1175

Any father, mother, or person responsible for the well-being of a minor who, through the commission or omission of an act, causes harm to a minor or endangers his/her health or physical, mental, or emotional integrity shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of two (2) years, or by a fine of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) but not more than eight thousand dollars ($8,000), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court.\nShould there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty herein established may be increased to a maximum of three (3) years; should there be mitigating circumstances, the fixed penalty may be reduced to a minimum of one (1) year. The neglect referred to in this section may take the form of repetitive conduct, an isolated incident, or an imprudent omission caused by the lack of appropriate care that results in physical, mental, or emotional injury, or puts the minor at a substantial risk of death.\nWhen the conduct classified in the preceding paragraph is the result of a pattern of negligent behavior that causes harm or endangers the minor’s health and physical, mental, or emotional integrity, it shall be punished by imprisonment for a

ng paragraph is the result of a pattern of negligent behavior that causes harm or endangers the minor’s health and physical, mental, or emotional integrity, it shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of four (4) years, or by a fine of at least eight thousand dollars ($8,000), but not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty may be increased to a maximum of six (6) years; should there be mitigating circumstances, the fixed penalty may be reduced to a minimum of two (2) years.\nHistory —Dec. 16, 2011, No. 246, § 59, eff. 90 days after Dec. 16, 2011.