Jones v. U.S.
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Facts: Jones was supposed to be caring for a 10-month-old infant. Jones neglected to do so and the baby died.
Procedural History.: D was found guilty initially
Issue: can Jones be found liable?
Holding: only if he was being paid to care for the infant.
Reasons: legal duty for care must be found. There are 4 possible scenarios in which this legal duty can be found:
- statute imposes duty
- one stands on a certain status relationship to another
- one has assumed a contractual duty to care for another
- one has voluntarily assumed the care of another and so secluded the helpless person as to prevent others from rendering aid.
Scenario #3 is the only possible one under which Jones could be found liable. If trial ct. finds that he was in a contract to care for the infant, then he is liable for its death.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded.
Comments: Lower ct. must find out if there was a contract (written, oral, or implied) tto care for the imfant.
