Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2023 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
(a) Abuse of a child is committing any of the following acts against a child under 18 years of age:
(1)(A) Knowingly torturing, cruelly beating, cruelly striking or cruelly kicking;
(B) knowingly inflicting cruel and inhuman corporal punishment; or
(C) knowingly using cruel and inhuman physical restraint, including caging or confining the child in a space not designated for human habitation or binding the child in a way that is not medically necessary;
(2) recklessly causing great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability or disfigurement; or
(3)(A) knowingly causing great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability or disfigurement;
(B) knowingly inflicting cruel and inhuman corporal punishment with a deadly weapon; or
(C) knowingly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat, neck or chest of the child or by blocking the nose or mouth of the child in a manner whereby death or great bodily harm could be inflicted.
(b) Abuse of a child as defined in:
(1) Subsection (a)(1) is a:
(A) Severity level 5, person felony if the child is at least six years of age but less than 18 years of age; and
(B) severity level 3, person felony if the child is under six years of age;
(2) subsection (a)(2) is a severity level 4, person felony; and
(3) subsection (a)(3) is a severity level 3, person felony.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Kansas Statutes Chapter 21. Crimes and Punishments § 21-5602. Abuse of a child - last updated January 01, 2023 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ks/chapter-21-crimes-and-punishments/ks-st-sect-21-5602/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)