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree, penalties
1. A person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree if he or she:
(1) With criminal negligence acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk to the life, body or health of a child less than seventeen years of age; 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 E felony | up to 4 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 568.050
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
(2) Knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child less than seventeen years of age to engage in any conduct which causes or tends to cause the child to come within the provisions of paragraph (d) of subdivision (2) of subsection 1 or subdivision (3) of subsection 1 of section 211.031; or
(3) Being a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of a child less than seventeen years of age, recklessly fails or refuses to exercise reasonable diligence in the care or control of such child to prevent him or her from coming within the provisions of paragraph (c) of subdivision (1) of subsection 1 or paragraph (d) of subdivision (2) of subsection 1 or subdivision (3) of subsection 1 of section 211.031; or
(4) Knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child less than seventeen years of age to enter into any room, building or other structure which is a public nuisance as defined in section 579.105.
2. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean the welfare of a child is endangered for the sole reason that he or she is being provided nonmedical remedial treatment recognized and permitted under the laws of this state.
3. The offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor unless the offense is committed as part of an act or series of acts performed by two or more persons as part of an established or prescribed pattern of activity, in which case the offense is a class E felony.