RCW 9A.42.080
233 words·~1 min read·
/wa/title-9a/chapter-9a-42/9a-42-080·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
(1)Except as provided in subsection
(2)of this section, a person is guilty of the crime of abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree if:
(a)The person is the parent of a child, a person entrusted with the physical custody of a child or other dependent person, a person who has assumed the responsibility to provide to a dependent person the basic necessities of life, or a person employed to provide to the child or dependent person any of the basic necessities of life; and
(b)The person recklessly abandons the child or other dependent person; and:
(i)As a result of being abandoned, the child or other dependent person suffers bodily harm; or
(ii)Abandoning the child or other dependent person creates an imminent and substantial risk that the child or other person will suffer substantial bodily harm.
(2)A parent of a newborn who transfers the newborn to a qualified person at an appropriate location pursuant to RCW 13.34.360 is not subject to criminal liability under this section.
(3)Abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.
[ 2006 c 228 s 8 ; 2002 c 331 s 5 ; 1996 c 302 s 4 .]
Notes:
Intent — Effective date — 2002 c 331: See notes following RCW 13.34.360 .
Severability — 1996 c 302: See note following RCW 9A.42.010 .