Disciplining A Child
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.061 — force to promote a minor's welfare, short of extreme pain
In Missouri, physical force by a parent, guardian or other person entrusted with a minor's care and supervision is justifiable when the actor reasonably believes it is necessary to promote the welfare of the minor.
The outer limit. The force used may not be designed to cause, or believed to create a substantial risk of causing, death, serious physical injury, disfigurement, extreme pain or extreme emotional distress.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny force a parent chooses is justified | What the law actually doesOnly force reasonably believed necessary to promote the minor's welfare |
| The assumptionOnly an injury takes discipline outside the law | What the law actually doesSo does force designed to cause extreme pain or extreme emotional distress |
Whether particular discipline crossed the line is decided on the facts of the case, and what happens when child protective services opens an investigation is a separate question. A licensed Missouri attorney reads a specific situation.
Sources for this section (1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.061 — Use of force by persons with responsibility for care, discipline or safety of others
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.