When a parent, guardian, or other person monitoring the welfare of a child under the age of 18 wilfully deprives the kid of required nourishment to the extent that the child's health or well-being is compromised, such person commits the offense of cruelty to children in the first degree. In addition to being unable to provide the child with necessary food, water, or medical care, the parent, guardian, or person responsible for the child's welfare may also intentionally: injure or physically abuse the child either by hitting him/her with an object or by inflicting physical pain; expose the child to violence or threatening behavior; engage in sexual activity against the child's will; or use drugs or alcohol in a manner likely to impair mental or physical capacity. The only thing that matters is whether or not the child was deprived of necessary food, water, or medical care. If so, then the parent has committed cruelty to children in the first degree. There are two forms of this crime: intentional and reckless. To prove intentional cruelty to children, the state must show that you knew what you were doing was wrong and still did it anyway. To prove reckless cruelty to children, the state needs to show only that you acted recklessly - that you didn't care what happened to the child as long as she wasn't hurt too badly.