In fiscal year 2004, more than 50,000 Texas children were known to be victims of abuse and neglect. Staggering as this number is, it is an understatement: these are the children identified as victims by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the state agency charged with receiving and investigating reports of child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse can be any form of mental abuse, physical harm, neglect, and sexual abuse or exploitation inflicted child. Almost every state requires by law that certain individuals and caregivers such as doctors, therapists, teachers and day care providers to report suspected child abuse.

It is against the law and will result in criminal prosecution if an adult abuses a child while in their care. Child abuse laws can apply to any of the following individuals, including but not limited to parents, legal guardians, other adults living in the home and baby sitters. Excessive physical punishment by an adult care giver can result in being charged with child abuse. An example of child abuse is a child who is beaten so badly resulting in the child receiving medical care. The severity of the abuse to a child can result in being either charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

Even if a person does not personally abuse a child, simply allowing the child abuse to occur, can result in the person being charged with child abuse.

Here are a few crimes against children according to the statutes:

* Child Trafficking
* Child Kidnapping
* Under-aged Labor
* Luring / Enticing
* Child Molestation
* Child Custody Interference
* Conveyance of a Child (unauthorized)
* Child Neglect / Battery
* Exposure to Controlled Substances

Texas State Laws help protect against child abusers

In recent years, the Texas Legislature has greatly strengthened parole, supervision, and notification requirements for child abusers and sex offenders. In particular:

sex offenders are to required register with local law enforcement agencies; specific
    information, including name, address, eye color and shoe size, is considered public
    information.
the state Department of Public Safety maintains a searchable database of registered
    sex offenders: more than 43,706 sex offenders were registered in Texas as of July
    2004.
the law allows courts to remove suspected child abusers from the home for up to 10
    days while an investigation takes place.
child sex offenders have tightened parole standards and are required to undergo
    mandatory counseling.
sex offenders are not permitted in "child safety zones," including near schools, play
    grounds and other areas.
registered sex offenders are required to submit DNA samples to the Combined DNA
    Index System (CODIS) for use in future criminal investigations.

In addition, the Legislature has broadened community and victim notification requirements. The new laws mandate notification of the community when a convicted sex offender is living there and require notification of the victim when a perpetrator is set for release on bail or parole, when a prisoner escapes, or when an offender is released to community supervision. Victims are now also allowed to speak at the offender's parole hearing.

If a child abuse crime has been committed, the victim’s rights are violated in the worst possible way. Our Dallas criminal defense team of attorneys at the the Law Office of Ward Maedgen represent child abuse / molestation victims in the Dallas area and throughout North Texas. We will take all the steps necessary to protect your rights and your privacy. If you or your loved one has been the victim of abuse, it’s time to get the help you deserve and fight back. Call a Dallas child abuse / molestation attorney today at our office for a free consultation.

               Dallas / North Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

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