R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-2-1 (2026)

Abandonment or nonsupport of spouse or children

✓ current as of July 2026
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Every person who shall abandon his or her spouse or children, leaving them in danger of becoming a public charge, or who shall neglect to provide according to his or her means for the support of his or her spouse or children, or who shall neglect or refuse to aid in the support of his or her spouse and/or children, except as otherwise provided for in § 11-2-1.1, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months.

[See § 12-1-15 of the General Laws.]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2001–2022 · leading case: State v. Pelz, 765 A.2d 824 (R.I. 2001).
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State v. Pelz, 765 A.2d 824 (R.I. 2001). · cites it 2× “Misdemeanor criminal sanctions for abandonment or nonsupport are provided for in G.L.1956 § 11-2-1: "Abandonment or nonsupport of spouse or children.”
Rafael Diaz-Rodriguez v. Merrick Garland, 12 F.4th 1126 (9th Cir. 2021). “Code §§ 14-07-15 North Dakota (abandonment), 14-09-22 (abuse and neglect) R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-2-1 Rhode Island (abandonment), 11-9-5 (cruelty and neglect), 11-9-5.”
Rafael Diaz-rodriguez v. Merrick Garland (9th Cir. 2022). “Code §§ 14-07-15 (abandonment), 14-09-22 (abuse and neglect) Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-2-1 (abandonment), 11-9-5 (cruelty and neglect), 11- 9-5.”
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