Section 568.050

Title XXXVIII CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS

Chapter 568

Effective - 28 Aug 2005, 3 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  568.050.  Endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree. — 1. A person commits the crime of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree if:

  (1) He or she 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 old; or

  (2) He or she knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child less than seventeen years old 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, RSMo; or

  (3) Being a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of a child less than seventeen years old, he or she recklessly fails or refuses to exercise reasonable diligence in the care or control of such child to prevent him 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, RSMo; or

  (4) He or she 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 195.130, RSMo; or

  (5) The person operates a vehicle in violation of section 565.024, RSMo, 565.060, RSMo, 577.010, RSMo, or 577.012, RSMo, while a child less than seventeen years of age is present in the vehicle.

  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. Endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor unless the offense is committed as part of a ritual or ceremony, in which case the crime is a class D felony.

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(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1984 H.B. 1616, A.L. 1988 H.B. 1340 & 1348, A.L. 1990 H.B. 1030 merged with H.B. 1370, et al., A.L. 2005 H.B. 353 and H.B. 972 merged with S.B. 37)