Child Abuse

Child Abuse Defense Attorney

Child abuse allegations carry significant complexities and severe consequences for everyone involved. In West Virginia, these charges are treated with the same gravity as other major offenses, meaning those accused can face some of the most stringent penalties under the law.

An accusation of child abuse can profoundly disrupt your personal life, relationships, and standing within the community, even without a conviction. It is essential to secure representation from a skilled and experienced criminal lawyer when confronted with such charges. At Logue Law Group, our legal team is dedicated to protecting your rights and mounting a vigorous defense against any allegations you face.

Child abuse is defined as the emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment of a child, as well as neglect. These acts, whether carried out by a parent or another caregiver, present a risk of harm to a child. They can happen in the child’s home, at school, within community organizations, or other associated environments. If you or someone you know is facing such allegations, a Wheeling criminal lawyer can provide critical legal guidance and defense.

The Four Major Categories of Child Abuse

Child abuse is generally classified into four distinct types:

• Negligence: This involves neglectful actions that result in serious physical injury, causing significant pain or permanently impairing a child’s physical abilities.
• Physical Abuse: Any harm that puts a child’s life, physical development, or overall well-being at risk.
• Psychological Abuse: This includes manipulation or exploitation that leads to severe negative impacts on a child’s mental and emotional health.
• Sexual Abuse: Involves obscene acts with children, such as engaging in sexual games, inappropriate touching, or encouraging a child to touch someone else’s genitals for sexual gratification.

If you’re facing child abuse allegations, contact a skilled Wheeling DUI attorney to protect your rights and build a strong defense.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Child Abuse

Children who have been subjected to abuse may show various symptoms, including sleep problems, nightmares, sudden aggressive behavior, social withdrawal, and depression. They might also express discomfort around certain people, have sexual knowledge that is advanced for their age, or use language and exhibit behaviors that are inappropriate for their developmental stage. A knowledgeable Wheeling DUI attorney can provide guidance on how these symptoms might be presented in a case.

Reporting Child Abuse

In West Virginia, certain professionals are legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse. These individuals are known as Mandatory Reporters and include:

• Teachers
• Clergy
• Doctors
• Child care workers
• Dentists
• Law enforcement officials/police officers

Failing to report suspected child abuse can result in criminal charges, with penalties varying based on the individual’s role:

• School employees may be charged with a summary offense.
• Mandatory Reporters who are not school employees could face a second-degree misdemeanor.

Reports are generally made to Child Protective Services (CPS). When a report is filed, the child is often placed in protective custody, and a forensic interview is conducted by a trained expert. It is important to understand that the questioning methods used during these interviews can sometimes influence the investigation’s outcome, making expert legal counsel from a Wheeling criminal lawyer crucial.

Wheeling Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are under investigation or facing charges related to child abuse in or around Wheeling, seeking immediate help from a skilled and experienced child abuse attorney is critical.

Attorney Sean Logue, also a respected Wheeling DUI attorney, offers a distinct advantage in these cases, having previously prosecuted child abuse and child pornography crimes. His extensive knowledge of these complex matters equips him to fight tirelessly for you. Our team will challenge all evidence brought against you, meticulously reviewing any records obtained from CPS. We are committed to aggressively dismantling any evidence that was obtained improperly in our pursuit of justice.

In these situations, swift and decisive action is essential to protect your rights. We urge you to contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.

To arrange a free initial consultation with a highly qualified child abuse lawyer in the Wheeling area, please reach out to us online or call 844.PITT.DUI. Our team of Wheeling criminal lawyers is prepared to help.