568.175. Trafficking in children, penalty.
You can’t buy or sell children for adoption
This law makes it a crime to offer or exchange money or anything of value for a child in connection with adoption or giving up parental rights, unless it follows legal adoption rules.
1. A person or organization breaks this law if they give, receive, offer, or ask for money or anything valuable in return for:
- Delivering a child to someone for adoption, or
- Getting a parent to agree to adoption or give up parental rights.
2. It is not a crime if the payment or actions are allowed under Missouri’s legal adoption laws (chapter 453).
3. This offense is a class D felony.
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