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Legal Information: District of Columbia

Custody

Laws current as of August 30, 2024

If my child was conceived from a sexual assault, can the biological father get custody or visitation?

If your child was conceived as the result first degree sexual abuse, second degree sexual abuse, or child sexual abuse against you, the biological father cannot be granted legal custody or physical custody of the child, or visitation with the child.  Note: The biological father must be convicted in criminal court of the crime in order for this law to apply.  However, the biological father can still be responsible to pay child support for the child even if he cannot see the child.1

1 D.C. Code § 16-914(k)