Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Washington Revised Code Title 9A. Washington Criminal Code § 9A.42.070. Abandonment of a dependent person in the second degree--Exception

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(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 second 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 other 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 substantial bodily harm; or

(ii) Abandoning the child or other dependent person creates an imminent and substantial risk that the child or other dependent person will die or suffer great 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 second degree is a class C felony.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 9A. Washington Criminal Code § 9A.42.070. Abandonment of a dependent person in the second degree--Exception - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-9a-washington-criminal-code/wa-rev-code-9a-42-070/

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 before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

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.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

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.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard