Does the crime of child endangerment under Penal Code Section 273a (a) require a willful intent to cause the injury or endangerment?

Does the crime of child endangerment under Penal Code Section 273a (a) require a willful intent to cause the injury or endangerment?

• November 7, 2012
• Paul Wallin

Yes. An element of child endangerment is that the defendant willfully inflicted or permitted unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering or endangerment on a child. This crime does require a willful intent to cause the injury or endangerment. It is unlikely a reasonable mistake would satisfy the elements of the crime child endangerment under Penal Code Section 273a (a).

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