§ 9-5-102

(a) The General Assembly declares that: (1) Minor children are not capable of protecting themselves; and (2) When a parent has relinquished the care of the parent’s minor child to others, there is a possibility of certain risks to the child that require compensating measures. (b) It is the policy of the State: (1) To protect minor children whose care has been relinquished to others by the child’s parent; (2) To resolve doubts in favor of the child when there is a conflict between the interests of a minor child and the interests of an adult; and (3) To encourage the development of child care services for minor children in a safe, healthy, and home–like environment.