A government official or prosecutor can take legal steps to find a child, get a child back, or enforce a custody order in certain situations — like when a custody order already exists, a court asks for help, or there is reason to believe a law was broken or a child was wrongfully taken. When they do this, they work for the court, not for either parent or party involved in the custody case.
452.905. Role of or public official. — 1. In a case arising under sections 452.700 to 452.930 or involving the , the public official may take any lawful , including to a under sections 452.850 to 452.915 or any other available to locate a child, obtain the of a child or a if there is:
(1) An existing child custody determination;
(2) A request from a court in a pending child case;
(3) A reasonable belief that a criminal has been violated; or
(4) A reasonable belief that the child has been in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
2. A prosecutor or an appropriate public official shall act on behalf of the court and shall not represent any to a child custody determination.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2009 H.B. 481)
Related Missouri laws
Appeals
RSMo 452.900
Role of law enforcement
RSMo 452.910
Recognition and enforcement
RSMo 452.895
Costs and expenses
RSMo 452.915
Costs, fees, and expenses
RSMo 452.890
Application and construction
RSMo 452.920
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.