KRS § 620.350 — KY Code / Title LI / Chapter 620 / Section 620.350
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
Status: in_force

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.

(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.