NRS432.207. Warrant to take physical custody of missing child: Application to court by Children’s Advocate; contents of application; determinations by court relating to exigent circumstances; hearings; issuance; notice of execution to court by Children’s Advocate.

      1.  The Children’s Advocate or his or her designee may apply to the court for a warrant to take physical custody of a missing child if, during an investigation of the missing child, it appears that there is probable cause to believe that:

      (a) An act of abduction has been committed against the child; and

      (b) The act of abduction was not committed to protect:

             (1) The child from continued abuse or neglect or from a bona fide and imminent threat of abuse or neglect; or

             (2) The person who allegedly abducted the child from continued domestic violence or a bona fide and imminent threat of domestic violence.

      2.  In filing the application for a warrant, the Children’s Advocate and his or her designee acts on behalf of the court and not on behalf of any party.

      3.  The application must include, without limitation:

      (a) The name of the person having legal custody of the child;

      (b) The name of the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction of the child;

      (c) The name of the person alleged to have possession of the child, if different from the person described in paragraph (b);

      (d) A statement of the facts and circumstances pertaining to the abduction of the child;

      (e) A statement indicating whether, to the knowledge of the applicant after reasonable investigation under the circumstances, the child, the person having legal custody of the child, the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction or the person alleged to have possession of the child has been:

             (1) The subject of an investigation of alleged abuse or neglect of a child or domestic violence;

             (2) A party to a proceeding concerning the alleged abuse or neglect of a child, an act of abduction of a child or domestic violence; or

             (3) A party against whom an order for protection against domestic violence was issued;

      (f) A statement indicating which court, if any, has exercised jurisdiction over the custody or welfare of the child;

      (g) A copy of the most recent child custody determination, if any, concerning the child, or if there is no such determination, a statement as to the legal basis for the custody of the child; and

      (h) A declaration made under oath and penalty of perjury that every factual representation made in the application is true and correct to the best of the knowledge of the applicant.

      4.  The court may, in its discretion, supplement the allegations made in the application with the sworn testimony of the applicant at a hearing before the court. Any such testimony must be recorded and preserved in the records of the court.

      5.  If an application is filed pursuant to this section:

      (a) The Children’s Advocate or his or her designee may not be assessed a filing fee for the application; and

      (b) Any proceedings regarding the application must be expedited by the court.

      6.  If the court determines that no exigent circumstances exist in relation to the issuance of the warrant, the court:

      (a) Shall hold a hearing before it issues the warrant;

      (b) Shall provide, or ensure that the Children’s Advocate or his or her designee provides, notice of the hearing to the custodial parent, the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction and, if different, the person alleged to have possession of the child;

      (c) If the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction or, if different, the person alleged to have possession of the child is present at the hearing or otherwise appears at the hearing, may:

             (1) Order such person to return the child in accordance with the determination of the court regarding the placement of the child; and

             (2) Issue the warrant in accordance with subsection 9; and

      (d) If the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction and, if different, the person alleged to have possession of the child received notice but are not present at the hearing, do not otherwise appear at the hearing and do not submit statements to the court, may issue the warrant in accordance with subsection 9.

      7.  If the court determines that exigent circumstances exist in relation to the issuance of the warrant, including, without limitation, that the child is in imminent danger of being removed from this State or in imminent danger of serious physical harm, the court may issue the warrant after an ex parte hearing. If the court issues the warrant after an ex parte hearing:

      (a) The court shall afford the custodial parent, the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction and, if different, the person alleged to have possession of the child an opportunity to be heard at the earliest possible time after the warrant is executed, but not later than 48 hours after the warrant is executed unless a hearing within that period is impossible. If a hearing within that period is impossible, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible.

      (b) The Children’s Advocate or his or her designee shall provide notice of the hearing to be held pursuant to paragraph (a) to the custodial parent, the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction and, if different, the person alleged to have possession of the child.

      8.  The custodial parent of the child, the person alleged to have committed the act of abduction and, if different, the person alleged to have possession of the child may:

      (a) Appear at a hearing held pursuant to subsection 6 or 7 in person, by telephone or by video; and

      (b) Submit written statements to the court electronically or by other means.

      9.  If, after a hearing held pursuant to subsection 6 or 7, as applicable, the court:

      (a) Determines that there is probable cause to believe that an act of abduction has been committed against the child and that the act of abduction was not committed for the protection of the child or the person who allegedly abducted the child as described in subsection 1, the court may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child; or

      (b) Finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the act of abduction of the child was committed for the protection of the child or the person who allegedly abducted the child as described in subsection 1, the court shall:

             (1) Assume temporary emergency jurisdiction of the matter and shall enter a temporary emergency order for the custody of the child which is in the best interest of the child and which is sufficient to protect the safety and welfare of all interested persons; and

             (2) Provide in the order a period of time which the court considers adequate and within which the person seeking the emergency order may obtain an initial or modified child custody determination regarding the child from a court that has jurisdiction to enter such an order.

      10.  A warrant issued by the court pursuant to this section:

      (a) Must set forth findings of fact that establish probable cause for believing that an act of abduction occurred and that the act of abduction was not committed for the protection of the child or the person who allegedly abducted the child as described in subsection 1;

      (b) Must direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child and deliver the child in accordance with the determination of the court regarding the placement of the child;

      (c) Must specify the property that may be searched and the child who may be seized pursuant to the warrant;

      (d) Must authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property as described in paragraph (c) to take physical custody of the child;

      (e) Must order that the child be returned to his or her legal custodian unless such placement is not in the best interest of the child; and

      (f) Is enforceable throughout this State.

      11.  As soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 24 hours after a law enforcement officer executes a warrant issued pursuant to this section, the Children’s Advocate or his or her designee shall inform the court of the execution of the warrant.

      12.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Abduction” means the commission of an act described in NRS 200.310 to 200.340, inclusive, or 200.359.

      (b) “Abuse or neglect of a child” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 432B.020.

      (c) “Child custody determination” means a judgment, decree or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody or visitation with respect to a child. The term includes a permanent, temporary, initial and modification order.

      (d) “Court” means a court of this state authorized to establish, enforce or modify a child custody determination.

      (e) “Domestic violence” means the commission of any act described in NRS 33.018.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 2528)