Fresno Day Care Provider Charged with Child Endangerment

A 52 year-old woman who was the day care provider for four young children was recently charged with felony child endangerment in the Fresno area. The woman was arrested by Visalia police after leaving the children alone at the day care. The children are aged 2 ½, 4, 5, and 8. The incident was reported by the Fresno Bee, which stated that the police arrived at the day care at approximately 2 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon to find the children alone. The woman showed up a short time later while police were still there. The parents of the children were notified and returned to pick them up. No other information was provided by police.

Child endangerment in California is defined under section 273a of the California Penal Code. The law describes this crime as 1) causing or permitting a child to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering 2) willfully causing or permitting a child to be injured or 3) willfully causing or permitting a child to be placed in a dangerous situation. Under the third definition, a person can be charged and convicted of this offense without the child actually having been harmed or injured. Depending on the circumstances involved, such as whether the child was at risk or actually harmed or not, child endangerment may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The penalty for misdemeanor child endangerment includes a jail sentence of up to one year. The penalty for felony child endangerment includes a prison sentence of 2, 4, or 6 years.

Criminal Defense Firm in Fresno, California

Facing any type of criminal charge can be a confusing experience full of stress and anxiety. Law enforcement and prosecutors are generally looking to convict you and apply serious penalties. You may not know where to turn or you may make mistakes in dealing with law enforcement and your case that can have harmful consequences. Your first order of business should be to contact a qualified attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected.

At the criminal defense firm of Real Lawyers at Affordable Prices, you will find a legal team that has more than 40 years of combined experience. The attorneys at the firm know what it takes to provide strong legal defenses and strategies to your case. Their years of experience in the criminal justice system have given them the insight and skills that few other firms can match. They handle all types of criminal cases, from drug crimes to DUI, internet crimes, juvenile crimes, theft crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, and more. Contact the firm for a free case evaluation to get the legal advice and guidance you need following any criminal arrest in and around the greater Fresno area.