Castigo malicioso a un menor en Minnesota

Explicación Simple

Si un padre o cuidador lastima a un niño de manera intencional y excesiva, puede ser castigado por la ley. Esto incluye castigos que causan dolor o heridas al niño.

Es como cuando un entrenador grita tanto a un jugador que lo desanima y le causa dolor emocional. La disciplina debe ser justa, no cruel.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Ana, una madre de Minnesota, le da un golpe a su hijo de 5 años por no hacer su tarea. Aunque piensa que está enseñándole una lección, si el golpe causa moretones, Ana podría enfrentar serias consecuencias legales por su acción.

Penalidades

Hasta 5 años de prisión o multas de hasta $10,000, dependiendo del daño causado.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

A parent, legal guardian, or caretaker who, by an intentional act or a series of intentional acts with respect to a child, evidences unreasonable force or cruel discipline that is excessive under the circumstances is guilty of malicious punishment of a child and may be sentenced as provided in subdivisions 2 to 6. If the punishment results in less than substantial bodily harm, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both. Whoever violates the provisions of subdivision 2 during the time period between a previous conviction or adjudication for delinquency under this section or sections609.221to609.2231,609.224,609.2242,609.342to609.345, or609.713, and the end of five years following discharge from sentence or disposition for that conviction or adjudication may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of $10,000, or both. If the punishment is to a child under the age of four and causes bodily harm to the head, eyes, neck, or otherwise causes multiple bruises to the body, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of $10,000, or both. If the punishment results in substantial bodily harm, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.