Penalty For Contributing To Dependency Of Children - Suspension Of Sentence

Any parent or parents, or legal guard-dian or person having the custody of any dependent, neglected or delinquent child, as defined by the statutes of this state, or any other person who shall knowingly or willfully encourage, aid, cause, abet or connive at such state of dependency, neglect or delinquency, or shall knowingly or willfully do any act or acts that directly produce, promote, or contribute to the conditions which render such child a dependent, neglected or delinquent child as so defined, or who, having the custody of such child, shall, when able to do so, willfully neglect to do that which will directly tend to prevent such state of dependency, neglect or delinquency, or to remove the conditions which render such child either a neglected, dependent or delinquent child, as aforesaid, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200, or by imprisonment in the county jail, house of correction, or work house, for not more than 12 months, or both by such fine and imprisonment; provided, that instead of imposing the punishment hereinbefore provided, the court shall have the power to enter an order suspending sentence and releasing the defendant, on probation, for the space of one year, upon his or her entering into a recognizance, with or without sureties, in such sums as the court may direct. The condition of the recognizance shall be such that if the defendant shall make his or her personal appearance in court whenever ordered to do so within a year, and shall provide and care for such dependent, neglected or delinquent child in such manner as to prevent a continuance or repetition of such state of dependency, neglect or delinquency, or as otherwise may be directed by the court, and shall further comply with the terms of such order, then the recognizance shall be void, otherwise of full force and effect. If the court be satisfied, by information and due proof under oath, that at any time during the year the defendant has violated the terms of such order, it may forthwith revoke such order and sentence him or her under the original conviction. Unless so sentenced, the defendant shall, at the end of such year, be discharged, and such conviction shall be void.

R S., ch. 38, sec. 42hb.