Physical Abuse

The Following actions are considered unreasonable, as written in the state law: (this list does not include all punishable actions)

• Strike a child on the face or head
• Shake a child under age three (3)
• Shake any child thereby causing physical injury
• Strike a child with a closed fist
• Throw, kick, burn, bite, or cut a child
• Interfere with a child’s breathing
• Threaten a child with a deadly weapon
• Pinch, strike, or bite a child’s genitals
• Cause greater than passing pain or leave more than minor temporary marks
• Tying a child to a fixed or heavy object or binding or tying a child’s limbs together
• Giving a child or permitting a child to consume or inhale a poisonous or noxious substance not prescribed by a physician that can interfere with normal physiological functions
• Giving a child or permitting a child to consume or inhale a substance not prescribed by a physician that can alter the mood of the child, including, but not limited to:
   
  • Marijuana
  • Alcohol except alcohol used in a recognized and established religious ceremony
  • Narcotics
  • Over-the-counter drugs if a person purposely administers an overdose or an inappropriate over-the-counter drug to a child and the child is detrimentally impacted by the overdose or over-the-counter drug
     
• Exposing a child to chemicals that have the capacity to interfere with normal physiological functions, including, but not limited to, chemicals used or generated during the manufacture of methamphetamine
• Subjecting a child to Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy or a Factitious Illness by Proxy if the incident is reported and confirmed by medical staff or medical facility
  
  
  Arkansas laws are subject to revision. While this information may be accurate at the time of posting, the CAC of Benton County is not responsible for inaccuracies due to changes in state law.
   

Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse