State Laws And Let Grow Updates in Kentucky

Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated § 508.120 provides it is criminal abuse in the third degree to allow another to be abused by being put in a situation that may cause him serious harm. Endangerment is broadly defined to include the “fail[ure] or refus[al] to exercise reasonable diligence in the control of such child to prevent him from becoming a neglected, dependent or delinquent child.” Ken. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 530.030, A specific statute provides that it is second degree manslaughter to “Leav[e] a child under the age of eight (8) years in a motor vehicle under circumstances which manifest an extreme indifference to human life and which create a grave risk of death to the child, thereby causing the death of the child.” Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 507.040. Because this law treats broadly defined neglect as criminal conduct without limitations, this is viewed as a very punitive criminal law.

Kentucky’s Unified Juvenile Code provides that neglect is defined as the failure to provide the child with adequate care, supervision, food, clothing, shelter, and education or medical care necessary for the child’s well-being. Section 600.020.

This webpage is not a legal document, and Let Grow does not take responsibility for the content. Be mindful that some localities have rules and guidelines even when the state does not. When in doubt, consult your local authorities to confirm the laws where you live. What’s more, laws change, as do judicial interpretations of them, and this webpage may not be updated immediately.