Ind. Code ch. 31-36-2

in effect

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-0.5 Missing juvenile as high risk missing person

Sec. 0.5. A missing juvenile is a high risk missing person under IC 5-2-17. A law enforcement agency receiving a report of a missing juvenile shall follow the procedures in IC 5-2-17 in addition to the procedures described in this chapter. As added by P.L.92-2007, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-1 Time for instituting investigation

Sec. 1. A law enforcement agency shall begin an investigation concerning the missing child not later than twenty-four (24) hours after receiving notification that the child is missing. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-13-3(b).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-2 Investigatory duties of law enforcement agency

Sec. 2. A law enforcement agency involved in the investigation of a missing child shall do the following: (1) Update the initial report filed by the agency that received notification of the missing child upon the discovery of new information concerning the investigation. (2) Forward the updated report to the agencies and organizations listed in IC 31-36-1-3. (3) Search the National Crime Information Center's Wanted Person File for reports of arrest warrants issued for persons who allegedly abducted or unlawfully retained children and compare these reports to the missing child's National Crime Information Center's Missing Person File. (4) Notify all law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, the Indiana clearinghouse for information on missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults, and the National Crime Information Center when the missing child is located. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-13-4(c).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.43-2009, SEC.23; P.L.40-2024, SEC.31.

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-3 Dental records; examination; copies

Sec. 3. (a) If a child has: (1) been reported missing to a law enforcement agency; and (2) not been located within thirty (30) days after the report was made to the law enforcement agency; the law enforcement agency conducting the investigation of the missing child may request a parent or guardian of the missing child to provide written consent for the law enforcement agency to examine a copy of the missing child's dental records. (b) A dentist receiving a request from a law enforcement agency with written consent provided under subsection (a) shall provide a copy of the missing child's dental records to the law enforcement agency. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-13-7.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-4 Fingerprint records; release; destruction

Sec. 4. (a) A state or local governmental agency or a public or private organization maintaining a record of the fingerprints of a child shall release a copy of that record to a law enforcement agency if: (1) the child is a missing child (as defined in IC 10-13-5-4); (2) a parent or guardian of the child provides written consent for the release of the record; and (3) the law enforcement agency requests a copy of the record. (b) Except as provided in IC 31-39-5, a record of the fingerprints of a child taken and retained by a state or local governmental agency shall be destroyed when the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-13-8.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.2-2003, SEC.78.

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-5 Arrest warrant issuance for persons abducting or unlawfully retaining child; reporting requirements

Sec. 5. (a) If an arrest warrant is issued for a person who has allegedly abducted or unlawfully retained a missing child, the law enforcement agency issuing the warrant shall immediately enter all identifying information regarding the person into the National Crime Information Center's Wanted Person File. (b) Upon entering the warrant information into the National Crime Information Center's Wanted Person File, the agency shall update the report in the National Crime Information Center's Missing Person File. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-13-9.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 31-36-2-6 Notification upon finding missing child

Sec. 6. When a law enforcement agency is notified that a child for whom that agency prepared a report under IC 31-36-1-1 has been found, that agency shall promptly notify the persons described in IC 31-36-1-3 and IC 31-36-1-4. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-13-5.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.19.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026