A Tempe couple pleaded guilty to felony child abuse last week for allowing their infant son to almost drown in a motel bathtub, reports the Associated Press.
Twenty-six-year-old Jasen Anchondo and 23-year-old Summer Dawn Angelly were indicted in August on felony child abuse charges based on allegations that they left their 11-month-son unsupervised in a bathtub.
The couple reportedly told police that they left him in the tub because he had soiled his diapers and there weren't any clean ones left. The boy nearly drowned, but his four-year-old sister was smart enough to alert her parents who called emergency services. The boy was revived by CPR and was expected to make a full recovery.
Under Arizona state law, an adult who is convicted of a "dangerous crime against children," including child abuse, could be sentenced to a maximum of 24 years in prison. Physical abuse, abandonment and neglect are all considered forms of child abuse.
Both the boy and the couple's three other children - ages 4, 2 and 11-months - are currently under the care of state Child Protective Services, according to the Associated Press.
Due to their guilty plea to felony child abuse charges, it is very likely that the couple could lose custody of their children, at least temporarily. Most states consider the child's best interest during custody termination proceedings.
A Phoenix family law attorney can provide more information about the legal proceedings concerning child custody if you, too, are at risk of losing your parental rights over your children.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
- Parents Arrested for Child Abuse Near Drowning at Tempe Motel (ABC15 News)
- Child Abuse Laws State-by-State (FindLaw)
- Phoenix Boy Critically Injured; Parents Face Child Abuse Charges (The Phoenix Family Law News Blog)
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