Physical Abuse

According to Arkansas state law physical abuse is the non-accidental physical injury or an injury at variance with the history given. This includes throwing, kicking, burning, biting, shooting or cutting a child, striking a child with a closed fist, shaking a child, or striking a child in the face. Even if there is no injury, physical abuse includes:

• Striking a child age six or younger in the face
• Shaking a child age 3 or younger
• Interfering with a child's breathing. Other indicators are patterned injuries, welts or bruises from instruments used to hit a child (like belts, cords, hangers, etc.).