Q: What do you do when you are being falsely accused of child abuse for the third time? always dismissed before.

A: This is a very delicate topic and it is unclear in what context this is arising in. A.R.S. Sec. 13-403 provides in part: "Justification; use of physical force.

The use of physical force upon another person which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal under any of the following circumstances:

1. A parent or guardian and a teacher or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor or incompetent person may use reasonable and appropriate physical force upon the minor or incompetent person when and to the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate to maintain discipline."

If the Son stands in loco parentis to the Grandchild, then he may have justification under the statute if he is being charged criminally. The issue could also come up in a Dependency or Family Law context. In a Dependency context you will need to consult with an attorney to find out the best course of action. If it arises in a child custody dispute, then having the ex-daughter-in-law living in the same house might not be working out and another arrangement might prevent more serious charges from coming up in the future. To preserve the domestic situation you might also encourage the ex-daughter-in-law to seek professional help for her mental illness from a health care provider. It is not unusual for individuals to attempt to use false or weak child abuse charges to gain leverage in a custody dispute, especially when their mental condition may make them reckless towards the consequences of such allegations. Child abuse is serious in Arizona and is often governed under A.R.S. Sec. 13-3623 which provides for a variety of circumstances where a felony is alleged. You may wish to have a more thorough discussion of this issue with an attorney.