232.79A Children without adult supervision.

If a peace officer determines that a child does not have adult supervision because the child’s parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of the child has been arrested and detained or has been unexpectedly incapacitated, and that no adult who is legally responsible for the care of the child can be located within a reasonable period of time, the peace officer shall attempt to place the child with an adult relative of the child, an adult person who cares for the child, or another adult person who is known to the child. The person with whom the child is placed is authorized to give consent for emergency medical treatment of the child and shall not be held liable for any action arising from giving the consent. Upon the request of the peace officer, the department shall assist in making the placement. The placement shall not exceed a period of twenty-four hours and shall be terminated when a person who is legally responsible for the care of the child is located and takes custody of the child. If a person who is legally responsible for the care of the child cannot be located within the twenty-four hour period or a placement in accordance with this section is unavailable, the provisions of section 232.79 shall apply. If the person with whom the child is placed charges a fee for the care of the child, the fee shall be paid from funds provided in the appropriation to the department for protective child care.

90 Acts, ch 1215, §2