Full question:
I'm 12 years and live in Missouri. I'm an adopted son of my parents and five years after the adoption, a biological son was born to them. Thereafter they started neglecting me. They were not providing any financial support to me.
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Support
- Date:
- State: Missouri
Answer:
In Missouri, your parents may be committing the offense of nonsupport. This means they are legally obligated to provide you with adequate support, which they have failed to do. This failure can be classified as a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail.
According to Missouri law (R.S.Mo. § 568.040), a parent commits nonsupport if they knowingly fail to provide adequate support for their child. The law defines 'support' to include food, clothing, lodging, and medical care. If the total amount of unpaid support exceeds twelve monthly payments, it could escalate to a class E felony.
Parents can be prosecuted in the county where you lived during the time they failed to support you or where they reside. If you believe you are being neglected, it may be beneficial to seek legal advice or contact local authorities for assistance.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.