MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

During a baseball game, you witness a father punch his 5-year-old daughter. What is the appropriate charge?

1. Not enough information for arrest. Investigate further.

2. Felony for Child Abuse in the presence of minors

3. Misdemeanor for Child Abuse in the presence of minors

4. Civil Infraction

The correct answer is: Felony for Child Abuse in the presence of minors

The appropriate charge in this scenario is based on the severity of the act witnessed and the context. When a father punches his 5-year-old daughter, this constitutes a serious form of abuse. In many jurisdictions, such actions are classified as felony child abuse due to the potential for significant physical harm and the violation of the child's rights to safety and protection. Felony child abuse often includes any form of physical violence inflicted on a child, especially when such abuse leaves visible marks or injuries. Given that the act occurred in a public setting, like a baseball game, and involved a vulnerable minor, the severity of the action further substantiates the need for a felony charge. In these cases, authorities are typically mandated to take immediate and serious action to ensure the child's safety and to address the criminal behavior exhibited by the parent. In contrast, other options such as a misdemeanor or civil infraction would not adequately reflect the gravity of the act, nor would they provide sufficient legal recourse to protect the child. The decision to classify this as a felony aligns with the objective of the legal system to prevent child abuse and promote the welfare of minors.