(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person is guilty of the crime of abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree if:

     (a) The person is the parent of a child, a person entrusted with the physical custody of a child or other dependent person, a person who has assumed the responsibility to provide to a dependent person the basic necessities of life, or a person employed to provide to the child or dependent person any of the basic necessities of life; and

     (b) The person recklessly abandons the child or other dependent person; and:

     (i) As a result of being abandoned, the child or other dependent person suffers bodily harm; or

     (ii) Abandoning the child or other dependent person creates an imminent and substantial risk that the child or other person will suffer substantial bodily harm.

     (2) A parent of a newborn who transfers the newborn to a qualified person at an appropriate location pursuant to RCW 13.34.360 is not subject to criminal liability under this section.

     (3) Abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.

[2006 c 228 § 8; 2002 c 331 § 5; 1996 c 302 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Intent -- Effective date -- 2002 c 331: See notes following RCW 13.34.360.

     Severability -- 1996 c 302: See note following RCW 9A.42.010.