District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 4-1303.04. Services authorized; custodial placement; removal of child.

(1) Notice is left for the parent or custodian which shall state the procedure for reclaiming the child;

(2) Efforts continue to locate the parent;

(3) The child is returned forthwith upon the request of the parent or custodian, unless there is additional evidence of immediate danger to the child and police action is taken pursuant to § 16-2309(3) or (4); and

(4) A complaint alleging neglect is filed with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia:

(1) Remove the child with the consent of the parent, guardian, or other person acting in loco parentis;

(2) Request the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia to petition the Family Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for a finding of abuse or neglect and, where appropriate, the removal of the child; and

(3) Request the police to remove the child when the consent of a parent, guardian or other custodian cannot be obtained and the need to protect the child does not allow sufficient time to obtain a court order.