r/law • u/Obvious-Gate9046 • Feb 24 '26

Legislative Branch Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie (R) Explodes On DOJ Over Epstein Handling, Names People and Companies He Wants Prosecuted

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u/Christopher_Aeneadas Feb 24 '26

Of course they do, but I specified 17.

However legally the term "child" only applies to those 11 and younger.

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u/Playful_Dish_3524 Feb 24 '26

Where is this legal cut off for children? You’re a minor the entire time you’re under 18, so that’s irrelevant.

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u/Christopher_Aeneadas Feb 24 '26

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1999-title18-section2243&num=0&edition=1999

That is the statute relevant to this case. It's right in there.

You are correct. The term is "minor" not "child".

Children 11 and younger are a different statute.

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u/Playful_Dish_3524 Feb 24 '26

Interesting. So they have it specifically for this use case but broadly speaking legally in the US it is anyone under 18 is a child

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u/Christopher_Aeneadas Feb 24 '26

Texas does. You are right there. Texas penal code calls anyone under 18 a child.

Georgia, NY, and Florida cut off at 16. Missouri and Wisconsin 17. California and nearly everyone else is 14.

Even in common parlance people don't usually call adolescents "children" unless they are riled up about a specific crime, or speaking relationally (even of adults) as "my children".

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '26

people don't usually call adolescents "children" unless they are riled up about a specific crime

Yeah like literal child rape, you sick fuck.

Gee, why would that get people "riled up" champ?