Child Abuse

Child Abuse Defense Attorney

Child abuse charges present numerous complexities and ramifications for both the prosecution and defense.

Child abuse is a profoundly serious offense, held in equal regard as sexual assault under Pennsylvania law. Consequently, individuals accused of child abuse face some of the harshest penalties.

Allegations of child abuse can have devastating effects on personal life, relationships, marriage, and community standing, even in the absence of conviction. It is crucial, therefore, to engage the services of a skilled and experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney when faced with child abuse charges. At Logue Law Group, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers are committed to safeguarding your rights and vigorously defending you against all allegations.

Child abuse encompasses emotional, physical, and sexual ill-treatment, as well as negligence, directed at children. Such acts, whether committed by a parent or caregiver, pose harm or potential harm to a child and can occur within the child’s home, schools, organizations, or associated communities.

There are four major categories of child abuse:

Negligence: Neglectful acts leading to severe physical injury that inflicts great pain or permanently impairs the child’s physical functioning.

Physical Abuse: Harm that endangers a child’s life, physical development, or overall functioning.

Psychological Abuse: Manipulation or exploitation with severe detrimental effects on the child’s mental health.

Sexual Abuse: Obscene behaviors involving children, such as sexual games, inappropriate touching, or encouraging a child to touch another individual’s genitals for sexual stimulation.

Children who have experienced abuse often exhibit symptoms such as sleep disturbances, nightmares, aggressive outbursts, withdrawal, and depression. They may also display discomfort with specific individuals, possess premature sexual knowledge, exhibit inappropriate language or behavior for their age.

Reporting Child Abuse

Certain professionals are mandated to report suspected child abuse, known as Mandatory Reporters. These individuals include:

• Teachers
• Clergy
• Doctors
• Child care workers
• Dentists
• Law enforcement officials/police officers

Failure to report child abuse can lead to criminal charges, depending on the person involved:

• School employees may face a summary offense.
• Mandatory Reporters other than school employees may face a second-degree misdemeanor.

Reports are typically made to the Department of Child and Youth Services (CYS). During this process, the child is taken into protective custody, and a forensic interview is conducted by an expert. However, it’s important to note that the questioning technique used in such interviews may taint the investigation.

In these cases, it is crucial to have a skilled Pittsburgh criminal attorney who understands the intricacies involved. 

Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney 

If you are facing an investigation or charges related to child abuse in or near Pittsburgh, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a skilled and experienced Pittsburgh child abuse attorney without delay.

Attorney Sean Logue, a Pittsburgh DUI Attorney, brings a unique perspective to these cases, having previously prosecuted child abuse and child pornography crimes. With his vast knowledge of these matters, he is prepared to fight diligently on your behalf. We will vigorously challenge any evidence presented against you, ensuring meticulous scrutiny of any records obtained from CYS. In the pursuit of justice, we will aggressively dismantle any inaccurately obtained evidence.

At the core of these cases lies the need for swift, decisive action to safeguard your rights. We encourage you to reach out and arrange a consultation as soon as possible.

To schedule a free initial consultation with a highly skilled child abuse lawyer in the Pittsburgh area, please contact us online or call 844.PITT.DUI. Our team is ready to assist you.