Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.442 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026

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211.442. Definitions. — As used in sections 211.442 to 211.487, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms mean:

(1) "Child", an individual under eighteen years of age;

(2) "Minor", any person who has not attained the age of eighteen years;

(3) "Parent", a biological parent or parents of a child, as well as, the husband of a natural mother at the time the child was conceived, or a parent or parents of a child by adoption, including both the mother and the putative father of a child. The putative father of a child shall have no legal relationship unless he, prior to the entry of a decree under sections 211.442 to 211.487, has acknowledged the child as his own by affirmatively asserting his paternity.

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(L. 1978 H.B. 972 § 1, A.L. 1982 H.B. 1171, et al., A.L. 1985 H.B. 366, et al.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 65 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1978–2025 · leading case: State Ex Rel. T.A.B. v. Corrigan, 600 S.W.2d 87 (Mo. Ct. App. 1980).

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State Ex Rel. T.A.B. v. Corrigan, 600 S.W.2d 87 (Mo. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 9× “Section 211.442 provides as follows: “As used in sections 211.”

J. B. B. v. Baby Girl S. ex rel. Deiter, 611 S.W.2d 359 (Mo. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 11× “3 § 211.442. Appellant belatedly raised the question of the unknown father’s constitutional rights in his motion for a new trial; he made no constitutional objections at trial, either in his pleadings or orally.”

In Interest of B----M----P, 704 S.W.2d 237 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 6× “1984, a separate petition was filed with respect to each of five minors, § 211.442(1), RSMo Cum.Supp. 1984, to terminate the parental rights of their parents, § 211.”

In the Interest of A.r.t., R.A.T. v. Greene Cnty. Juv. Off., Petitioner-respondent, & Missouri Dep't of Soc. Servs., Child.'s Div., 496 S.W.3d 610 (Mo. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 5× “What Appellant is essentially arguing is that the court lacked authority to terminate his parental rights because he was not a “parent” as defined in § 211.442, which provides: “Parent”, a biological parent or parents of a child, as well as, the husband of a natural mother at…”

Lampton v. Boone Cnty. Juv. Officer, 719 S.W.2d 790 (Mo. 1986). · cites it 9× “Appellant contends that sections 211.442, RSMo Supp.1985, defining the term “parent,” and 211.”

Taylor v. Taylor, 47 S.W.3d 377 (Mo. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “Gary responded by filing a motion on May 4, 2000, seeking leave to file amended objections, arguing that the judgment of modification was void, as the modification court failed to follow the statutory requirements of §§ 211.442 to 211.487, RSMo, before entering its judgment…”

In the Interest of S.A.M., 703 S.W.2d 603 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 2× “” It should be observed that appellant makes no claim that the termination proceeding did not comply fully with the requirements of §§ 211.442 to 211.492. The trial court did find that S.”

B.S. v. A.O., 70 S.W.3d 579 (Mo. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “The hearing on such proposed termination is to be conducted in accordance with §§ 211.442 to 211.487. Section 211.447.5 states that the juvenile court may terminate the parental rights of a parent to a child upon a petition filed by the juvenile officer, or, in adoption cases,…”

S.M. v. E.M.B.R., 332 S.W.3d 793 (Mo. 2011). · cites it 2× “443, the legislature explicitly stated how the termination of parental rights provisions of chapter 211 should be construed: The provisions of sections 211.442 to 211.487 shall be construed so as to promote the best interests and welfare of the child as determined by the…”

In Interest of HJP, 669 S.W.2d 264 (Mo. Ct. App. 1984). · cites it 2× “2 is followed by "Section 211.442(2)(b)" rather than 211.447.”

State Ex Rel. J. D. S. v. Edwards, 574 S.W.2d 405 (Mo. 1978). · cites it 2× “§ 211.442 of the new statute addresses the rights of the putative father as follows: As used in this act `parent' means a biological parent or parents of a child, as well as the husband of a natural mother at the time the child was conceived, or a parent or parents of child by…”

State v. M.B., 738 S.W.2d 128 (Mo. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 3× “Section 211.442, RSMo 1986, defines child as “.”

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— Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.442(1) — 2 cases

In Interest of B----M----P, 704 S.W.2d 237 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). “1984, a separate petition was filed with respect to each of five minors, § 211.442(1), RSMo Cum.Supp. 1984, to terminate the parental rights of their parents, § 211.”

In the Interest of B_ M_ P, 704 S.W.2d 235 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986).

— Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.442(2) — 3 cases

Roe v. Ross, 701 S.W.2d 799 (Mo. Ct. App. 1985).

In the Interest of B_ M_ P, 704 S.W.2d 235 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986).

— Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.442(2)(b) — 2 cases

In Interest of HJP, 669 S.W.2d 264 (Mo. Ct. App. 1984). “2 is followed by "Section 211.442(2)(b)" rather than 211.447.”

Hutchinson v. C.A.P., 669 S.W.2d 264 (Mo. Ct. App. 1984).

— Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.442(3) — 2 cases

In the Interest of A.r.t., R.A.T. v. Greene Cnty. Juv. Off., Petitioner-respondent, & Missouri Dep't of Soc. Servs., Child.'s Div., 496 S.W.3d 610 (Mo. Ct. App. 2016). “What Appellant is essentially arguing is that the court lacked authority to terminate his parental rights because he was not a “parent” as defined in § 211.442, which provides: “Parent”, a biological parent or parents of a child, as well as, the husband of a natural mother at…”

Lampton v. Boone Cnty. Juv. Officer, 719 S.W.2d 790 (Mo. 1986). “Appellant contends that sections 211.442, RSMo Supp.1985, defining the term “parent,” and 211.”

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