(a) When any child has been placed in any institution organized for the purpose of maintaining, supporting, and educating orphans or destitute children, with the consent of its parents, guardian, or custodian, no parent, guardian, or other person shall have the right to take the child from the institution against the consent of the institution or those in charge of the institution, except by habeas corpus proceedings, in which it shall appear that it is in the best interest of the child to take it from the institution.

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class A misdemeanorup to 11 monthsup to $2,500
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 71-3-304

  • 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.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) This section shall apply to all institutions, whether corporations or mere voluntary societies or associations.
(c) Any person taking or attempting to take any child from any institution, in violation of this section, commits a Class A misdemeanor, and shall be fined or imprisoned or both, in the discretion of the court.
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