Most often, yes. States are generally more likely to charge child abuse as a felony when the abuse results in physical injury to the child. California law states that you would face misdemeanor child abuse charges if you abuse a child and the abuse results in physical pain or mental suffering to the child. By contrast, California law says that a person would face felony child abuse charges if the person inflicts upon a child any cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or an injury resulting in a traumatic condition.