Children are perhaps the most vulnerable victims of crime and Illinois law seeks to ensure the best interest of every child is always a number one priority. When an individual is charged with child endangerment under Illinois law, the criminal justice system seeks a harsh punishment to deter individuals from posing a serious risk of harm to children.
As recently as yesterday, March 19, 2019, a Round Lake Park mother of two children ages 4 and 2 was charged with Child Endangerment. The children were found walking along a busy roadway around 6:00 AM by a passing motorist. The parent was not aware that both had left their home located several blocks away and were walking to a local gas station to purchase candy.
The children were taken into protective custody by the Round Lake Park Police Department and the Illini Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) was notified. Approximately 1 hour later a parent was located. It took the parent over 2 more hours to come to the Round Lake Park Police Department. Aftef 2 hours officer went to the children’s home to contact the parent finding her asleep. The mother was arrested ,the children were turned over to a DCFS investigator.
Child Endangerment in Illinois
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/12C-5, an individual may be found guilty of child endangerment if he or she knowingly (1) causes or permits the life or health of a child under the age of 18 to be endangered; or (2) causes or permits a child to be placed in circumstances that endanger the child’s life or health.
Examples of child endangerment under Illinois law include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- Leaving a child 6 years of age or younger in an unattended motor vehicle for more than 10 minutes;
- Leaving a child under the age of 18 in an abandoned home or building;
- Failing to remove a child under the age of 18 from a violent and/or abusive environment;
- Possessing and/or using drugs in front of a child under the age of 18; and
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child under the age of 18 as a passenger.
Illinois law defines “unattended” as being unaccompanied by a person 14 years of age or older, or if accompanied by a person 14 years of age or older, out of sight of that person. A conviction of child endangerment is considered a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois. If the convicted individual is a parent, the sentence may be probation. A second or subsequent child endangerment conviction is considered a Class 3 felony. If a child dies as a result of child endangerment, the crime is considered a Class 3 felony, and the punishment if convicted results in prison time not less than two years to not more than ten years.
If you suspect Child Abuse contact your local police Department or the DCFS Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873)
You can also contact the Round Lake Park Police Department confidential on this website by going to the Contact page.
