IC 35-46-1-5 — Nonsupport of a dependent child
Chapter 1. Offenses Against the Family
Bills citing this section
- HB 12492026Signed into law
Various criminal law matters.
- SB 802026Signed into law
Code publication.
- SB 1712026Signed into law
Family and children matters.
- SB 2512026Passed chamber
OWI penalties.
- HB 11182026Passed chamber
Expungement.
- SB 1302026In committee
Firearm storage.
- HB 10212026In committee
Firearm storage.
Section text
Sec. 5. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally fails to provide support to the person's dependent child commits nonsupport of a child, a Level 6 felony. However, the offense is a Level 5 felony if the person has a previous conviction under this section. (b) It is a defense that the child had abandoned the home of the child's family without the consent of the child's parent or on the order of a court, but it is not a defense that the child had abandoned the home of the child's family if the cause of the child's leaving was the fault of the child's parent. (c) It is a defense that the accused person, in the legitimate practice of the person's religious belief, provided treatment by spiritual means through prayer, in lieu of medical care, to the person's dependent child. (d) It is a defense that the accused person was unable to provide support.
As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.6. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.88; Acts 1978, P.L.144, SEC.9; P.L.213-1996, SEC.4; P.L.123-2001, SEC.4; P.L.158-2013, SEC.552; P.L.148-2014, SEC.1.
Source: official publisher (2026 edition)