Knowingly harboring a child and being criminally negligent about whether the child is younger than 18 is punishable as what?

• A. Class A Misdemeanor
• B. State Jail Felony
• C. Class B Misdemeanor
• D. 3rd Degree Felony

Answer: (A)

Knowingly harboring a child under 18 is a crime, and the severity of the offense depends on the actor’s mental state about the child’s age. When someone knowingly shelters a child and is criminally negligent about whether the child is younger than 18, the statute sets that conduct as a Class A Misdemeanor. That level is the most serious misdemeanor, with penalties up to one year in jail and possible fines. It doesn’t escalate to a felony under these facts, which is why options like a state jail felony or higher-degree felonies aren’t appropriate. A Class B Misdemeanor would reflect a lesser level of culpability, and a 3rd Degree Felony would require a more serious or different offense.