(1) Whosoever tortures or seriously abuses or by maliciously neglecting his duty of care for a person damages the health of a person under eighteen years of age or a person who is defenceless due to frailty or illness and who
1. is in his care or custody;
2. belongs to his household;
3. has been placed under his control by the person obliged to provide care; or
4. is subordinated to him within a relationship of employment,
shall be liable to imprisonment from six months to ten years.
(2) The attempt shall be punishable.
(3) The penalty shall be imprisonment of not less than one year if the offender places the person in danger of
1. death or serious injury; or
2. a substantial impairment of his physical or mental development.
(4) In less serious cases under subsection (1) above the penalty shall be imprisonment from three months to five years, in less serious cases under subsection (3) above imprisonment from six months to five years.