Utah criminal charge
Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult in Utah
Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5. Its classification is not fixed: Utah 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 Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5.
What is the penalty for endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Basic endangerment — A violation of Subsection (2), causing or permitting a child or vulnerable adult to be exposed to, inhale, ingest, or have contact with a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia, is a third degree felony absent aggravating injury or death.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Basic endangerment — A violation of Subsection (2), causing or permitting a child or vulnerable adult to be exposed to, inhale, ingest, or have contact with a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia, is a third degree felony absent aggravating injury or death.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Endangerment resulting in bodily injury — The violation is a second degree felony if the child or vulnerable adult suffers bodily injury, substantial bodily injury, or serious bodily injury as a result of the conduct.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Endangerment resulting in bodily injury — The violation is a second degree felony if the child or vulnerable adult suffers bodily injury, substantial bodily injury, or serious bodily injury as a result of the conduct.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Endangerment resulting in death — The violation is a first degree felony if the child or vulnerable adult dies as a result of the conduct.; indeterminate prison term of not less than five years and which may be for life, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Endangerment resulting in death — The violation is a first degree felony if the child or vulnerable adult dies as a result of the conduct.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic endangerment | Third Degree Felony | A violation of Subsection (2), causing or permitting a child or vulnerable adult to be exposed to, inhale, ingest, or have contact with a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia, is a third degree felony absent aggravating injury or death. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5(3)(a) |
| Endangerment resulting in bodily injury | Second Degree Felony | The violation is a second degree felony if the child or vulnerable adult suffers bodily injury, substantial bodily injury, or serious bodily injury as a result of the conduct. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5(3)(b) |
| Endangerment resulting in death | First Degree Felony | The violation is a first degree felony if the child or vulnerable adult dies as a result of the conduct. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5(3)(c) |
Common questions about endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult in Utah
Is endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5.
Basic endangerment: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5(3)(a)) · Endangerment resulting in bodily injury: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5(3)(b)) · Endangerment resulting in death: First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5(3)(c))
What are the penalties for endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult in Utah?
Penalties for endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Third Degree Felony up to a First Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult?
Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-112.5 (Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult).
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.