R.I. Gen. Laws § 14-3-2: Proceedings to declare child in care of orphanage dependent or neglected.

If the parents of any child in the care of an institution are dead, and the child has no guardian, or if any child shall have been maintained by an institution for the space of one year without aid in its support from its parents or guardian, or demand for its custody by either parent or guardian, the child may be proceeded against as a dependent or neglected child by petition to the family court under the provisions of chapter 1 of this title.