Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Kentucky Revised Statutes Title LI. Unified Juvenile Code § 620.350.Abandoned newborn infant; emergency custody order; no investigation of abandonment; placement in foster home; inquiry to ensure that infant is not missing child; involuntary termination of parental rights

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

(1) As used in this section, “newborn infant” means an infant who is medically determined to be less than thirty (30) days old.

(2) Upon notice from any emergency medical services provider or hospital staff that a newborn infant has been abandoned at a hospital, the cabinet shall immediately seek an order for emergency custody of the infant.

(a) No child protective services investigation or assessment shall be initiated regarding the abandonment of an infant in accordance with KRS 405.075. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply when indicators of child physical abuse or child neglect are present.

(b) Upon the infant's release from the hospital, the cabinet shall place the child in a foster home approved by the cabinet to provide concurrent planning placement services. As used in this paragraph, “concurrent planning placement services” means the foster family shall work with the cabinet on reunification with the birth family, if known, and shall seek to adopt the infant if reunification cannot be accomplished.

(3) At the temporary removal hearing required by KRS 620.080, if the court places temporary custody with the cabinet, the custody order shall remain in effect for a minimum of thirty (30) days.

(4) During the initial thirty (30) days of placement, the cabinet shall request assistance from law enforcement officials to investigate through the Missing Child Information Center established by KRS 17.450 and other national resources to ensure that the infant is not a missing child.

(5) As soon as practicable following the thirty (30) day placement period, the cabinet shall file a petition in Circuit Court seeking the involuntary termination of parental rights of the unknown parents and authority to place the child for adoption in accordance with KRS Chapter 625.

(6) If a claim of parental rights is made at any time prior to the court order issued under KRS 625.100, the Circuit Court may hold the action for involuntary termination of parental rights in abeyance for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days and immediately remand the case to the District Court.

(a) If a case is remanded to District Court under this subsection, an adjudicatory hearing shall be conducted as required by KRS 620.100 within ten (10) days of the assertion of parental rights;

(b) The District Court may order genetic testing to establish maternity or paternity at the expense of the claimant;

(c) The cabinet shall conduct a child protective services investigation or assessment and home evaluation to develop recommendations for the District Court; and

(d) Further proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 620; however, a newborn infant who has been placed in accordance with KRS 405.075 shall not be found to be a neglected child based on that act alone.

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

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Kentucky Revised Statutes Title LI. Unified Juvenile Code § 620.350.Abandoned newborn infant; emergency custody order; no investigation of abandonment; placement in foster home; inquiry to ensure that infant is not missing child; involuntary termination of parental rights - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ky/title-li-unified-juvenile-code/ky-rev-st-sect-620-350/

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