Child Neglect Charges from Frostbite Injury

Child Neglect (stock photo)

Definition of Child Neglect

Child neglect is a form of abuse and is generally an egregious behavior of caregivers (e.g., parents) that results in depriving a child of basic needs for the health and safety of the child. Examples of neglect are physical abuse, emotional abuse, denying a child an education or leaving a child in a dangerous situation.

In Indiana, they call it neglect of a dependent. Under Indiana code section 35-46-1-4, it is a level 6 felony  and is punishable by imprisonment for six months to two and a half years and a fine of up to $10,000. If the neglect results in death, then it is a level 1 felony and punishable by 20 to 40 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,0000.

Experienced Child Neglect Attorney

Attorney Mark Nicholson is experienced in defending people charged with neglect of a dependent. If the government charges you with neglect of a dependent then you need an Indiana child neglect attorney that will fight for you. Mark Nicholson is the attorney for you.

Ohio Couple Charged with Neglect

The cases against two Quaker City residents charged with child neglect after their 6-year-old son suffered severe frostbite have been sent to the Guernsey County Common Pleas Court.

Darrick R. Looney, 41, and Kendra M. Stump, 34, each face one count of felony child endangering filed in the Cambridge Municipal Court on Feb. 1 following their arrest by Guernsey County sheriff's deputies.

The court found probable cause Looney committed the crime during a preliminary hearing Thursday and bound the case over to the common pleas court.

An evidence hearing for an alleged probation violation associated with the case was scheduled for Feb. 24 during Looney's appearance in court last Thursday.

Looney was previously convicted of a misdemeanor charge for receiving stolen property and sentenced to probation.

Bond for Looney in the child neglect case was continued at $15,000 with no 10% allowed, but the court ordered he be held in the Guernsey County Jail without bond for the alleged probation violation after being convicted in December.

He remains incarcerated in the county jail.

Meanwhile, Stump waived her right to a preliminary plea earlier after requesting the hearing during an arraignment hearing the day after they filed charges against her. Her case was then sent over to the common pleas court.

A personal recognizance bond with special conditions was continued for Stump, according to online court records.

According to reports at the sheriff's office, deputies were dispatched to a Smith Avenue home in Quaker City at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 to conduct a well-being check on the young boy.

Barnesville Hospital staff reported the boy's mother brought him to the facility with severe injuries believed to be frostbite on his hands.

Sheriff Jeff Paden said once the medical staff informed the mother of the severity of the injuries and that he would need to be immediately transported to Nationwide Children's Hospital by ambulance, she took the boy and left the hospital.

Deputies reportedly located the boy, his mother and father, and an 11-year-old sibling at the Smith Avenue residence.

During the well-being check and preliminary investigation, deputies viewed the boy's hands and summoned United Ambulance to transport him to Southeastern Med in Cambridge.

They later transferred the boy to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, where he was admitted for treatment.

Authorities declined to release further information regarding the boy's injuries or condition citing HIPPA regulations.

They executed a search warrant at the residence at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 and detectives collected evidence. The report did not say what items they seized.

Detectives met with Guernsey County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Angler on Jan. 30 prior to charges being filed by her office.

Source: The Daily Jeffersonian