OUJI-CR 4-37

NEGLECT OF CHILD - ELEMENTS

No person may be convicted of neglect of a child unless the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt each element of the crime. These elements are:

First, a person responsible for the child's health, safety, or welfare;

Second, willfully/maliciously;

[Third, failed/omitted to provide;

Fourth, [adequate (nurturance and affection)/food/clothing/shelter/ sanitation/hygiene)/(appropriate education)]/(medical/dental/(behavioral health) care/ [supervision/(appropriate caretakers) to protect the child from harm/(threatened harm) of which any reasonable and prudent person responsible for the child's health, safety or welfare would be aware]/(special care made necessary for the child's health and safety by the physical/mental condition of the child);

Fifth, for a child under the age of eighteen.]

OR

[Third, failed/omitted to protect;

Fourth, a child under the age of eighteen from exposure to;

Fifth, (the use/possession/sale/manufacture of illegal drugs)/(illegal activities)/(sexual acts or materials that are not age-appropriate).]

OR

[Third, abandoned;

Fourth, a child under the age of eighteen.]

______________________________

Statutory Authority: 21 O.S. 2021, § 843.5(C), (O)(2), 10A O.S. 2021, § 1-1-105(49).

 

Notes on Use

Activities that might not constitute neglect are set out in OUJI-CR 4-35B, supra, and 4-37A, infra

Committee Comments

The crime of omission to provide for a child is governed by 21 O.S. 2011, § 852(A). See OUJI-CR 4-40A, infra. Its elements are similar to the elements for child neglect, but in contrast to child neglect, omission to provide for a child is a misdemeanor. Unlike child neglect, omission to provide for a child includes willful omission to furnish monetary child support or the payment of court-ordered day care or medical insurance costs.

In Fairchild v. State, 1999 OK CR 49, ¶ 51, 998 P.2d 611, 622-23, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decided that the mens rea for felony murder of a child under 21 O.S. Supp. 1999, § 701.7(C) was a general intent to commit the act which causes the injury, rather than a specific intent, and that the general intent was included within the terms "willfully" or "maliciously."

(2022 Supp.)