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Florida Statute 827.10 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 827.10 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 827.10 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
827.10 Unlawful desertion of a child.
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Care” means support and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health, including, but not limited to, food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision, medicine, and medical services that a prudent person would consider essential for the well-being of the child.
(b) “Caregiver” has the same meaning as provided in s. 39.01.
(c) “Child” means a child for whose care the caregiver is legally responsible.
(d) “Desertion” or “deserts” means to leave a child in a place or with a person other than a relative with the intent not to return to the child and with the intent not to provide for the care of the child.
(e) “Relative” has the same meaning as provided in s. 39.01.
(2) A caregiver who deserts a child under circumstances in which the caregiver knew or should have known that the desertion exposes the child to unreasonable risk of harm commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) This section does not apply to a person who surrenders an infant in compliance with s. 383.50.
(4) This section does not preclude prosecution for a criminal act under any other law, including, but not limited to, prosecution of child abuse or neglect of a child under s. 827.03.
History.s. 41, ch. 2014-224; s. 8, ch. 2024-213.

Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 827.10

M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd
§827.10(2)NEGLECT CHILDUNLAWFUL DESERTION OF A CHILDF · 3rd

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This Florida statute resource is curated by a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney, a Jacksonville, Florida criminal defense attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 827 matters in the context of child abuse defense and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.