537.07 ENDANGERING CHILDREN.
   (a)   No person, who is the parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in loco parentis of a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally or physically handicapped child under twenty-one years of age, shall create a substantial risk to the health or safety of the child, by violating a duty of care, protection or support. It is not a violation of a duty of care, protection or support under this subsection when the parent, guardian, custodian or person having custody or control of a child treats the physical or mental illness or defect of the child by spiritual means through prayer alone, in accordance with the tenets of a recognized religious body.
   (b)   No person shall abuse a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally or physically handicapped child under twenty-one years of age.
   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of endangering children, a misdemeanor of the first degree, if the violation of this section does not result in serious physical harm to the child involved, or if the offender has not previously been convicted of an offense under this section, Ohio R.C. 2919.22 or of any offense involving neglect, abandonment, contributing to the delinquency of or physical abuse of a child. (ORC 2919.22)