Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 2 07/22 (New 6/10)
Protective Custody
I. Policy
Deputies may place children into protective custody, without a warrant, in
accordance with State and Federal law. Examples include the fol lowing
circumstances:
A. Deputies may place children into protect ive custody who have recently
suffered serious physical or sex ual harm, or will imminently su ffer serious
physical or sexual harm, inflict ed non-accidentally by the chil d's parent or
guardian. If serious physical or s erious sexual harm is not imm inent in the
time necessary for Child Protective Services to obtain a warran t then
deputies should refer the case to Child Protective Services.
B. Deputies may place children into protect ive custody who have recently
suffered serious physical or sex ual harm, or will imminently su ffer serious
physical or sexual harm, as a re sult of the failure or inabilit y of the parent
or guardian to adequately supervi se or protect the child. If se rious physical
or serious sexual harm is not i mminent in the time necessary fo r Child
Protective Services to obtain a warrant then deputies should re fer the
case to Child Protective Services.
C. Deputies may place children into protect ive custody who need emergency
medical treatment and no parent or guardian is available.
D. Deputies may place children into protective custody when the child is
under the age of five years and has suffered severe physical ab use by a
parent or guardian, or by any person known by the parent or gua rdian, if
the parent knew or should have known about the abuse. If contin ued
severe physical abuse is not immi nent in the time necessary for Child
Protective Services to obtain a warrant then deputies should re fer the
case to Child Protective Services.
E. Deputies may place children into protective custody when the child has
been left without any provision fo r support, the parent or guar dian has
been incarcerated or institutionalized and cannot arrange for t he care of
the child, or a relative or ot her custodian wit h whom the child resides or
has been left is unwilling to p rovide care or support.
F. Deputies may place children into protective custody when the child is a
dependant child of the juvenile court and the officer has reaso nable cause
Field Services Page 2 of 2 07/22 (New 6/10) for believing that the minor has v iolated an order of the juven ile court or
has left any placement ordered by the juvenile court.
G. Deputies may place children in to protective custody when the child is
found in any street or public place suffering from any sickness or injury
that requires care, medical treat ment, hospitalization, or othe r remedial
care.