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Terms Used In Iowa Code 709.13

  • Child: includes child by adoption. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • 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.
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
 During or following an investigation into allegations of violations of this chapter or of chapter 726 or 728 involving an alleged victim under the age of eighteen and an alleged offender who is not a person responsible for the care of the alleged victim, anyone with knowledge of the alleged offense may file a complaint pursuant to section 232.83 alleging the alleged victim to be a child in need of assistance as defined under section 232.2. In all cases, the complaint shall be filed by any peace officer with knowledge of the investigation when the peace officer has reason to believe that the alleged victim may require treatment as a result of the alleged offense and that the alleged victim’s parent, guardian, or custodian will be unwilling or unable to provide the treatment.