Child Abuse Unit and Civil Child Abuse and Neglect Section

The Child Abuse Unit is made up of 22 dedicated prosecutors who fight to seek justice for children who have been abused and neglected. A Child Abuse Unit prosecutor, investigator and advocate are assigned to each of the ten District Courts.

The Child Abuse Unit investigates and prosecutes the following types of crimes: 

  • Capital Murder: First Degree Felony, punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or death.
  • Murder: First Degree Felony, punishable by 5-99 years, or life in prison.  
  • Super Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child: First Degree Felony, punishable by 25-99 years or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  • Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child: First Degree Felony, punishable by 25-99 years or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child: First Degree Felony, punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison.
  • Indecency with a Child by Contact: Second Degree Felony, punishable by 2-20 years in prison.
  • Indecency with a Child by Exposure: Third Degree Felony, punishable by 2-10 years in prison.
  • Injury to a Child (Knowingly Causing Serious Bodily Injury): First Degree Felony, punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison.
  • Injury to a Child (Recklessly Causing Serious Bodily Injury): Second Degree Felony, punishable by 2-20 years in prison.
  • Injury to a Child (Knowingly and Intentionally Causing Bodily Injury): Third Degree Felony, punishable by 2-10 years in prison.
  • Injury to a Child (Recklessly Causing Bodily Injury): State Jail Felony, punishable by 6 months to 2 years in state jail.

Civil Child Abuse and Neglect Section

The Civil Child Abuse and Neglect Section represents Child Protective Services and provides for the safety and protection of children who have been abused and neglected. The Department takes conservatorship of these children after an adversarial hearing. Services are provided to the parents and the Department attempts to reunite the family. If this is not possible, we seek to place the children with relatives, or pursue termination of parental rights and make these children available for adoption. The Civil Child Abuse and Neglect Section works hand in hand with and assists the Criminal Child Abuse Unit. The Civil Child Abuse and Neglect Section consist of eleven attorneys, two DA investigators, one victim advocate, ten paralegals and six legal secretaries.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact authorities.