17-A §555. Endangering welfare of dependent person - Maine Statutes

Title 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE

Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES

Chapter 23: OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

§555. Endangering welfare of dependent person

1. A person is guilty of endangering the welfare of a dependent person if:

A. The person recklessly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent person who is unable to perform self-care because of advanced age or physical or mental disease, disorder or defect. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or [2005, c. 431, §1 (NEW).]

B. The person intentionally or knowingly endangers the health, safety or mental welfare of a dependent person who is unable to perform self-care because of advanced age or physical or mental disease, disorder or defect. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime. [2005, c. 431, §1 (NEW).]

[ 2005, c. 431, §1 (RPR) .]

2. As used in this section, "endangers" includes a failure to act only when the defendant has a legal duty to protect the health, safety or mental welfare of the dependent person. For purposes of this section, a legal duty may be inferred if the defendant has assumed responsibility for the care of the dependent person.

[ 2005, c. 431, §1 (RPR) .]

3.

[ 2005, c. 431, §1 (RP) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW). 1995, c. 110, §1 (AMD). 2001, c. 111, §1 (AMD). 2005, c. 431, §1 (RPR).