# Tex. Family Code § 262.007: POSSESSION AND DELIVERY OF MISSING CHILD

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.007

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Family Code § 262.007
- **Heading:** POSSESSION AND DELIVERY OF MISSING CHILD
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code fa / Chapter 262 / Section 262.007

## Text

(a) A law enforcement officer who, during a criminal investigation relating to a child's custody, discovers that a child is a missing child and believes that a person may flee with or conceal the child shall take possession of the child and provide for the delivery of the child as provided by Subsection (b).

(b) An officer who takes possession of a child under Subsection (a) shall deliver or arrange for the delivery of the child to a person entitled to possession of the child.

(c) If a person entitled to possession of the child is not immediately available to take possession of the child, the law enforcement officer shall deliver the child to the Department of Family and Protective Services. Until a person entitled to possession of the child takes possession of the child, the department may, without a court order, retain possession of the child not longer than five days after the date the child is delivered to the department. While the department retains possession of a child under this subsection, the department may place the child in foster care. If a parent or other person entitled to possession of the child does not take possession of the child before the sixth day after the date the child is delivered to the department, the department shall proceed under this chapter as if the law enforcement officer took possession of the child under Section 262.104.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Family Code § 262.001 § 262.001. AUTHORIZED ACTIONS BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.001.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.002 § 262.002. JURISDICTION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.002.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.003 § 262.003. CIVIL LIABILITY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.003.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.004 § 262.004. ACCEPTING VOLUNTARY DELIVERY OF POSSESSION OF CHILD.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.004.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.005 § 262.005. FILING PETITION AFTER ACCEPTING VOLUNTARY DELIVERY OF POSSESSION OF CHILD.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.005.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.006 § 262.006. LIVING CHILD AFTER ABORTION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.006.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.007 § 262.007. POSSESSION AND DELIVERY OF MISSING CHILD.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.007.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.008 § 262.008. ABANDONED CHILDREN.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.008.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.009 § 262.009. TEMPORARY CARE OF CHILD TAKEN INTO POSSESSION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.009.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.010 § 262.010. CHILD WITH SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.010.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.011 § 262.011. PLACEMENT IN SECURE AGENCY FOSTER HOME.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.011.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.012 § 262.012. SEALING OF COURT RECORDS FILED ELECTRONICALLY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.012.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.013 § 262.013. VOLUNTARY TEMPORARY MANAGING CONSERVATORSHIP.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.013.md)
- [Tex. Family Code § 262.014 § 262.014. DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN EVIDENCE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.014.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cfa_C262_S262.007. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.