1999 Minnesota Statutes

     609.377 Malicious punishment of a child. 

    A parent, legal guardian, or caretaker who, by an 
 intentional act or a series of intentional acts with respect to 
 a child, evidences unreasonable force or cruel discipline that 
 is excessive under the circumstances is guilty of malicious 
 punishment of a child and may be sentenced to imprisonment for 
 not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than 
 $3,000, or both.  If the punishment results in substantial 
 bodily harm, that person may be sentenced to imprisonment for 
 not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more 
 than $10,000, or both.  If the punishment results in great 
 bodily harm, that person may be sentenced to imprisonment for 
 not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than 
 $20,000, or both.  If the punishment is to a child under the age 
 of four and causes bodily harm to the head, eyes, neck, or 
 otherwise causes multiple bruises to the body, the person may be 
 sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine 
 of $10,000, or both. 

    HIST: 1983 c 217 s 4; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11; 1988 c 655 s 2; 
 1989 c 290 art 6 s 16; 1990 c 542 s 18; 1994 c 636 art 2 s 37