Texas Penal Code

§ 25.06 — HARBORING RUNAWAY CHILD

PE § 25.06Title 6. OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY · Ch. 25. OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

Statute text

(a)A person commits an offense if he knowingly harbors a child and he is criminally negligent about whether the child:

(1)is younger than 18 years; and

(2)has escaped from the custody of a peace officer, a probation officer, the Texas Youth Council, or a detention facility for children, or is voluntarily absent from the child's home without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a substantial length of time or without the intent to return.

(b)It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor was related to the child within the second degree by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code.

(c)It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor notified:

(1)the person or agency from which the child escaped or a law enforcement agency of the presence of the child within 24 hours after discovering that the child had escaped from custody; or

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Legislative history

Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1155, ch. 558, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4750, ch. 831, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 561, Sec. 40, eff. Aug. 26, 1991. Renumbered from Sec. 25.07 by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(27), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.