Oregon Statutes 419B.152 – Protective custody of runaway child
(1) If it reasonably appears that a child is a runaway, the child may be taken into protective custody by a peace officer, counselor, employee of the Department of Human Services or any other person authorized by the juvenile court of the county in which the child is found.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 419B.152
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
(2) When a child is taken into protective custody as a runaway under subsection (1) of this section, the peace officer or other person who takes the child into custody:
(a)(A) Shall release the child without unnecessary delay to the custody of the child’s parent or guardian or to a shelter care facility that has agreed to provide care and services to runaway children and that has been designated by the juvenile court to provide such care and services; or
(B) Shall follow the procedures described in ORS § 419B.160, 419B.165, 419B.168 and 419B.171;
(b) Shall, if possible, determine the preferences of the child and the child’s parent or guardian as to whether the best interests of the child are better served by placement in a shelter care facility that has agreed to provide care and services to runaway children and that has been designated by the juvenile court to provide such care and services or by release to the child’s parent or guardian; and
(c) Notwithstanding ORS § 419B.165 and subsection (1) of this section, shall release the child to a shelter care facility that has agreed to provide care and services to runaway children and that has been designated by the juvenile court to provide such care and services if it reasonably appears that the child would not willingly remain at home if released to the child’s parent or guardian. [2019 c.594 § 2; 2019 c.594 § 2a]