---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-7-4. Criteria for loss of parental custody.
collection: code
id: 19-7-4
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-7-4 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-7-4
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-7-4.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-7-4/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=700
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
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heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / PARENT AND CHILD RELATIONSHIP GENERALLY / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-7-4. Criteria for loss of parental custody.

If a child is found under circumstances of destitution and suffering, abandonment, or exposure or if the child has been begging or if it is found that the child is being reared under immoral, obscene, or indecent influences which are likely to degrade his moral character and devote him to a vicious life and it appears to the appropriate court by competent evidence, including such examination of the child as may be practicable, that by reason of the neglect, habitual drunkenness, lewd or other vicious habits, or other behavior of the parents or guardians of the child, it is necessary for the welfare of the child to protect the child from such conditions, the court may order that the parents or guardians be deprived of custody of the child and that appropriate measures as provided by law be taken for the welfare of the child.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 1746; Code 1868, § 1786; Code 1873, § 1795; Ga. L. 1878-79, p. 162, § 1; Code 1882, §§ 1795, 4612g; Civil Code 1895, §§ 2504, 2505; Civil Code 1910, §§ 3023, 3024; Code 1933, §§ 74-109, 74-110.

## Cross References

Restriction on jurisdiction of probate court under this Code section, § 15-9-30(a)(6).

Termination of parental rights, § 15-11-260 et seq.

## Law Reviews

For article, “Custody Disputes and the Proposed Model Act,” see 2 Ga. L. Rev. 162 (1968).

For comment on Bodrey v. Cape, 120 Ga. App. 859, 172 S.E.2d 643 (1969), see 7 Ga. St. B.J. 256 (1970).

For article, “The Child as a Party in Interest in Custody Proceedings,” see 10 Ga. St. B.J. 577 (1974).

For article criticizing parental rights doctrine and advocating best interests of child doctrine in parent-third party custody disputes, see 27 Emory L.J. 209 (1978).

For comment on “Grandparents’ Visitation Rights in Georgia,” see 29 Emory L.J. 1083 (1980).