N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 77-n: Role of prosecutor or public official

§ 77-n. Role of prosecutor or public official. 1. In a case arising

under this article or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil

Aspects of International Child Abduction, the prosecutor or other

appropriate public official may take any lawful action, including resort

to a proceeding under this title or any other available civil proceeding

to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child

custody determination if there is:

(a) an existing child custody determination;

(b) a request to do so from a court in a pending child custody

proceeding;

(c) a reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or

(d) a reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or

retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of

International Child Abduction.

2. A prosecutor or appropriate public official acting under this

section acts on behalf of the state or local government entity and may

not represent any private party.