Child Neglect, Endangerment and Abuse Bail Bonds in San Diego County

• Under California Penal Code 273a, child endangerment takes place when "Every person who, under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, [willfully inflicts unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child,] [or] [willfully causes or, as a result of criminal negligence, permits a child to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering,] [or] [has care or custody of a child and]:
  • [willfully causes or, as a result of criminal negligence, permits the child to be injured,] [or]
  • [b] [willfully causes, or, as a result of criminal negligence, permits the child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health is endangered,]
  • is guilty of a violation of Penal Code section 273a, subdivision (a), a crime. The word "willfully" as used in this instruction, means "with knowledge of the consequences" or "purposefully."

• Under California Penal Code 273d, child abuse takes place when someone physically injures or imposes cruel physical punishment on a child.

Child Neglect, Endangerment and Abuse Punishments Bail Bonds Costs in San Diego County

The bail amounts for child neglect, endangerment and abuse can range from $100 to $100,000.

In San Diego County, bail costs are set according to a bail schedule and after the arrest, at the jail, the bail cost will initially be set according to the schedule. When the arrestees remain in jail until they are seen by a judge, the judge will decide if the bail should be raised or lowered. The judge can raise the amount or can even refuse bail.

How Much Time in Jail Can Someone Get for Child Neglect, Endangerment and Abuse Punishments in San Diego County?

For failure to provide care, the defendant may be facing:

• Summary probation
• Up to 1 year in county jail
• A fine of up to $2,000

For child endangerment, the defendant may be facing:

• Up to 1 year in a county jail for misdemeanor child endangerment
• 2, 4, 6 in state prison for felony child endangerment

For child abuse, the defendant may be facing:

• 1 year in jail for misdemeanor child abuse
• 2, 4, 6, or even more years in state prison for felony child abuse

Child Neglect in San Diego County: Case Examples

• A couple was arrested and pleaded no contest to felony child neglect charges in the death of their 10-year-old daughter caused by health problems. Prosecutors explained that the religious beliefs of the parents kept them from providing the treatment that could have saved the child's life.
• A 53-year-old Chula Vista man was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and child neglect after losing contact with his 2-year-old grandchild. The defendant was arrested one morning around 1 a.m. while at a local taco shop eating a burrito. His family told the police that the man had taken the grandchild to get a burrito. After they didn't come back for some hours, family members went searching for them. They found the man at the taco shop and called the police for help.

Child Endangerment in San Diego County: Case Examples

• A former state Assemblyman was released from jail on bail after being arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse and child endangerment. The defendant was arrested after police were summoned to his home. He was booked and then released on $10,000 bail.
• The mother of a 2-year-old boy found wandering the streets was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment. The defendant, 20, was taken into custody at a San Diego County Sheriff's Department Station. Her son was spotted wandering in the middle of the street by a tow truck driver, who alerted deputies.

Child Abuse in San Diego County: Case Examples

During their investigation in the case, the Police found 2 boys and a girl malnourished and showing signs of physical and emotional abuse. One of the children had to be hospitalized. The defendants, 31 and 42, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse.