You Need a Legal Team That Understands What You’re Up Against. Our attorneys at Harvey Criminal Defense Lawyers know how high the stakes are when you’ve been accused of harming a child. We don’t shy away from serious allegations—we step in to protect your future, your freedom, and your rights.
Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 39-15-402, also known as Haley’s Law, addresses aggravated child abuse, neglect, or endangerment. This law enhances penalties for certain forms of child abuse and is designed to deliver severe consequences for conduct that causes or risks significant harm to minors.
Under this statute, a person commits aggravated child abuse if they:
Tennessee law provides a broad definition of serious bodily injury. It includes, but is not limited to:
These injuries may be the result of direct physical harm or indirect actions, such as exposure to dangerous environments.
Aggravated child abuse is typically a Class B felony. However, it becomes a Class A felony when:
Potential consequences include:
Tennessee does not take these charges lightly, and prosecutors often seek the harshest penalties available.
Conviction for aggravated child abuse may also result in:
Beyond incarceration, the fallout from these charges can follow you for life:
Every case is different. At Harvey Criminal Defense Lawyers, we build a defense strategy tailored to your facts and your future. Potential defenses may include:
Our firm collaborates with experts in pediatrics, psychology, and forensic science to challenge the state’s narrative.
If you suspect you are being investigated for child abuse:
The earlier we get involved, the better your chances of avoiding a formal charge or securing a dismissal.
We’re not a volume firm. We take on serious cases because we know how to deliver serious results.
This is not the time to gamble on your future. We are committed to protecting the accused, ensuring due process, and fighting for outcomes that give you a second chance.
Allegations of aggravated child abuse under Haley’s Law can change your life in an instant. But you don’t have to face them alone. Contact Harvey Criminal Defense Lawyers today for a confidential consultation. We’re ready to stand by your side, protect your rights, and give your case the attention it demands.
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Aggravated child abuse occurs when someone intentionally harms a child and that harm involves serious bodily injury, use of a dangerous weapon or controlled substance, or conduct that is especially cruel or torturous. Tennessee Code § 39-15-402 also classifies aggravated child neglect and endangerment under the same statute when a child suffers serious harm from neglect or exposure to methamphetamine production.
Aggravated child abuse is classified as a Class B felony, punishable by 8 to 30 years in prison. If the child is eight years old or younger, or has a mental or physical disability that makes them especially vulnerable, the charge escalates to a Class A felony, carrying 15 to 60 years in prison and no eligibility for parole until a large portion of the sentence is served.
Yes. Tennessee law allows for aggravated child abuse or neglect charges even if a person fails to act to protect the child from known abuse, or places the child in harm’s way through reckless or negligent behavior. This includes allowing drug exposure, failure to seek medical care, or leaving a child in an unsafe environment.
A skilled criminal defense lawyer may use several strategies, including showing that the injuries were accidental, challenging the credibility or accuracy of medical evidence, or demonstrating that you were not the person responsible for the child’s injuries. In some cases, false allegations made during custody battles or family disputes may be exposed through thorough investigation.
Aggravated child abuse charges carry extremely serious penalties and lifelong consequences, including possible sex offender registration, termination of parental rights, and a felony criminal record. Early intervention by an experienced criminal defense lawyer ensures your rights are protected from the outset—especially if investigators, DCS, or law enforcement are building a case against you before arrest. At Harvey Criminal Defense Lawyers, we know how to step in early and push back hard.
The prosecutors are already building their case against you. Every day you wait is another day they get stronger.
But you don’t have to face this alone.
