Causing serious bodily injury to a child under 15, an elderly person over 64, or a disabled person with mental illness constitutes which felony level?

• A. Felony 2
• B. State Jail Felony
• C. Class A Misdemeanor
• D. Felony 1

Answer: (D)

When a child under 15, an elderly person over 64, or a disabled person with mental illness is seriously harmed, Texas law elevates the offense to a first‑degree felony. This reflects the particularly severe harm to vulnerable individuals and is defined in Penal Code 22.04 (Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Person). The serious bodily injury element combined with the vulnerable victim triggers the highest felony level, with penalties typically in the range of 5 to 99 years or life in prison, plus possible fines. Other levels like state jail or a Class A misdemeanor cover different circumstances or lesser injuries, so they don’t apply here.