What is the punishment for deserting your child with the intention of not supporting her/his child in Idaho?

Full question:

My neighbor is a single parent. Last Sunday he left his kid on the streets, and then refused to take the child back inside the house. I don’t know what’s wrong with the neighbor but he says he doesn’t want to keep his child with him. Can I complain against my neighbor?

• Category: Minors
• Subcategory: Child Support
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Idaho

Answer:

If your neighbor left his child with the intention of not supporting the child any further then you can file a complaint against him. For not supporting his child, your neighbor may face up to one year imprisonment.

Idaho Code § 18-401 says:

“Desertion and nonsupport of children or spouse
Every person who:
 (1) Having any child under the age of eighteen (18) years dependent upon him or her for care, education or support, deserts such child in any manner whatever, with intent to abandon it;
(2) Willfully omits, without lawful excuse, to furnish necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical attendance for his or her child or children, or ward or wards; provided however, that the practice of a parent or guardian who chooses for his child treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone shall not for that reason alone be construed to be a violation of the duty of care to such child;
 (3) Having sufficient ability to provide for a spouse's support, or who is able to earn the means for such spouse's support, who willfully abandons and leaves a spouse in a destitute condition, or who refuses or neglects to provide such spouse with necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical attendance, unless by the spouse's misconduct he or she is justified in abandoning him or her;
Shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($ 500), or by imprisonment for not to exceed fourteen (14) years, or both.”