Maine · Maine Revised Statutes — Title 17-A, Maine Criminal Code
Me. Rev. Stat. (Criminal Code) § 553: Abandonment of child
What this law says, in plain English
A parent or guardian commits a crime by intentionally abandoning a child under 14, or under 6, or by transferring custody to a nonrelative without court approval. Class C violations are more serious than Class D violations.
Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.
MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.
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.