Sec. 266.4. (a) “Parent or legal guardian or custodian” means the following, except as provided in subsection (b):

(1) A parent having legal custody of a child.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 16-18-2-266.4

  • 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.
(2) The biological father of a child who is married to the mother of the child:

(A) if the mother of the child has legal custody of the child; and

(B) even if the father does not have legal custody of the child.

(3) The legal guardian of a child.

(4) The legal custodian of a child.

     (b) The term does not include:

(1) the department of correction, if wardship of the child is transferred to the department for housing in a correctional facility for children;

(2) a community based correctional facility for children, if wardship of the child is transferred to the correctional facility for children; or

(3) a secure juvenile facility, if wardship is transferred to the secure juvenile facility.

If an entity described in this subsection has wardship, the person described in subsection (a) who had legal custody of the child (or, in the case of a father described in subsection (a)(2), was married to a mother with legal custody) at the time wardship was transferred is the parent, legal guardian, or custodian of the child unless a court has terminated that person’s legal custody or guardianship rights.

As added by P.L.173-2017, SEC.1.