HB 1263 -- Child Abandonment

Sponsor:  Gratz

This bill creates an affirmative defense to the crimes of
abandonment of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.  A
parent who leaves his or her child with a law enforcement
officer, medical care provider, or clergyman has a defense to
these crimes.  The child must be less than 30 days old, and the
parent must not have abused the child.  The person accepting the
child must notify the Division of Family Services as soon as
possible, and the division must take custody of the child within
six hours.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am