Tennessee Code 71-3-122 – Prosecution of deserting spouse or parent
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 71-3-122
- children: means :
(A) A person or persons under eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 71-3-103 - Department: means the department of human services. See Tennessee Code 71-3-103
- Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
- Dependent child: means , except as otherwise stated in this part, a child living with a caretaker relative if the child is deprived of parental support due to death of a parent, continued absence of a parent from the home, physical or mental incapacity of a parent, or unemployment or underemployment of either or both parents and if the child's legally responsible relatives are not able to provide adequate care and support of such child without temporary assistance. See Tennessee Code 71-3-103
- Family: means the eligible unit of children and parent or parents or caretaker relative or relatives residing in a common residence. See Tennessee Code 71-3-103
Whenever any dependent spouse or dependent child shall make an application to the county office of the department for an aid and services to needy families with children grant, and an investigation of the circumstances of the applicant reveals that the applicant was put in such needy circumstances by reason of the fact that the dependent spouse was deserted or abandoned by that spouse’s or the child’s parent, then it shall be the duty of the county office to notify the chief counsel of the department, whose duty it shall be to certify such fact to the prosecuting attorney of the county, who shall institute the necessary criminal proceedings against the spouse or parent who has deserted the dependent spouse or family.