Louisiana § RS 14:403.8 - Failure to report the death of a child
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:403.8 — Failure to report the death of a child, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 14:403.8. Failure to report the death of a child
A. It shall be unlawful for a child's caretaker to fail to report to an appropriate authority the death of a child that occurs while the child is in the physical custody of the caretaker, within one hour of the caretaker's discovery of the child's death or one hour of the caretaker learning of the location of the child's body.
B. For purposes of this Section:
(1) "Appropriate authority" includes:
(a) A state or local law enforcement agency.
(b) A 911 Public Safety Answering Point as provided in Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
(c) The coroner of the parish in which the child's body is located.
(d) Emergency medical personnel.
(2) "Caretaker" means the child's parent, grandparent, guardian, or any person who, at the time of the child's death, has physical custody of the child.
(3) "Child" means any person under the age of seventeen years.
C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years.
D. The period of time in which a caretaker is required to report the death of a child as required by Subsection A of this Section shall be suspended for the period of time in which the caretaker is unable to make a report due to circumstances beyond the caretaker's control.
Acts 2012, No. 454, §1; Acts 2012, No. 477, §1, eff. June 3, 2012.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 14:403.8
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:403.8 cover?
Section RS 14:403.8 ("Failure to report the death of a child") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. 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 Louisiana § RS 14:403.8?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:403.8" (Louisiana). 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 Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 14:403.8 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana 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 Louisiana.