What Criminal Charges Can Pennsylvania Daycare Workers Face?

A daycare, or a child care center, is where parents expect their children to be safe under strict supervision. However, the smallest of mishaps, like an injury or a minor judgmental lapse, can bring about severe criminal accusations against the daycare worker.

So, if you work as a daycare employee or own a daycare center in Pennsylvania, and have been accused of certain charges, you must know what the actions or charges could lead to a criminal investigation and what penalties are involved. Added to that, you must also know that hiring a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is mandatory, as they are the only professionals who can help protect your rights and save you from getting a conviction!

Scenarios that Can Lead to Charges Against Daycare Workers

If you’re a daycare worker, you’d better stay extra careful at work! That’s because routine conduct can get misinterpreted when it comes to young children!

Here are some scenarios that can result in criminal charges-

Disciplinarian issues

Brief physical restraints might get reported as abuse if you don’t document them properly, or if the child is going through distress.

Inappropriate Conduct

One of the most serious charges. Such charges often arise from miscommunication or false accusations. However, you’re still at risk of facing charges like sexual abuse or unlawful contact with a minor.

Negligence

You’re also vulnerable to negligence charges if any child is wandering about the premises without supervision, or if you fail to notice an injury.

Accidental injuries

If a child trips during any indoor activity or falls while playing, you might face endangerment charges if the parent thinks their child wasn’t being supervised properly.

Failing to report

If another caregiver harms or harasses a child, and you fail to report it to the administration, you could face charges!

Now that you know what actions can lead to you facing charges, let’s take a look at the type of criminal charges you could face-

• Endangering the welfare of a child
• Child abuse, or negligence
• Failure to report child abuse
• Sexual assault of a minor
• Aggravated assault on a minor

And the harsh truth is that even if the charges are false or arise from some misunderstandings, they still carry severe penalties, along with harsh consequences.

Penalties You Can Face

Now, the severity of the penalty totally depends on the kind of charge, the age of the child, whether any physical harm/ injury occurred, and your intent.

Endangering the welfare of a child: A misdemeanor of the first degree. Becomes a felony in case of repeat offenders, or if done wilfully. Penalties include up to 5 years of imprisonment, along with $10,000 fine.

Sexual assault: Felony charges, along with the mandatory minimum sentences, which depend on the age of the child and the severity of the case.

Aggravated assault on a minor: Felony of the first or second degree. The imprisonment sentence ranges from 10- 20 years.

Along with these, you’ll also get permanently registered as a sex offender and might lose your teaching/ childcare license. That’s the reason why hiring a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer becomes mandatory in such sensitive cases.

What are the Defense Strategies in Such Cases?

Charges against daycare workers can indeed get severe. But here’s how an expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help. They can-

• Challenge whether the evidence was obtained lawfully or not.
• Point out inconsistencies in witness statements.
• Prove that the actions caused were compliant with the childcare protocols.
• Unravel physical evidence to back your innocence.
• Negotiate to reduce charges, or dismiss the entire case.

An experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can effectively help you navigate the entire proceedings and also protect your rights.

So, if you are facing any of the above charges as a daycare worker, don’t wait up! Our knowledgeable Pittsburgh criminal lawyers at the Logue Law Group handle such cases frequently and know how to get you out of this situation. Call us at 844.PITT.DUI and schedule a free consultation to learn more.