39-15-402 - Haley's Law Aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect or endangerment Definitions. - Tennessee Statutes

39-15-402. Haley's Law Aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect or endangerment Definitions.

(a)  A person commits the offense of aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect or aggravated child endangerment, who commits child abuse, as defined in § 39-15-401(a); child neglect, as defined in § 39-15-401(b); or child endangerment, as defined in § 39-15-401(c) and:

     (1)  The act of abuse, neglect or endangerment results in serious bodily injury to the child;

     (2)  A deadly weapon, dangerous instrumentality or controlled substance is used to accomplish the act of abuse, neglect or endangerment; or

     (3)  The act of abuse, neglect or endangerment was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, or involved the infliction of torture to the victim.

(b)  A violation of this section is a Class B felony; provided, however, that, if the abused, neglected or endangered child is eight (8) years of age or less, or is vulnerable because the victim is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated or suffers from a physical disability, the penalty is a Class A felony.

(c)  Nothing in this part shall be construed to mean a child is abused, neglected, or endangered, or abused, neglected or endangered in an aggravated manner, for the sole reason the child is being provided treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone, in accordance with the tenets or practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner of the recognized church or religious denomination, in lieu of medical or surgical treatment.

(d)  “Serious bodily injury to the child” includes, but is not limited to, second- or third-degree burns, a fracture of any bone, a concussion, subdural or subarachnoid bleeding, retinal hemorrhage, cerebral edema, brain contusion, injuries to the skin that involve severe bruising or the likelihood of permanent or protracted disfigurement, including those sustained by whipping children with objects.

(e)  A “dangerous instrumentality” is any item that, in the manner of its use or intended use as applied to a child, is capable of producing serious bodily injury to a child, as serious bodily injury to a child is defined in this section.

(f)  This section shall be known and may be cited as “Haley's Law”.

[Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1994, ch. 978, §§ 2, 8; 1996, ch. 1069, § 1; 1998, ch. 1040, § 1; 2005, ch. 487, § 2; 2009, ch. 88, § 1; 2009, ch. 89, § 1; 2009, ch. 418, § 2.]