An Ohio mother could soon face child endangerment charges after her toddler was found wandering around outside alone. This type of charge is nothing to take lightly. If this mother is charged and ultimately convicted, she could lose her parental rights and face a number of other consequences. With so much on the line, this individual may find a criminal law attorney a valuable asset to have on her side.

According to a recent news report, a 3-year-old girl was found walking around the Warren Heights apartment complex unaccompanied on Jan. 11. She was wearing a jacket and shoes, but she did not have pants on. No one knows how long she had been outside. The police were called and it was not until a neighbor recognized the child that her mother was located.

When police in Ohio suspect someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will likely initiate a traffic stop and test that person for impairment. There are several tests that they use to do this, which are called field sobriety tests. Those who fail these tests or refuse to take them may need assistance from a criminal law attorney to defend their position in court.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there are three standard field sobriety tests that are recognized. These are the walk and turn, one-leg stand and the horizontal gaze nystagmus. All of these are looking for a person's ability to follow directions and perform certain physical tasks that are generally difficult for an impaired person to do.

Sometimes after divorce -- whether for work, new relationships, the need for support or the need to start over -- some people relocate out of state. If these individuals are ordered to pay child support or have orders to receive it, they may have questions about how an out-of-state move will affect those orders. The truth is, all states are required to uphold family law orders, even if they were granted in another state. So, child support orders issued in Ohio or elsewhere will still stand regardless of where each parent lives now or in the future.

What makes this possible? The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act allows states to enforce child support orders, regardless of where the orders were written. For those trying to collect support from a former spouse who relocated out of state, this means that they can seek enforcement assistance from the payer's new state of residence. A few enforcement options available include:

• Wage garnishment
• Prosecution
• Tax refund interception
• Personal and professional license suspension

There are no set instructions for raising children. One Ohio family's needs may be quite different than another. However, when it comes to family law issues, such as divorce, there are certain practical ideas that are applicable in most situations that can help children come to terms with divorce and adapt to their new lifestyles in a healthy manner. 

One of the best things a parent who is concerned about his or her children in divorce can do is to make sure he or she is reaching out for support as needed. If a parent's emotions are all over the place, and a mother or father lacks the emotional energy or stability needed to be a source of support to children, it may have a negative effect on the whole family. On the other hand, when children witness their parent taking steps toward closure and emotional healing, they are more likely to follow suit regarding their own feelings.