{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-371.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-371.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-371.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-371.html"}],"law_id":350873,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350873,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371","catch_line":"Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-14; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1981, cc. 397, 568; 1990, c. 797; 1991, c. 295; 1993, c. 411; 2003, cc. 816, 822; 2006, c. 935; 2008, cc. 174, 206; 2014, c. 794; 2015, cc. 502, 503; 2022, cc. 80, 81.","full_text":"Any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i) willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or abused or neglected as defined in \u00a7 16.1-228 or (ii) engages in consensual sexual intercourse or anal intercourse with or performs cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed as repealing, modifying, or in any way affecting \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-18, 18.2-19, 18.2-61, 18.2-63, and 18.2-347.\n\nIf the prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or emergency medical services agency, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child within the first 30 days of the child’s life to (a) a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services, (b) an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical services personnel, or (c) a newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child’s safety.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1307059,"text":"Any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i) willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or abused or neglected as defined in \u00a7 16.1-228 or (ii) engages in consensual sexual intercourse or anal intercourse with or performs cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed as repealing, modifying, or in any way affecting \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-18, 18.2-19, 18.2-61, 18.2-63, and 18.2-347.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1307060,"text":"If the prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or emergency medical services agency, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child within the first 30 days of the child’s life to (a) a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services, (b) an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical services personnel, or (c) a newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child’s safety.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":50182,"edition_id":2,"name":"Family Offenses; Crimes Against Children, etc","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50176,"metadata":{"child_laws":22,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:15","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:24","permalink":{"id":1394755,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50182,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/8\/4","url":"\/18.2\/8\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50176,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":8,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":145,"child_structures":10},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:01","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:23","permalink":{"id":1394395,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50176,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350850,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-362","catch_line":"Person marrying when spouse is living; penalty; venue","url":"\/18.2-362\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-362","metadata":false},{"id":350851,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-363","catch_line":"Leaving Commonwealth to evade law against bigamy","url":"\/18.2-363\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-363","metadata":false},{"id":350852,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-364","catch_line":"Exceptions to \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-362 and 18.2-363","url":"\/18.2-364\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-364","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Cole v. Commonwealth","case_number":"0320102","citation":"712 S.E.2d 759","date":"2011-08-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1061894\/cole-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 712 S.E.2d 759 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Stuart v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record No. 1335-88-1","citation":"397 S.E.2d 533","date":"1990-10-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1262369\/stuart-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 397 S.E.2d 533 (1990) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350853,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-365","catch_line":"Adultery defined; penalty","url":"\/18.2-365\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-365","metadata":false},{"id":350854,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-366","catch_line":"Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties","url":"\/18.2-366\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-366","metadata":false},{"id":350855,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-367","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-367\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-367","metadata":false},{"id":350856,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-368","catch_line":"Placing or leaving spouse for prostitution; penalty","url":"\/18.2-368\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-368","metadata":false},{"id":350857,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-369","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults; penalties","url":"\/18.2-369\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-369","metadata":false},{"id":350867,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties","url":"\/18.2-370\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370","metadata":false},{"id":350860,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.01","catch_line":"Indecent liberties by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.01","metadata":false},{"id":350861,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.1","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties","url":"\/18.2-370.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.1","metadata":false},{"id":350862,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.2","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.2","metadata":false},{"id":350863,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.3","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting residing in proximity to children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.3\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.3","metadata":false},{"id":350864,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.4","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting working on school property; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.4\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.4","metadata":false},{"id":350865,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.5","catch_line":"Offenses prohibiting entry onto school or other property; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.5\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.5","metadata":false},{"id":350866,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.6","catch_line":"Penetration of mouth of child with lascivious intent; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.6\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.6","metadata":false},{"id":350873,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371","catch_line":"Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant","url":"\/18.2-371\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371","metadata":false},{"id":350868,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.1","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant","url":"\/18.2-371.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.1","metadata":false},{"id":350869,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.2","catch_line":"Prohibiting sale or distribution, etc. of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by persons under 21 years of age; civil penalties","url":"\/18.2-371.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Kozmina v. Com.","case_number":"092395","citation":"706 S.E.2d 860","date":"2011-03-04","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058069\/kozmina-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 706 S.E.2d 860 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"N.T.A. v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"2006242","citation":null,"date":"2026-04-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10838746\/nta-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Moreau v. Fuller","case_number":"Record 062688.","citation":"661 S.E.2d 841","date":"2008-06-06","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058476\/moreau-v-fuller\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY Justice DONALD W. LEMONS. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"DeAmicis v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 1240-98-1","citation":"514 S.E.2d 788","date":"1999-05-25","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1335400\/deamicis-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 514 S.E.2d 788 (1999) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350870,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.2:1","catch_line":"Prohibiting possession of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age; seizure","url":"\/18.2-371.2_1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":350871,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.3","catch_line":"Tattooing or body piercing of minors","url":"\/18.2-371.3\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.3","metadata":false},{"id":350872,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.4","catch_line":"Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles","url":"\/18.2-371.4\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":350866,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.6","catch_line":"Penetration of mouth of child with lascivious intent; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.6\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":350868,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.1","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant","url":"\/18.2-371.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-371\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1981, chapters 397 and 568; in 1990, chapter 797; in 1991, chapter 295; in 1993, chapter 411; in 2003, chapters 816<\/a> and 822<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 935<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 174<\/a> and 206<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 794<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 502<\/a> and 503<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 80<\/a> and 81<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":347527,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; waiver","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1705\/"},{"id":347529,"section_number":"15.2-1707","catch_line":"Decertification of law-enforcement officers and jail officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1707\/"},{"id":349649,"section_number":"16.1-278.5","catch_line":"Children in need of supervision","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.5\/"},{"id":350862,"section_number":"18.2-370.2","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-370.2\/"},{"id":351155,"section_number":"18.2-67.5:1","catch_line":"Punishment upon conviction of third misdemeanor offense","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.5_1\/"},{"id":351554,"section_number":"19.2-271.2","catch_line":"Testimony of spouses in criminal cases (Subsection (b) of Supreme Court Rule 2:504 derived from this section)","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-271.2\/"},{"id":351939,"section_number":"19.2-8","catch_line":"Limitation of prosecutions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-8\/"},{"id":354562,"section_number":"22.1-258","catch_line":"Appointment of attendance officers; notification when pupil fails to report to school; plan; conference; court proceedings","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-258\/"},{"id":354573,"section_number":"22.1-265","catch_line":"Inducing children to absent themselves","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-265\/"},{"id":355731,"section_number":"24.2-233","catch_line":"Removal of elected and certain appointed officers by courts","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-233\/"},{"id":375367,"section_number":"63.2-1503","catch_line":"Local departments to establish child-protective services; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1503\/"},{"id":375397,"section_number":"63.2-1530","catch_line":"Virginia Child Protection Accountability System","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1530\/"},{"id":376980,"section_number":"8.01-226.5:2","catch_line":"Immunity of hospital and emergency medical services agency personnel for the acceptance of certain infants","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-226.5_2\/"},{"id":378742,"section_number":"9.1-902","catch_line":"Offenses requiring registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-902\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":349546,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":350401,"section_number":"18.2-18","catch_line":"How principals in second degree and accessories before the fact punished","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-18\/"},{"id":350425,"section_number":"18.2-19","catch_line":"How accessories after the fact punished; certain exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-19\/"},{"id":350827,"section_number":"18.2-347","catch_line":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; \"bawdy place\" defined; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-347\/"},{"id":351136,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":351139,"section_number":"18.2-63","catch_line":"Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-63\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1394821,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350873,"identifier":"18.2-371","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371","url":"\/18.2-371\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-371\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371","dublin_core":{"Title":"Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-371","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i) willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or abused or neglected as defined in \u00a7 16.1-228<\/a> or (ii) engages in consensual sexual intercourse or anal intercourse with or performs cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. This section shall not be construed as repealing, modifying, or in any way affecting \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-18<\/a>, 18.2-19<\/a>, 18.2-61<\/a>, 18.2-63<\/a>, and 18.2-347<\/a>.<\/p>

If the prosecution<\/span> under this section is based solely on the accused<\/span> parent having left the child at a hospital or emergency medical services agency, it shall be an affirmative defense<\/span> to prosecution<\/span> of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child within the first 30 days of the child’s life to (a) a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services, (b) an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical services personnel, or (c) a newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency. In order<\/span> for the affirmative defense<\/span> to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child’s safety.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCAUSING OR ENCOURAGING ACTS RENDERING CHILDREN DELINQUENT, ABUSED, ETC.;\nPENALTY; ABANDONED INFANT (\u00a7 18.2-371)\n\nAny person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i)\nwillfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition\nthat renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or\nabused or neglected as defined in \u00a7 16.1-228 or (ii) engages in consensual\nsexual intercourse or anal intercourse with or performs cunnilingus, fellatio,\nor anilingus upon or by a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild\nis guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed as\nrepealing, modifying, or in any way affecting \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-18, 18.2-19, 18.2-61,\n18.2-63, and 18.2-347.\n\nIf the prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent\nhaving left the child at a hospital or emergency medical services agency, it\nshall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section\nthat such parent safely delivered the child within the first 30 days of the\nchild’s life to (a) a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services,\n(b) an attended emergency medical services agency that employs emergency medical\nservices personnel, or (c) a newborn safety device located at and operated by\nsuch hospital or emergency medical services agency. In order for the affirmative\ndefense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated\nto ensure the child’s safety.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-14; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1981, cc. 397,\n568; 1990, c. 797; 1991, c. 295; 1993, c. 411; 2003, cc. 816, 822; 2006, c. 935;\n2008, cc. 174, 206; 2014, c. 794; 2015, cc. 502, 503; 2022, cc. 80, 81.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}