California · Penal Code

PEN §157: Every person to whom an infant has been confided for nursing, education, or any other purpose, who, with intent to deceive any parent or guardian of that child, substitutes or produces to that parent

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A person who substitutes or produces a different child to a parent/guardian with intent to deceive, when caring for another's child, is punishable by imprisonment of two to four years.

Read the full statutory text

Every person to whom an infant has been confided for nursing, education, or any other purpose, who, with intent to deceive any parent or guardian of that child, substitutes or produces to that parent or guardian another child in the place of the one so confided, is punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for two, three or four years.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.