# Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-202: Timely report of missing child - Offense of failure to report missing child - Defense - False allegation of failure to report > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-202 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-202 - **Heading:** Timely report of missing child - Offense of failure to report missing child - Defense - False allegation of failure to report - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 10 / Section 37-10-202 ## Text (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whenever a parent knows, learns, or believes that a child under the parent's charge and care is missing, the parent shall report the child as being missing to a law enforcement agency or the Tennessee bureau of investigation. (b) Whenever the parent knows, learns, or believes that a minor child under the parent's charge and care is missing, the parent shall make the report under subsection (a) within a reasonable time after determining that the child is missing, but in no event more than twenty-four (24) hours after determining that the child is missing. As used in this section, "minor child" means a person who is twelve (12) years of age or younger. (c) (1) A parent who is subject to the duty imposed by subsection (b) commits the offense of failure to report a missing child if the parent fails to make, or fails to cause to be made, the report required under subsection (b) with intentional or reckless disregard for the safety of the minor child. (2) Failure to report a missing child is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) This section does not prohibit prosecution under any other law. (e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the parent made reasonably diligent efforts to verify the whereabouts and safety of the minor child during the period of any delay in making the report required by subsection (b). (f) A person who knowingly makes a false allegation against a parent of failure to report a missing child as required by this section, in addition to any other penalties provided for by law, may be prosecuted for the offense of false reports under § 39-16-502 , and the court may order the accuser to pay all litigation expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees, discretionary costs, and other costs incurred by the wrongly accused party in defending against the false allegation. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 107, s 2, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 1985, ch. 158, § 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whenever a parent knows, learns, or believes that a child under the parent's charge and care is missing, the parent shall report the child as being missing to a law enforcement agency or the Tennessee bureau of investigation. (b) Whenever the parent knows, learns, or believes that a minor child under the parent's charge and care is missing, the parent shall make the report under subsection (a) within a reasonable time after determining that the child is missing, but in no event more than twenty-four (24) hours after determining that the child is missing. As used in this section, "minor child" means a person who is twelve (12) years of age or younger. (c) (1) A parent who is subject to the duty imposed by subsection (b) commits the offense of failure to report a missing child if the parent fails to make, or fails to cause to be made, the report required under subsection (b) with intentional or reckless disregard for the safety of the minor child. (2) Failure to report a missing child is a Class A misdemeanor. (1) A parent who is subject to the duty imposed by subsection (b) commits the offense of failure to report a missing child if the parent fails to make, or fails to cause to be made, the report required under subsection (b) with intentional or reckless disregard for the safety of the minor child. (2) Failure to report a missing child is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) This section does not prohibit prosecution under any other law. (e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the parent made reasonably diligent efforts to verify the whereabouts and safety of the minor child during the period of any delay in making the report required by subsection (b). he safety of the minor child. (2) Failure to report a missing child is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) This section does not prohibit prosecution under any other law. (e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the parent made reasonably diligent efforts to verify the whereabouts and safety of the minor child during the period of any delay in making the report required by subsection (b). (f) A person who knowingly makes a false allegation against a parent of failure to report a missing child as required by this section, in addition to any other penalties provided for by law, may be prosecuted for the offense of false reports under § 39-16-502 , and the court may order the accuser to pay all litigation expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees, discretionary costs, and other costs incurred by the wrongly accused party in defending against the false allegation. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 107, s 2, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 1985, ch. 158, § 2. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-101 Recovery for injury or damage by juvenile](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-102 Limitation on amount of recovery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-103 Circumstances under which parent or guardian liable](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-201 Short title - Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-202 Timely report of missing child - Offense of failure to report missing child - Defense - False allegation of failure to report](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-202.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-203 Formal missing child report - Entry of report into NCIC](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-203.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-204 Reports to juvenile court judge - Missing child order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-204.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-205 Forms - File of missing children - Monthly reports of missing children - Dissemination of information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-205.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-206 Child fingerprint cards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-206.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-207 Children's fingerprint card file](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-207.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-208 Impact upon interstate compact on juveniles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-208.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-209 Distribution of materials concerning missing children - Solicitation of contributions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-209.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-301 Legislative intent and findings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-301.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-302 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-302.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-202. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.