Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What can result in a charge of 'Endangering the Life or Health of a Child'?

1. Leaving a child in a car for 5 minutes

2. Leaving a child under the age of 6 in a vehicle for more than 10 minutes

3. Keeping a child awake past bedtime

4. Failing to feed a child for 24 hours

The correct answer is: Leaving a child under the age of 6 in a vehicle for more than 10 minutes

The charge of 'Endangering the Life or Health of a Child' is typically tied to actions or omissions that significantly increase the risk of harm to a child. Leaving a child under the age of 6 in a vehicle for more than 10 minutes is a recognized situation that can lead to this charge due to the inherent dangers associated with leaving young children unattended in a car. Young children are especially vulnerable to heat exhaustion, hypothermia, and other health risks. The law often takes a strict approach in these situations, reflecting society's expectation of ensuring children's safety and well-being. When a child is left unattended in a vehicle for an extended period, particularly when the outside temperatures are extreme, it is considered an act that could result in serious harm. In contrast, leaving a child in a car for merely 5 minutes, keeping a child awake past their bedtime, or failing to feed a child for 24 hours may not present the same immediate or severe risk of harm that would warrant such a charge. Each of these scenarios lacks the urgency and danger present when a very young child is left alone in potentially life-threatening conditions in a vehicle.