Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio

I was recently stopped by police as I left a shopping center for potential child endangerment. I foolishly left my 1-year-0ld sleeping in the car as I, literally, ran into the store to grab a few items. I do not believe that I was in the store for more than a few minutes. In that time, according to the officer, they had received multiple calls regarding my child. Some quick background info about the time and weather. It was probably mid 40's outside, the sky was clear and the car was in the sun. I had left the windows cracked between 1-1.5 in to prevent the car from getting too hot. The officer gave me a stern lecture (deserved), ran my license, took my phone #, and left stating that he was going to review security tapes. I was not issued a citation at the time and it has been approx. a day and a half since the incident with no phone call. I have no previous history of child endangerment, nor would I ever willfully desire to harm my child in any way. In this instance, a made a very poor lapse in judgement.

I have been racked with stress and guilt ever since. I sincerely regret the choice and would NEVER leave my child alone in the car again (not that it necessarily matters at the moment). I love my child beyond words and I am terrified and extremely embarrassed over the potential consequences, of which I cannot find much information on (thus adding to my stress). I have known at least one couple in the past who was needlessly dragged through the whole child protective services wringer over a gross misunderstanding (they did not speak or understand English or their situation very well, not that it directly relates to what happened here) and I am terrified at the thought have having to subject my family to the same.

Again, I cannot stress enough how sorry I am for my actions, and I am trying to find out how I should proceed or what I might expect in the coming days/week as I haven't been able to find much information (relative to the circumstances presented). Should I expect a citation in the mail since one was not issued at the time? Should I contact an attorney if I do? Am I going to have to worry about Child Protective Services showing up at my door to take my child away?


Asked on 4/08/12, 5:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Eric Willison Eric Eastman Willison

If you get charged with Child Endangerment then you are going to need an attorney. If Children's services comes and wants to speak with you or take your children away, you are going to want to talk with an attorney. In either case, if you can't afford an attorney, you need to speak with the public defender's office about getting representation. These are serious charges and saying that you are sorry isn't going to cut it with either the prosecutor nor the folks at children's services.

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Answered on 4/09/12, 7:44 pm


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