RCW 9A.42.080Abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree—Exception.(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person is guilty of the crime of abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree if:(a) The person is the parent of a child, a person entrusted with the physical custody of a child or other dependent person, a person who has assumed the responsibility to provide to a dependent person the basic necessities of life, or a person employed to provide to the child or dependent person any of the basic necessities of life; and(b) The person recklessly abandons the child or other dependent person; and:(i) As a result of being abandoned, the child or other dependent person suffers bodily harm; or(ii) Abandoning the child or other dependent person creates an imminent and substantial risk that the child or other person will suffer substantial bodily harm.(2) A parent of a newborn who transfers the newborn to a qualified person at an appropriate location pursuant to RCW 13.34.360 is not subject to criminal liability under this section.(3) Abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.[ 2006 c 228 s 8; 2002 c 331 s 5; 1996 rsuant to RCW 13.34.360 is not subject to criminal liability under this section.(3) Abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.[ 2006 c 228 s 8; 2002 c 331 s 5; 1996 c 302 s 4.]NOTES:Intent—Effective date—2002 c 331: See notes following RCW 13.34.360.Severability—1996 c 302: See note following RCW 9A.42.010.
Washington Legal Code