(A) In a case arising under this article or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the prosecutor may take any lawful action, including resorting to a proceeding under this subarticle or any other available civil proceeding to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child custody determination if there is:

(1) an existing child custody determination;

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Terms Used In South Carolina Code 63-15-378

  • Child: means an individual who has not attained eighteen years of age. See South Carolina Code 63-15-302
  • Child custody determination: means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child. See South Carolina Code 63-15-302
  • Child custody proceeding: means a proceeding in which legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child is an issue. See South Carolina Code 63-15-302
  • Court: means an entity authorized under the law of a state to establish, enforce, or modify a child custody determination. See South Carolina Code 63-15-302
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

(2) a request to do so from a court in a pending child custody proceeding;

(3) a reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or

(4) a reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

(B) A prosecutor acting under this section acts on behalf of the court and may not represent any party.