Arkansas Child
Welfare Practice Model
Arkansas Department
of Human Services
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S569
700 Main Street
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
Division of Children and Family
Phone (501) 682-1001
Care * Commit * Connect
Together for Arkansas Families
|
Legal Child
Discipline
Children are valued
and cared for in
Arkansas. The state
has passed laws
concerning child
discipline in order
to protect children
from physical abuse
and neglect. As a
parent or caretaker,
it is important to
know the law in
Arkansas.
According to state
law, the word
"abuse" does not
include some
physical discipline
of a child.
Arkansas laws
have made certain
actions illegal. For
any person entrusted
with , including
parents or
guardians, it is
illegal to use
extreme or repeated
cruelty. In general,
the law prohibits
physical,
psychological, or
sexual abuse of any
child.
Physical Abuse
As a parent or
guardian, you are
morally and legally
responsible for the
welfare of your
child. Please
remember the
following actions
are considered
unreasonable, as
written in state law
(this list does not
include all
punishable actions;
for more info, call
501-683-2042):
-
Striking
a
child
on
the
face
or
head
-
Shaking
a
child
under
age
three
-
Shaking
any
child
in a
way
that
causes
physical
injury
-
Striking
a
child
with
a
closed
fist
-
Throwing,
kicking,
burning,
biting,
or
cutting
a
child
-
Interfering
with
a
child’s
breathing
-
Threatening
a
child
with
a
deadly
weapon
-
Pinching,
striking,
or
biting
a
child’s
genitals
-
Causing
greater
than
passing
pain
or
leave
more
than
minor
temporary
marks
-
Tying
a
child
to a
fixed
or
heavy
object
or
binding
or
tying
a
child’s
limbs
together
-
Giving
a
child
or
permitting
a
child
to
consume
or
inhale
a
poisonous
or
noxious
substance
not
prescribed
by a
physician
that
can
interfere
with
normal
functions
-
Giving
a
child
or
permitting
a
child
to
consume
or
inhale
a
substance
that
can
alter
their
mood,
if
it
has
not
been
prescribed
by a
physician,
including
but
not
limited
to:
marijuana;
alcohol
(except
alcohol
used
in a
recognized
and
established
religious
ceremony);
narcotics;
inappropriate
over-the-counter
drugs
or
even
appropriate
over-the-counter
drugs
if a
person
purposely
administers
an
overdose
to a
child
and
the
child
suffers
negative
consequences
from
the
overdose
or
inappropriate
over-the-counter
drug
-
Exposing
a
child
to
chemicals
that
have
the
capacity
to
interfere
with
normal
functions,
such
as
chemicals
used
or
generated
during
the
making
of
methamphetamine
-
Causing
a
child
to
believe
they
have
an
illness
they
do
not
have
(Munchausen
Syndrome
by
Proxy)
if
the
incident
is
reported
and
confirmed
by
medical
staff
or a
medical
facility
Neglect
Children depend on
adults to provide
for them. Parents or
guardians are held
responsible by law
to take care of
their children’s
basic needs. If the
caretakers do not
see that children’s
basic needs are met,
this is called
neglect. State law
declares the
following actions to
be neglect (this
list does not
include all
punishable actions;
for more info, call
501-682-8541):
-
Failure
to
prevent
abuse
if
the
caretaker
has
reason
to
believe
the
child
is
being
abused
-
Failure
or
refusal
to
provide
food,
clothing,
shelter,
and
education
for
the
child
-
Failure
to
provide
necessary
medical
treatment,
unless
the
responsible
person
is
financially
unable
to
do
so
-
Failure
to
protect
the
child
from
abandonment,
abuse,
sexual
abuse,
sexual
exploitation,
neglect,
or
even
another
parent
or
guardian
Consequences
To
ensure the safety
and welfare of
children, adults are
held responsible for
their actions
towards children.
If a parent or
caretaker abuses or
neglects a child,
there are serious
consequences,
including fines and
jail time.
Endangering the
welfare of a child
in the first degree
is a Class D felony.
This occurs when
someone purposely
deserts a child less
than 10 years old,
creating a
substantial risk of
death or serious
physical injury. A
Class D felony could
result in a $10,000
fine and a up to 6
years in prison.
Endangering the
welfare of a child
in the second degree
is a Class A
misdemeanor. This
could mean a $1,000
fine and up to 1
year in prison.
NOTE:
The Division of
Children and Family
Services strives to
keep all of its
publications such as
this one up-to-date.
However, while this
brochure may be
accurate at the time
of printing, the
Division of Children
and Family Services
is not responsible
for inaccuracies due
to subsequent
changes in state
law.
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