Little Rock Felony Child Abuse Lawyer

Little Rock Felony Child Abuse Attorney

It can be humiliating and socially devastating to be charged with felony child abuse. To many people, crimes against children are considered unforgivable and heinous. Sometimes, just the accusation can be enough for people to completely sever ties with you. The last thing you want is for a child abuse charge to lead to a conviction. Not only will that likely land you in prison, but you’ll have a criminal defense record. You should reach out to a Little Rock felony child abuse lawyer to fight against these charges.

The legal team at Lemley Law Partners can put together a strong felony defense strategy to challenge the felony child abuse charges being made against you. When you have a criminal record, it follows you for life. Certain violent crimes can never be expunged from your record. That record can affect your social standing, employment opportunities, and even personal relationships with family and friends. A lawyer can represent you and challenge your allegations.

Felony Child Abuse in Little Rock

According to a performance report from the Arkansas Department of Human Services, there have been over 7,800 reports of child maltreatment in just the first quarter of 2025 alone. Of these reports, nearly 80% were assigned to be investigated. Of the children in those cases, over 1,200 were found to be neglected, and over 370 were found to be physically abused. If you are charged with abuse yourself, your child may be taken for protection by Child Protective Services in Little Rock.

In Arkansas, felony child abuse includes acts of harm by a child’s caretaker that result in the child being injured, malnourished, sexually exploited, or neglected. The penalties for felony child abuse can range anywhere from a Class D felony to a Class B felony, with a higher sentence, depending on the details of the case. If it’s a Class D, you could be looking at six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If it’s a Class B, you could end up in prison for up to 20 years.

Anyone who is entrusted with the care of a child is legally responsible for making sure nothing happens to that child. These include parents, guardians, teachers, foster parents, and even a parent’s significant other. If a child is hurt under your watch, you could end up facing charges of felony child abuse, which could cause catastrophic damage to your reputation and social standing. You should reach out to a felony child abuse lawyer immediately if you are accused of this crime.

Different Forms of Child Abuse

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are four main types of abuse that one can endure, including children. Abuse itself is defined as treating a person or animal with cruelty or violence, possibly repeatedly. These are the charges you may be facing, and it is very important to recognize the different degrees and forms of abuse or domestic violence with which you may be charged.

Here are the four main types of abuse:

• Neglect: Neglect occurs when you simply ignore something and let it fester, even though the individual suffering neglect needs you to take care of them. You can neglect a child, a pet, a significant other, and more by simply ignoring their basic needs. This is the most common form of child abuse.
• Physical abuse: Physical abuse occurs when you actively hit, punch, kick, or assault someone. Physical abuse is also quite common in child abuse cases. It can include shaking, biting, burning, and aggressive corporal punishment. These cases may also fall under Arkansas Domestic Violence Laws if the abuse occurred within a household.
• Psychological abuse: When you psychologically abuse a child, you are essentially using verbal abuse, humiliation, and terror to scare that child into acting the way you want. This sort of abuse often results in psychological troubles that the child may have later in life.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse is often categorized as a sex crime. Sexual abuse of a child is described as any sort of sexual contact with an underage minor, since children are not mentally developed enough to give any sort of sexual consent. It also includes exposure to sexually explicit images,  videos, or child pornography.

FAQs

Q: How Long Does a DHS Investigation Take in Little Rock, AR?

A: An investigation by the Department of Human Services (DHS) generally takes around 30 days to fully complete in Little Rock, AR. However, it can always be extended if necessary, depending on the case at hand. The goal of a DHS investigation is to focus on making sure the child’s well-being is thoroughly protected.

Q: What Is Inadequate Supervision of a Child?

A: Inadequate supervision of a child is legally considered a form of neglect. It occurs when a child’s designated caregiver, who could be a parent, teacher, or someone else, simply does not provide the child with the right level of attention or care to ensure their safety. As a result, they put the child in danger by exposing them to harm.

Q: How Long Is a Parent Legally Responsible for a Child in Arkansas?

A: Generally, a parent is legally responsible for their child in Arkansas until the child turns 18 years old. At that point, the child is now considered a legal adult, and parents no longer have a legal responsibility to take care of them. Many children may decide to cut ties with their families entirely at 18, while, in other families, nothing changes at 18. Every family is different.

Q: What Is the New Custody Law in Arkansas?

A: The most recent custody law in Arkansas was passed in 2021. Act 604 establishes joint custody as the default custody agreement in child custody orders. This way, both parents receive equal custody and responsibility for their children. If a parent seeks sole custody, they will need to prepare a convincing argument, with clear evidence of the other parent’s neglect.

Reach Out to a Felony Child Abuse Lawyer Today

Facing allegations and charges of child abuse can be enough to completely change how people perceive you. Crimes against children are often decided in the court of public opinion very quickly, and it can be difficult to fight those charges without the help of an experienced defense lawyer.

Lemley Law Partners can figure out how to defend your case. We can develop a defense strategy, gather the evidence you need, and protect your interests throughout. Contact us to speak to our firm about your case.