Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXVIII. Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders § 565.167. Custody of child--peace officer to take child into protective custody, when

1. A peace officer investigating a report of a violation of section 565.150, or section 565.153 or 565.156, may take the child into temporary protective custody if it reasonably appears to the officer that any person unlawfully will flee the jurisdictional territory with the child.

2. If during the course of an investigation under section 565.150, or section 565.153 or 565.156, the child is found in the physical custody of the defendant or another, the law enforcement officer shall return the child to the parent or legal custodian from whom the child was concealed, detained or removed, unless there is good cause for the law enforcement officer to retain temporary protective custody of the child pursuant to section 210.125.