452.905. Role of prosecutor or public official. - Missouri Statutes

Role of prosecutor or public official.

452.905. 1. In a case arising under sections 452.700 to 452.930 orinvolving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International ChildAbduction, the appropriate public official may take any lawful action,including resort to a proceeding under sections 452.850 to 452.915 or anyother available civil proceeding to locate a child, obtain the return of achild or enforce a child custody determination if there is:

(1) An existing child custody determination;

(2) A request from a court in a pending child custody case;

(3) A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or

(4) A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed orretained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects ofInternational Child Abduction.

2. A prosecutor or an appropriate public official shall act on behalfof the court and shall not represent any party to a child custodydetermination.

(L. 2009 H.B. 481)