Iowa criminal charge
Child endangerment in Iowa
Child endangerment is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 726.6. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 726.6.
How is child endangerment classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child endangerment resulting in death | Class “B” Felony | Applies when a person commits child endangerment that results in the death of a child or minor. | Iowa Code § 726.6(5) |
| Child endangerment resulting in serious injury | Class “C” Felony | Applies when a person commits child endangerment that results in serious injury to a child or minor. | Iowa Code § 726.6(6) |
| Child endangerment resulting in bodily injury, or (1)(g) violation without serious injury, or subsection (2) violation | Class “D” Felony | Applies when child endangerment results in bodily injury (but not serious injury), when a violation of subsection (1)(g) occurs without resulting serious injury, or when a person violates subsection (2) (registered sex offender knowingly having control of or unsupervised access to a minor). | Iowa Code § 726.6(7) |
| Child endangerment not otherwise subject to penalty under subsections 5, 6, or 7 | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Applies to any child endangerment offense that does not result in death, serious injury, or bodily injury, and is not a violation of subsection (1)(g) or (2), as covered by subsections 5 through 7. | Iowa Code § 726.6(8) |
Common questions about child endangerment in Iowa
Is child endangerment a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: child endangerment ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “B” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 726.6.
Child endangerment resulting in death: Class “B” Felony (Iowa Code § 726.6(5)) · Child endangerment resulting in serious injury: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 726.6(6)) · Child endangerment resulting in bodily injury, or (1)(g) violation without serious injury, or subsection (2) violation: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 726.6(7)) · Child endangerment not otherwise subject to penalty under subsections 5, 6, or 7: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 726.6(8))
Which Iowa statute covers child endangerment?
Child endangerment is governed by Iowa Code § 726.6 (Child endangerment).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.