Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 726.26 — Dependent adult abuse initiation of charges penalty
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Subchapter III: Resident, Dependent Adult, and Older Individual Protection Act, Iowa Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Iowa Code § 726.26
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. For the purposes of this section, “caretaker”, “dependent adult”, and “dependent adult abuse” mean the same as defined in section 235B.2 or section 235E.1, as applicable.
2. A charge of dependent adult abuse may be initiated upon the complaint of a private individual, as a result of an investigation by a social service agency, or on the direct initiative of the office of the attorney general, a county attorney, or a law enforcement agency.
3. A caretaker who intentionally or recklessly commits dependent adult abuse is guilty of murder in the second degree in violation of section 707.3 if the intentional or reckless dependent adult abuse results in the death of the dependent adult.
4. A caretaker who intentionally commits dependent adult abuse is guilty of a class “C” felony if the intentional dependent adult abuse results in serious injury.
5. A caretaker who recklessly commits dependent adult abuse is guilty of a class “D” felony if the reckless dependent adult abuse results in serious injury.
6. A caretaker who intentionally commits dependent adult abuse is guilty of a class “C” felony if the intentional dependent adult abuse results in physical injury.
7. A caretaker who commits dependent adult abuse by exploitation of a dependent adult is guilty of a class “D” felony if the value of the property, assets, or resources exceeds one hundred dollars.
8. A caretaker who recklessly commits dependent adult abuse is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if the reckless dependent adult abuse results in physical injury.
9. A caretaker who otherwise intentionally or knowingly commits dependent adult abuse is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
10. A caretaker who commits dependent adult abuse by exploitation of a dependent adult is guilty of a simple misdemeanor if the value of the property, assets, or resources is one hundred dollars or less.
11. A caretaker alleged to have committed dependent adult abuse shall be charged with the respective offense cited, unless a charge may be brought based upon a more serious offense, in which case the charge of the more serious offense shall supersede the less serious charge.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
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