Parents in Lancaster County were charged with felony endangerment of a child after their family was found living in filthy conditions. The arrest occurred after a Lancaster County Children and Youth worker alerted police to the living situation.
Children should be protected from abuse, neglect, and dangerous situations. They deserve to live in safe and clean homes. Unfortunately, a desire to protect children has resulted in a system that catches more innocent people than guilty ones.
Being accused of child endangerment can have serious repercussions. Parents or guardians may lose custody or only have visitation. Allegations can affect a person's career, reputation, and future, to say nothing of their relationships.
If you're facing allegations of child endangerment, you need to contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team. We can help you build a defense, understand your options, and protect your future. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
Filthy and Overflowing
The reported details of the case aren't for the faint-hearted. All three children were under six years old. Police reported they hadn't been bathed or cleaned in such a long time that a room where the children briefly stayed had to be aired out due to the smell.
The family was found living in a motel and the complaint against the parents provides the following details about the state of the motel room:
- Two dogs and one cat were in one room that had a “very strong smell of being unclean”
- Trash bags and children's toys covered the space, making it difficult to walk around
- The trash bags were full of dirty diapers and rotten food
- Food and drink containers blocked the sink in the bathroom
- Used food containers, clothes, and boxes covered one bed
- Cockroaches had infested the room
- One child had bruising on his eye and back
- One child's hair was matted and knotted
- One child possibly had a cockroach in his hair
These allegations are disturbing, and it can be easy to forget that allegations in a criminal complaint aren't automatically true. Complaints also don't include defenses or explanations for a situation.
Child Endangerment and ChildLine
If convicted, endangering the welfare of a child can result in fines of up to $10,000 and up to five years in jail. Child endangerment occurs when a parent or other adult who has a duty of care to a child violates that responsibility.
In Pennsylvania, anyone can report suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment via the state's ChildLine system. The goal of this system is to protect children, although only a small percentage of ChildLine referrals result in a finding of child endangerment.
In other words, the majority of ChildLine referrals find no evidence of abuse or neglect but can still result in investigations and unending innocent people's lives. This is why it's so important that anyone accused not simply trust the system but actively defend themselves.
Protect Your Reputation
Allegations of child endangerment can affect someone's life long after the case is closed. It can affect child custody agreements, limit employment options, and even affect where a person can live.
If you've been accused of child endangerment, contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
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