State Codes and Statutes
Statutes >
Iowa >
Title-6 >
Subtitle-5 >
Chapter-232 >
232-79a
232.79A CHILDREN WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.
If a peace officer determines that a child does not have adult
supervision because the child's parent, guardian, or other person
responsible for the care of the child has been arrested and detained
or has been unexpectedly incapacitated, and that no adult who is
legally responsible for the care of the child can be located within a
reasonable period of time, the peace officer shall attempt to place
the child with an adult relative of the child, an adult person who
cares for the child, or another adult person who is known to the
child. The person with whom the child is placed is authorized to
give consent for emergency medical treatment of the child and shall
not be held liable for any action arising from giving the consent.
Upon the request of the peace officer, the department shall assist in
making the placement. The placement shall not exceed a period of
twenty-four hours and shall be terminated when a person who is
legally responsible for the care of the child is located and takes
custody of the child. If a person who is legally responsible for the
care of the child cannot be located within the twenty-four hour
period or a placement in accordance with this section is unavailable,
the provisions of section 232.79 shall apply. If the person with
whom the child is placed charges a fee for the care of the child, the
fee shall be paid from funds provided in the appropriation to the
department for protective child care. Section History: Recent Form
90 Acts, ch 1215, §2
