Iowa Code » Chapter 726 — PROTECTIONS FOR THE FAMILY, DEPENDENT PERSONS, RESIDENTS OF HEALTH
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 726.6 (2026)

Child endangerment

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. A person who is the parent, guardian, or person having custody or control over a child or a minor under the age of eighteen with a mental or physical disability, or a person who is a member of the household in which a child or such a minor resides, commits child endangerment when the person does any of the following: a. Knowingly acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk to a child or minor’s physical, mental or emotional health or safety. b. By an intentional act or series of intentional acts, uses unreasonable force, torture or cruelty that results in bodily injury, or that is intended to cause serious injury.\n\nTue Dec 09 21:55:40 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 726 (43, 1) 3 PROTECTIONS — FAMILY, DEPENDENTS, ELDERLY, OTHERS, §726.6\n\n c. By an intentional act or series of intentional acts, evidences unreasonable force, torture or cruelty which causes substantial mental or emotional harm to a child or minor. d. Willfully deprives a child or minor of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care or supervision appropriate to the child or minor’s age, when the person is reasonably able to make the necessary provisions and which deprivation substantially harms the child or minor’s physical, mental or emotional health. For purposes of this paragraph, the failure to provide specific medical treatment shall not for that reason alone be considered willful deprivation of health care if the person can show that such treatment would conflict with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the person is an adherent or member. This exception does not in any manner restrict the right of an interested party to petition the court on behalf of the best interest of the child or minor. e. Knowingly permits the continuing physical or sexual abuse of a child or minor. However, it is an affirmative defense to this subsection if the person had a reasonable apprehension that any action to stop the continuing abuse would result in substantial bodily harm to the person or the child or minor. f. Abandons the child or minor to fend for the child or minor’s self, knowing that the child or minor is unable to do so. g. Knowingly permits a child or minor to be present at a location where amphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, is manufactured in violation of section 124.401, subsection 1, or where a product is possessed in violation of section 124.401, subsection 4. h. Knowingly allows a person custody or control of, or unsupervised access to a child or a minor after knowing the person is required to register or is on the sex offender registry as a sex offender under chapter 692A. However, this paragraph does not apply to a person who is a parent or guardian of a child or a minor, who is required to register as a sex offender, or to a person who is married to and living with a person required to register as a sex offender. i. Knowingly provides direct supervision of a person under section 724.22, subsection 4, while intoxicated as provided under the conditions set out in section 321J.2, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, “b”, or “c”. 2. A person who is required to register as a sex offender under chapter 692A for a sex offense against a minor who knowingly has control of a minor, or who knowingly has unsupervised access to a minor, commits child endangerment. However, this subsection does not apply to any of the following: a. A person who is required to register as a sex offender under chapter 692A for a sex offense against a minor who knowingly has control of a minor, or who knowingly has unsupervised access to a minor, when the person is the legal parent or guardian of the minor and the control or unsupervised access is not otherwise illegal. b. A person who is required to register as a sex offender under chapter 692A for a sex offense against a minor who knowingly has control of a minor, or who knowingly has unsupervised access to a minor, when the person is married to and living with the legal parent or guardian of the minor and the control or unsupervised access is not otherwise illegal. 3. A parent or person authorized by the parent shall not be prosecuted for a violation of subsection 1, paragraph “f”, relating to abandonment, if the parent or person authorized by the parent has voluntarily released custody of a newborn infant in accordance with section 233.2. 4. For the purposes of subsection 1, “person having control over a child or a minor” means any of the following: a. A person who has accepted, undertaken, or assumed supervision of a child or such a minor from the parent or guardian of the child or minor. b. A person who has undertaken or assumed temporary supervision of a child or such a minor without explicit consent from the parent or guardian of the child or minor. c. A person who operates a motor vehicle with a child or such a minor present in the vehicle. 5. A person who commits child endangerment resulting in the death of a child or minor is guilty of a class “B” felony. Notwithstanding section 902.9, subsection 1, paragraph “b”,\n\nTue Dec 09 21:55:40 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 726 (43, 1) §726.6, PROTECTIONS — FAMILY, DEPENDENTS, ELDERLY, OTHERS 4\n\na person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be confined for no more than fifty years. 6. A person who commits child endangerment resulting in serious injury to a child or minor is guilty of a class “C” felony. 7. A person who commits child endangerment resulting in bodily injury to a child or minor or child endangerment in violation of subsection 1, paragraph “g”, that does not result in a serious injury, or a person who commits child endangerment in violation of subsection 2, is guilty of a class “D” felony. 8. A person who commits child endangerment that is not subject to penalty under subsection 5, 6, or 7 is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. [C50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §731A.1 – 731A.3; C79, 81, §726.6] 85 Acts, ch 180, §3; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §109; 2001 Acts, ch 3, §2 – 5; 2001 Acts, ch 67, §12, 13; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §104; 2004 Acts, ch 1004, §1; 2004 Acts, ch 1151, §3, 4; 2005 Acts, ch 158, §31; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §109; 2009 Acts, ch 119, §65; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §252; 2017 Acts, ch 69, §30; 2017 Acts, ch 170, §50, 51, 53, 54; 2021 Acts, ch 78, §1, 2 Referred to in §124.401C, 229A.2, 233.3, 252B.7, 702.11, 707.2, 724.22, 726.4, 726.6A, 802.2B, 902.12, 915.37 Definition of forcible felony; §702.11 Section not amended; internal reference change applied

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 231 cases (56 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2008).
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State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2008). · cites it 62× “Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( h ). A. Due Process.”
State of Iowa v. Christopher Craig Thompson, 837 N.W.2d 180 (Iowa 2013). · cites it 30× “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State v. Millsap, 704 N.W.2d 426 (Iowa 2005). · cites it 28× “Iowa Code § 726.6 (l)(a). The parties’ dispute centers on the knowledge element of the statute, specifically, whether “knowingly” modifies “acts” or modifies “acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk.”
State of Iowa v. Jonas Dorian Neiderbach, 836 N.W.2d 470 (Iowa 2013). · cites it 20× “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State v. Anspach, 627 N.W.2d 227 (Iowa 2001). · cites it 26× “See Iowa Code § 726.6 (l)(a) (1999). Because we agree with the district court that the defendant’s actions constitute the crime of child endangerment, we affirm the district court’s decision.”
In the Interest of M.W. & Z.W., Minor Child., R.W., Mother, 876 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 6× “3, one count of child endangerment resulting in the death of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.6(4), and one count of child endangerment resulting in the bodily injury of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.”
State v. Leckington, 713 N.W.2d 208 (Iowa 2006). · cites it 12× “See Iowa Code § 726.6 . a. Control Jury instruction no.”
State v. Webb, 648 N.W.2d 72 (Iowa 2002). · cites it 12× “See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1). Webb contends the State failed to prove element one.”
State v. Watkins, 659 N.W.2d 526 (Iowa 2003). · cites it 23× “The defendant committed three or more acts of child endangerment as defined in section 726.6. 2. The three or more acts occurred within a period of 12 months.”
State of Iowa v. Owen F. Benson, 919 N.W.2d 237 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 6× “See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( a ). In contrast, assault "includes a specific intent component.”
State v. Rhode, 503 N.W.2d 27 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 20× “" Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)(b) (1989). When the act results in serious injury to the child, the person is guilty of a class "C" felony.”
State Ex Rel. Turner v. Drake, 242 N.W.2d 707 (Iowa 1976). · cites it 28× “The action is based upon a violation of § 726.6, The Code, 1973, which the petition alleges is a nuisance as defined in § 657.”
Show all 231 citing cases →
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1) — 24 cases
State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2008). “Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( h ). A. Due Process.”
State of Iowa v. Christopher Craig Thompson, 837 N.W.2d 180 (Iowa 2013). “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State v. Millsap, 704 N.W.2d 426 (Iowa 2005). “Iowa Code § 726.6 (l)(a). The parties’ dispute centers on the knowledge element of the statute, specifically, whether “knowingly” modifies “acts” or modifies “acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk.”
State of Iowa v. Owen F. Benson, 919 N.W.2d 237 (Iowa 2018). “See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( a ). In contrast, assault "includes a specific intent component.”
State v. Webb, 648 N.W.2d 72 (Iowa 2002). “See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1). Webb contends the State failed to prove element one.”
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(6) — 1 case
State v. Paredes, 775 N.W.2d 554 (Iowa 2009).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(A) — 1 case
State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2008). “Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( h ). A. Due Process.”
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(a) — 67 cases
State of Iowa v. Donald Benjamin Earl Reed, 875 N.W.2d 693 (Iowa 2016).
State of Iowa v. Timothy Alvin Newton, 929 N.W.2d 250 (Iowa 2019).
State of Iowa v. Maurice D. Angel & Kemia B. McDowell, 893 N.W.2d 904 (Iowa 2017).
State of Iowa v. Paula Lynn Cole (Iowa 2024).
State of Iowa v. Victoria Linda Nichole Gibbs (Iowa 2026).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(b) — 12 cases
State v. Rhode, 503 N.W.2d 27 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). “" Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)(b) (1989). When the act results in serious injury to the child, the person is guilty of a class "C" felony.”
State of Iowa v. Matthew Gene Spaans (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
State of Iowa v. Alicia Marie Rios (Iowa Ct. App. 2020).
State of Iowa v. Javon Joshua Jennings (Iowa Ct. App. 2020).
Joseph Boose Jr., Applicant-Appellant v. State of Iowa (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(d) — 3 cases
State of Iowa v. Holly Ann Johnson (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
State of Iowa v. Ambrashia Marie Chrzan (Iowa Ct. App. 2019).
State of Iowa v. Danielle Bunce (Iowa Ct. App. 2015).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(e) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Gabrieona L. Ford (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(h) — 2 cases
State Of Iowa Vs. Holly Marie Mitchell (Iowa 2008).
Nathan Daniel Olsen v. State of Iowa (Iowa 2024).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(⅛) — 1 case
State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2008). “Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( h ). A. Due Process.”
— Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(⅞) — 1 case
State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2008). “Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)( h ). A. Due Process.”
— Iowa Code § 726.6(2) — 4 cases
State v. Wilson, 287 N.W.2d 587 (Iowa 1980).
State v. Ceaser, 585 N.W.2d 192 (Iowa 1998).
State v. Ramirez, 597 N.W.2d 795 (Iowa 1999).
State v. Taggart, 525 N.W.2d 877 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(3) — 6 cases
State v. Leckington, 713 N.W.2d 208 (Iowa 2006). “See Iowa Code § 726.6 . a. Control Jury instruction no.”
State v. Leckington, 713 N.W.2d 218 (Iowa 2006).
D.M.H. v. Thompson, 577 N.W.2d 643 (Iowa 1998).
State Of Iowa Vs. Mark Steven Leckington (Iowa 2006).
Petition of Meyers-Thompson, 577 N.W.2d 643 (Iowa 1998).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(4) — 15 cases
In the Interest of M.W. & Z.W., Minor Child., R.W., Mother, 876 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa 2016). “3, one count of child endangerment resulting in the death of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.6(4), and one count of child endangerment resulting in the bodily injury of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.”
State v. Leckington, 713 N.W.2d 208 (Iowa 2006). “See Iowa Code § 726.6 . a. Control Jury instruction no.”
State v. Fix, 830 N.W.2d 744 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013).
State of Iowa v. Nathaniel Quentin Knight (Iowa Ct. App. 2016).
Amended May 17, 2016 in the Interest of M.W. & Z.W., Minor Child., R.W., Mother (Iowa 2016).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(5) — 8 cases
State of Iowa v. Christopher Craig Thompson, 837 N.W.2d 180 (Iowa 2013). “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State of Iowa v. Jonas Dorian Neiderbach, 836 N.W.2d 470 (Iowa 2013). “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State of Iowa v. Stephanie Marie Fatland, 882 N.W.2d 123 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016).
Tammy Smith v. State of Iowa, 845 N.W.2d 51 (Iowa 2014).
State of Iowa v. Travis Raymond Wayne West (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(6) — 21 cases
In the Interest of M.W. & Z.W., Minor Child., R.W., Mother, 876 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa 2016). “3, one count of child endangerment resulting in the death of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.6(4), and one count of child endangerment resulting in the bodily injury of a child in violation of Iowa Code section 726.”
State of Iowa v. Christopher Craig Thompson, 837 N.W.2d 180 (Iowa 2013). “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State of Iowa v. Andrew James Lopez, 872 N.W.2d 159 (Iowa 2015).
State of Iowa v. Stephanie Marie Fatland, 882 N.W.2d 123 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016).
State of Iowa v. Jerry Leon Thompson (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(7) — 17 cases
State of Iowa v. Christopher Craig Thompson, 837 N.W.2d 180 (Iowa 2013). “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State of Iowa v. Timothy Alvin Newton, 929 N.W.2d 250 (Iowa 2019).
State of Iowa v. Jonas Dorian Neiderbach, 836 N.W.2d 470 (Iowa 2013). “” See Iowa Code § 726.6 (1), (5) (2009). Iowa Code section 702.”
State of Iowa v. Jessica Epping, 878 N.W.2d 277 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016).
State of Iowa v. Brian Eugene Ingram, Jr., 918 N.W.2d 503 (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(8) — 6 cases
State of Iowa v. Armstrong Kyne (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
In the Interest of Z.W. & D.W., Minor Child. (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
In the Interest of L.F., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
In the Interest of K.J., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
State of Iowa v. Sammi Jo Thurman (Iowa Ct. App. 2025).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(a) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Matthew Gene Spaans (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(d) — 1 case
State of Iowa v. Amy Jo Parmer (Iowa Ct. App. 2015).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(l)(a) — 17 cases
State v. Millsap, 704 N.W.2d 426 (Iowa 2005). “Iowa Code § 726.6 (l)(a). The parties’ dispute centers on the knowledge element of the statute, specifically, whether “knowingly” modifies “acts” or modifies “acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk.”
State v. Anspach, 627 N.W.2d 227 (Iowa 2001). “See Iowa Code § 726.6 (l)(a) (1999). Because we agree with the district court that the defendant’s actions constitute the crime of child endangerment, we affirm the district court’s decision.”
State v. Watkins, 659 N.W.2d 526 (Iowa 2003). “The defendant committed three or more acts of child endangerment as defined in section 726.6. 2. The three or more acts occurred within a period of 12 months.”
State of Iowa v. Donald Benjamin Earl Reed, 875 N.W.2d 693 (Iowa 2016).
State v. Horness, 600 N.W.2d 294 (Iowa 1999).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(l)(b) — 5 cases
State v. Watkins, 659 N.W.2d 526 (Iowa 2003). “The defendant committed three or more acts of child endangerment as defined in section 726.6. 2. The three or more acts occurred within a period of 12 months.”
State v. Rhode, 503 N.W.2d 27 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). “" Iowa Code § 726.6 (1)(b) (1989). When the act results in serious injury to the child, the person is guilty of a class "C" felony.”
State v. Weaver, 554 N.W.2d 240 (Iowa 1996).
State v. Schwartz, 467 N.W.2d 240 (Iowa 1991).
In Interest of GY, 486 N.W.2d 288 (Iowa 1992).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(l)(d) — 3 cases
State v. Akright, 506 N.W.2d 465 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993).
State v. King, 434 N.W.2d 627 (Iowa 1989).
State v. Taggart, 525 N.W.2d 877 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994).
— Iowa Code § 726.6(l)(e) — 3 cases
State v. Watkins, 659 N.W.2d 526 (Iowa 2003). “The defendant committed three or more acts of child endangerment as defined in section 726.6. 2. The three or more acts occurred within a period of 12 months.”
State v. Yeo, 659 N.W.2d 544 (Iowa 2003).
State v. Taggart, 525 N.W.2d 877 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.