A couple was recently charged with Cruelty and Neglect of Children by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office after allegedly leaving two kids, aged two and three, alone in a car while the couple spent “approximately 20 minutes” at a roadside winery in White Township. If convicted of this fourth-degree crime, the couple each face up to 18 months in prison. In addition, it's possible that the charge could result in an investigation by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) that could lead to a loss of custody or other actions taken to protect the children from future harm.

If you've been accused of any type of crime relating to the care or welfare of a child, you need the help of a criminal defense attorney with experience defending against child abuse and neglect charges as well as representing clients being investigated by DCPP. Call the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.

Leaving a Child Alone for a Few Minutes Can Have Serious Consequences

It might seem like no big deal – you're just going to run into the convenience store to grab a coffee while driving your kids to preschool, or are at home and go to the basement to check on the laundry while your child is playing outside in the sandbox – but when minutes away from young children begin to add up, the chances of you being accused of neglecting them increase.

In the Warren County winery case, the 20-minute time estimate for how long the couple is accused of leaving the children unattended in the car appears to have been based on statements from “the conscientious staff” at the winery, who may or may not have been accurately timing the couple's visit. Prosecutors hedge their bets on this point by stating that “it is not acceptable to leave young children unattended in a vehicle” and “doing so for even a short period of time can result in tragic consequences.”

While the reality is that in the vast majority of cases, any “tragic consequences” are extremely unlikely to happen, the other reality is that in New Jersey, you can be charged with abuse or neglect if you're away from young children for even a short period of time. In cases where prosecutors accuse parents of abuse or neglect, DCPP is likely to open an investigation to determine if the child or children involved need to be removed from the home or if some other type of intervention needs to happen.

If Charged With Abuse or Neglect, Contact the Lento Law Firm

The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team has helped caring parents all across New Jersey who find themselves charged with abuse or neglect by prosecutors or who are being investigated by DCPP because someone has filed an abuse or neglect report against them. Whether you're facing criminal charges or a DCPP investigation (or both), the experienced attorneys from the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team are here to defend your rights. We understand New Jersey's criminal and child protection laws, know how the court and child protection systems work, and can protect your rights whether you're accused of criminal behavior or are being investigated for alleged child abuse.

Don't try to take on the State of New Jersey by yourself! Let the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team help you protect your rights and defend against allegations of abuse or neglect. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or use our online form to schedule a confidential consultation. You need an experienced advocate; we are here to listen and to help.