Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Kansas Statutes Chapter 21. Crimes and Punishments § 21-5938. Failure to report disappearance or death of child; penalties

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Failure to report the disappearance of a child is knowingly failing to report to a law enforcement officer, law enforcement agency or state investigative agency, as soon as practically possible, the disappearance of a child under the age of 13 by a parent, legal guardian or caretaker when:

(1) Such person knows or reasonably should know that such child has been missing, with the intent to conceal the commission of a crime, other than a violation of this subsection; or

(2) such person knows that such child is missing and has reason to believe that such child is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.

(b)(1) Failure to report the death of a child is knowingly failing to promptly report the death of a child to a law enforcement officer, law enforcement agency or state investigative agency, with the intent to conceal the commission of a crime, other than a violation of this subsection, by a:

(A) Parent, legal guardian or caretaker; or

(B) person required to make a report as provided in subsection (a) of K.S.A. 38-2223, and amendments thereto, unless such person is a parent, legal guardian or caretaker.

(2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply when the child's death has been reported by another person or is otherwise known by a law enforcement officer, law enforcement agency or state investigative agency.

(c)(1) Failure to report the disappearance of a child is a severity level 8, nonperson felony.

(2) Failure to report the death of a child as defined in:

(A) Subsection (b)(1)(A) is a severity level 8, nonperson felony; and

(B) subsection (b)(1)(B) is a class B nonperson misdemeanor.

(d) As used in this section, “caretaker” means a person 16 years of age or older that had willfully assumed responsibility for the care of a child at the time of the child's disappearance or death.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Kansas Statutes Chapter 21. Crimes and Punishments § 21-5938. Failure to report disappearance or death of child; penalties - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ks/chapter-21-crimes-and-punishments/ks-st-sect-21-5938/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard