West Virginia Code 49-6-103 – Information to clearinghouse; definitions
(a) The Department of Health and Human Resources and every law-enforcement agency in West Virginia shall provide to the clearinghouse or another investigating law-enforcement agency any information that would assist in locating or identifying a missing child.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 49-6-103
- child: means an individual who meets one of the following conditions:
(A) Is under thirteen years of age. See West Virginia Code 49-1-202
- Custodian: means a person who has or shares actual physical possession or care and custody of a child, regardless of whether that person has been granted custody of the child by any contract or agreement. See West Virginia Code 49-1-204
- Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
(b) For purposes of this article:
(1) “Missing and endangered child” means any missing child for which there are substantial indications the child is at high risk of harm or in immediate danger, and rapid action is required, including, but not limited to:
(A) Physically or mentally disabled and dependent upon an agency or another individual for care;
(B) Under the age of 13;
(C) Missing under circumstances which indicate the child’s safety may be in danger; or
(D) A foster child and has been determined a missing and endangered child by the Department of Health and Human Resources.
(2) “Missing child” means any child under the age of 18 whose whereabouts are unknown to the child’s legal custodian.