Physical abuse of a child
Wis. Stat. § 948.03
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section, “recklessly” means conduct which creates a situation of unreasonable risk of harm to and demonstrates a conscious disregard for the safety of the child.
(2) Intentional causation of bodily harm.
(a) Whoever intentionally causes great bodily harm to a child is guilty of a Class C felony.
(b) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to a child is guilty of a Class H felony.
(c) Whoever intentionally causes bodily harm to a child by conduct which creates a high probability of great bodily harm is guilty of a Class F felony.
(3) Reckless causation of bodily harm.
(a) Whoever recklessly causes great bodily harm to a child is guilty of a Class E felony.
(b) Whoever recklessly causes bodily harm to a child is guilty of a Class I felony.
(c) Whoever recklessly causes bodily harm to a child by conduct which creates a high probability of great bodily harm is guilty of a Class H felony.
(4) Failing to act to prevent bodily harm.
(a) A person responsible for the child’s welfare is guilty of a Class F felony if that person has knowledge that another person intends to cause, is causing or has intentionally or recklessly caused great bodily harm to the child and is physically and emotionally capable of taking action which will prevent the bodily harm from occurring or being repeated, fails to take that action and the failure to act exposes the child to an unreasonable risk of great bodily harm by the other person or facilitates the great bodily harm to the child that is caused by the other person.
(b) A person responsible for the child’s welfare is guilty of a Class H felony if that person has knowledge that another person intends to cause, is causing or has intentionally or recklessly caused bodily harm to the child and is physically and emotionally capable of taking action which will prevent the bodily harm from occurring or being repeated, fails to take that action and the failure to act exposes the child to an unreasonable risk of bodily harm by the other person or facilitates the bodily harm to the child that is caused by the other person.
(5) Engaging in repeated acts of physical abuse of the same child.
(a) Whoever commits 3 or more violations under sub. (2), (3), or (4) within a specified period involving the same child is guilty of the following:
1. A Class A felony if at least one violation caused the death of the child.
2. A Class B felony if at least 2 violations were violations of sub. (2) (a).
3. A Class C felony if at least one violation resulted in great bodily harm to the child.
4. A Class D felony if at least one violation created a high probability of great bodily harm to the child.
5. A Class E felony.
(b) If an action under par. (a) is tried to a jury, in order to find the defendant guilty the members of the jury must unanimously agree that at least 3 violations of sub. (2), (3), or (4) occurred within the specified period but need not agree on which acts constitute the requisite number.
(c) The state may not charge in the same action a defendant with a violation of this subsection and with a violation involving the same child under sub. (2), (3), or (4), unless the other violation occurred outside of the period applicable under par. (a). This paragraph does not prohibit a conviction for an included crime under s. 939.66 when the defendant is charged with a violation of this subsection.
(6) Treatment through prayer. A person is not guilty of an offense under this section solely because he or she provides a child with treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone for healing in accordance with the religious method of healing permitted under s. 48.981 (3) (c) 4. or 448.03 (6) in lieu of medical or surgical treatment.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/948.03Fetched: 10/7/2026