19 GCA § 5107: Petition to Court to Act; Contents.

Whenever any person informs the court that a child is within the purview of this Chapter, the court shall make a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the interest of the public or of the child requires that further action be taken. Thereupon the court may make such informal adjustment as is practicable without a petition, or may authorize a petition to be filed by any person. If informal adjustments are made, they may be made only with the consent of the juvenile and any other parties who may be involved in the carrying out of such informal adjustments. The petition and all subsequent documents shall be entitled “in the interest of _______________, a minor.”

The petition shall be verified and may be upon information and belief. It shall set forth plainly:

(a) the facts which bring the child within the purview of this Chapter;

(b) the name, age and residence of the child;

(c) the names and residences of the parents, if known;

(d) the name and residence of the legal guardian, if any, of the person or persons having custody or control of the child, or of the nearest known relative if no parent or guardian can be found. If any of the facts herein required are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall so state.