2023 Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXXVIII – Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders
Chapter 568 – Offenses Against the Family
Missouri Chapter 568: Offenses Against the Family
Chapter 568 of the Missouri Revised Statutes covers crimes that involve abuse, neglect, or harm to family members—especially children. These laws are frequently used in cases involving child endangerment, criminal nonsupport, incest, and abandonment. While some charges may stem from misunderstandings or custody disputes, they carry serious legal and social consequences, including potential felony convictions.
What Chapter 568 Covers
- Child abuse, neglect, endangerment, and abandonment
- Criminal nonsupport and failure to provide for a child
- Bigamy, incest, and trafficking in children
- Genital mutilation and other specific forms of harm
Click a statute below to learn what the law says, what the prosecution must prove, and what penalties may apply under Missouri family offense statutes.
Chapter 568 Statutes Explained
- Overview: Chapter 568 – Offenses Against the Family
- § 568.010 – Bigamy
- § 568.020 – Incest
- § 568.030 – Child Abandonment (First Degree)
- § 568.032 – Child Abandonment (Second Degree)
- § 568.040 – Criminal Nonsupport
- § 568.045 – Endangering the Welfare of a Child (First Degree)
- § 568.050 – Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree)
- § 568.060 – Abuse or Neglect of a Child
- § 568.065 – Genital Mutilation of a Female Child
- § 568.175 – Trafficking in Children
Accused of a Family-Related Offense?
Missouri prosecutors take child-related and family offense charges seriously, and even a first-time allegation can lead to a felony record, loss of custody, or mandatory reporting. If you’re facing charges under Chapter 568—or being investigated—it’s critical to get legal help right away. Contact Combs Waterkotte online or call (314) 900-HELP for a confidential consultation with an experienced Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
