Is it true that a peace officer may force entry to check welfare after an infant is crying and there is no response at the door?

• A. False
• B. Not At All
• C. Only With a Warrant
• D. True

Answer: (D)

In welfare checks, officers may enter without a warrant when there are exigent circumstances—specifically, a real risk of imminent harm to a child. If an infant is crying inside and there’s no response at the door, a reasonable belief can form that the child may be in distress or danger. Delaying entry to obtain a warrant could expose the child to further harm, so the officer may use force if necessary to ensure the child’s welfare. The entry should be limited to what’s needed to assess and secure safety, and unneeded force should be avoided. This is why the statement is true: in such urgent situations, forcible entry to check welfare is permitted without a warrant.