Statutes | Mescalero Apache Tribal Code Chapter 10 Section 4 ยงยง 10-4-3 | 2021
Any person who shall refuse or neglect to furnish food, shelter or care, or abandon those dependent upon him, including any dependent children born out of wedlock, shall be deemed guilty of an offense and upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to labor or imprisonment for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both such imprisonment and fine with costs, in extreme or habitual cases. It shall be mandatory that prior to sentencing the Court shall order a pre-sentencing investigation by the B.I.A. Social Services Branch and obtain a report containing recommendations to the Court. The Court may in its discretion award custody of dependents to any responsible person, or tribal, county, state or federal agency, and require the offender to contribute to the support of said dependent person or persons, and may appoint a guardian of the person or estate of said dependents temporarily pending final determination of the case or permanently after hearing recommendations.