Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-15: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-15

The Department of Child Protection Services shall maintain a registry of children whose custody lies with them and private or public agencies licensed by the department. The registry shall contain classifications of children as:

(a) Temporary custody for evaluation, not to exceed three (3) months;

(b) Temporary custody not to exceed one (1) year with the plan to return custody to the natural parents;

(c) Temporary custody, not to exceed two (2) years, with a plan to free for adoption;

(d) Children freed for adoption;

(e) Children ages fourteen (14) and above who have voluntarily chosen not to be adopted and cannot be returned to their own homes; and

(f) Children who are institutionalized and for whom placement in an adoptive home is not feasible.