Gov. Dave Heineman has signed into law a measure that will increase penalties for negligent child abuse in Nebraska.
The measure by Bellevue Sen. Abbie Cornett will make negligent
child abuse a felony if it results in serious bodily injury or
death. Current law classifies negligent child abuse as a
misdemeanor.
The bill will apply to anyone who acts recklessly with respect
to the safety or health of a child, when they should have known
about the danger.
The Attorney General's office says Nebraska will become the 14th
state to treat negligent child abuse as a felony when it involves
serious bodily injury or death.