A 39-year-old Fort Lauderdale mother has been charged with hitting her son with a metal pipe after he cleaned his bedroom. She was reportedly unhappy with the way that he cleaned it. She now faces a charge of aggravated child abuse. As per a spokesperson for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the son was found outside of his home after his mother took his house key and forced him out of the door after she allegedly hit him several times with the pipe. A police officer is said to have found the pipe inside of the home. It was reportedly bent. A police spokesperson said that the boy had a cut on his ear and abrasions on his forearm.
Aggravated child abuse in Florida is governed by Florida Statute 827.03(1)(a). It can occur by willfully torturing a child, maliciously punishing him or her, caging a child, or abusing a child in such a manner that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement.
Aggravated child abuse is a first-degree felony in Florida. It’s punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If you’ve been charged with this offense, you’ll want to seek the advice and counsel of an experienced and effective Fort Lauderdale child abuse attorney. Without any mitigating evidence, a judge is required to sentence an aggravated child abuse offender to a minimum of four years in a state prison along with a fine not to exceed $10,000. A defense of parental privilege exists in connection with the offense. A parent has the privilege of reasonably disciplining a child who is under their control and authority, but if signs of injuries go beyond minor, the parent might have exceed his or her privilege.
If you think that you’re going to be arrested, or if you have been arrested for child abuse in or around Fort Lauderdale, Kenneth Hassett is an experienced and effective Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney. Don’t give police any type of statement or confession. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Contact Fort Lauderdale child abuse attorney Kenneth Hassett right away at 954-791-3939 after being taken into custody on any criminal charge.
