Indiana § 31-19-9-10 - Parent's crime against child or child's sibling; effect on consent requirement
Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 31-19-9-10 — Parent's crime against child or child's sibling; effect on consent requirement, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-19-9-10. Parent's crime against child or child's sibling; effect on consent requirement
Sec. 10. A court shall determine that consent to adoption is not required from a parent if:
(1) the parent is convicted of and incarcerated at the time of the filing of a petition for adoption for:
(A) murder (IC 35-42-1-1);
(B) causing suicide (IC 35-42-1-2);
(C) voluntary manslaughter (IC 35-42-1-3);
(D) rape (IC 35-42-4-1);
(E) criminal deviate conduct (IC 35-42-4-2) (before its repeal);
(F) child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3) as a:
(i) Class A or Class B felony, for a crime committed before July 1, 2014; or
(ii) Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 felony, for a crime committed after June 30, 2014;
(G) incest (IC 35-46-1-3) as a:
(i) Class B felony, for a crime committed before July 1, 2014; or
(ii) Level 4 felony, for a crime committed after June 30, 2014;
(H) neglect of a dependent (IC 35-46-1-4) as a:
(i) Class B felony, for a crime committed before July 1, 2014; or
(ii) Level 1 or Level 3 felony, for a crime committed after June 30, 2014;
(I) battery (IC 35-42-2-1) of a child as a:
(i) Class C felony, for a crime committed before July 1, 2014; or
(ii) Level 5 felony, for a crime committed after June 30, 2014;
(J) battery (IC 35-42-2-1) as a:
(i) Class A or Class B felony, for a crime committed before July 1, 2014; or
(ii) Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 felony, for a crime committed after June 30, 2014;
(K) domestic battery (IC 35-42-2-1.3) as a Level 5, Level 4, Level 3, or Level 2 felony; or
(L) aggravated battery (IC 35-42-2-1.5) as a Level 3 or Level 1 felony;
(2) the child or the child's sibling, half-blood sibling, or step-sibling of the parent's current marriage is the victim of the offense; and
(3) after notice to the parent and a hearing, the court determines that dispensing with the parent's consent to adoption is in the child's best interests.
[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-1-6(m).]
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.222-2001, SEC.1; P.L.158-2013, SEC.310; P.L.214-2013, SEC.23; P.L.168-2014, SEC.38; P.L.65-2016, SEC.13; P.L.210-2019, SEC.4; P.L.142-2020, SEC.37.
Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 31-19-9-10
What does Indiana Code § 31-19-9-10 cover?
Section 31-19-9-10 ("Parent's crime against child or child's sibling; effect on consent requirement") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Indiana § 31-19-9-10?
A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 31-19-9-10" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Indiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.
How does Indiana § 31-19-9-10 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.